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Image of six copper pans hanging neatly on wooden pegs against a white wall, with text overlay reading “Firm Peg Donors Isaiah 22:23-24.”
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Firm Peg Donors

by Ron Haas
August 18, 2025

“I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honor for the house of his father. All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars” (Isaiah 22:23-24).

Eliakim son of Hilkiah was a servant of King Hezekiah whom the Lord promoted to the throne. Isaiah described Eliakim as a peg driven into a firm place. Householders hung their kitchen utensils on pegs in the wall. Something on its peg was in its proper place ready to be used. This unusual image illustrates the importance of preparing major donors who are firmly in place to support your ministry.

Open/Shut
Isaiah gave Eliakim the keys of David meaning “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Isa. 22:22). John used the same description for Jesus Christ (Rev. 3:8). When the Lord opens a door for your ministry, no one can shut it—yet many will try to stand in your way (1 Cor. 16:9). Major donors can help you unlock opportunities that others can’t. Share your passions for what you believe God is prompting you to solve. Help them see how they can lay up treasures in heaven by partnering with you.

Hang On
Firm pegs illustrate security. Eliakim was a strong leader on which Israel could rely. Having trusted major donors by your side gives you confidence to tackle new opportunities. If your key supporters endorse your direction, then you will succeed. Who will stand with you to open your next ministry door? Identify those major donors in a feasibility study as you consider a capital campaign.

Large/Small
Everything was held by a peg—from the large pans and pots to the small bowls and cups. Don’t think that just because you’re not a big ministry major donors won’t be interested in what you do. Major donors have room for more than one ministry on their giving list. Giving is based on relationships. Concentrate on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors already in your constituency.

Go Away
Eliakim was a “peg in a firm place” for a season. Eventually, he was broken off when Judah was finally sent into captivity (Isa. 22:25). Sometimes, when a major donor adopts a ministry, the ministry relies too heavily on that single donor. After more than ten years of giving $600,000 annually to a Christian school, a major donor decided to shift his giving priorities to other interests forcing the school to scramble to make up the lost revenue. Find more than one firm peg to hang onto.

Think About This: Robert Pierpont, from the Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, observes that in a capital campaign the ten largest gifts set the pace for success. If you don’t secure key leadership gifts, you can’t find enough small gifts to fill the gap. Pierpont remarked, “Once the big-gift-first sequence has been seriously violated, the entire program is in jeopardy.1” Focus your efforts on finding firm peg donors and hang your capital campaign on them.

Response: Father, please bring us key supporters who will partner with us to fulfill your mission.

1Pierpont, R. (2002). Capital Campaigns. Retrieved from The Fundraising School: http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/files/course_resources/capital_campaigns_pierpont.pdf

A sharpened axe embedded in a tree stump outdoors, with blurred trees and greenery in the background, accompanied by the words “Sharper Fundraising” and “Ecclesiastes 10:10” in bold white text on the right side.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Sharper Fundraising

by Ron Haas
August 12, 2025

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” Solomon and Abe understood the value of sharp tools. If your ax is dull, it takes much more time and energy to accomplish your task. This principle applies directly to fundraising. You can work hard but success comes to those who have sharpened their skills. Here are five ways to hone your fundraising edge.

Learn on the Job
God called Isaiah to become a prophet, “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword” (Isa. 49:1-2). Isaiah didn’t go to prophet’s school, God put his words in Isaiah’s mouth. If God has called you to fundraising, he will teach you what to say and how to say it (see Matt. 10:19-20).

Read a Book
Libraries are filled with great fundraising books and articles. Immerse yourself in Scripture so you can encourage donors, “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:18). Henry Nouwen’s classic, The Spirituality of Fundraising, will help you see asking and giving as acts of faith with eternal value.

Take a Class
There are many educational degrees, certificates, and informal workshops available for fundraising. One option to consider is the Certified Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) program from Christian Leadership Alliance. The training covers all aspects of leadership with a third of the required courses focused on fundraising.

Find a Friend
Fundraising is a high pressure job. Praise the Lord if you have a supportive board who actively participates in your fundraising efforts. If you feel alone, you need a fundraising friend with whom you can pray, share ideas, and encourage one another. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” (Prov. 27:17). Find a mentor and learn from their fundraising success.

Hire Help
Solomon didn’t have the skilled workers he needed to build the Temple, so he turned to Hiram for help. “So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.” (1 Kings 5:6). Solomon was wise to seek help in areas where he had no experience. Cutting down trees takes wisdom, skill, and insights that only come from experience. If you’ve never asked for money, hire an expert who can show you how to ask. It’s money well spent that will yield lasting results.

Think About This: Asking is a skill you learn by doing. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. Sharpen your message by rehearsing your presentation with a friend or in a small group.

Response: Lord, please sharpen my fundraising skills. Make me “useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).

A man in a suit pointing directly at the camera with a serious expression, set against a soft beige background; bold text on the right reads “SAY YOU, NOT ME! 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Say You, Not Me!

by Ron Haas
August 6, 2025

“We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Thessalonica was a short, but productive stop on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-8). The unbelieving Jews were so jealous of the gospel’s success, they ran Paul and Silas out of town. Though he left abruptly, he kept thinking about and praying for these friends and sent Timothy back to check on them (1 Thess. 3:1-2). We can learn much about our donor relationships from Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians.

Donor-Focused
We can hear Paul’s heart for these believers in the language he used. In 2 Thessalonians 1, he emphasized “you” and “your” seventeen times to express his love. He thanked God for them (vs. 3), boasted about their faith (vs. 4), gave them hope in God’s justice (vs. 5-10), and “constantly prayed for them” (vs. 11). Paul’s writing style should prompt us to incorporate more “you” phrases in our writing and conversations. Consider these phrases, “Your help is needed now more than ever,” or “You can fan the flames of revival,” or “We know you want to make a difference,” or “Your gift will last beyond your lifetime.” As you design marketing materials, focus on your donor—not you.

God-Focused
The Thessalonian believers were suffering under great persecution. Twice Paul asked God to make them “worthy of his calling” (vs. 5, 11). What an incredible encouragement it must have been to know that the Apostle Paul was constantly praying for them. Your donors are also experiencing trials of many kinds and you have the privilege of praying for them. Point them to the cross. Pray that God will bring relief and glorify himself (vs. 6, 12).

Donor Success
Paul prayed for God’s favor for his friends. Your donors desire to be good stewards of the resources God has given them. Paul prayed that their every good desire and every deed prompted by faith would become a reality. Know your donors well enough so you can pray effectively for their concerns. Pray for their businesses to thrive, their investments to yield amazing returns, and God’s blessing for a bountiful harvest. As they succeed, they will have more capacity to be generous.

Your Success
When Paul collected money for the poor in Jerusalem, he was reluctant to ask the Thessalonians because they were experiencing extreme persecution and poverty (2 Cor. 8:2). They surprised him and insisted that he receive their gifts so they could join him in serving others (2 Cor. 8:1-4). Generosity is not connected to a person’s net worth, but their heart. Cheerful givers want to make an eternal difference with their gifts (2 Cor. 9:7).

Think About This: Henry Blackaby wrote in Experiencing God, “Find out where God is at work and join him there.” When your donors see God working in your ministry, they will want to join you. Invite them to give, even if they are going through tough times.

Response: Lord, please teach me how to use more “you” language in our materials. May our donors experience the joy of giving through our ministry.

Blurry motion image of a red tram passing by pedestrians in an urban setting, with trees and a white building in the background; overlaid text reads “Luke 16:3 Ashamed to Beg.”
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Ashamed to Beg

by Ron Haas
July 21, 2025

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg” (Luke 16:3).

The shrewd manager in Jesus’s parable had mismanaged his master’s resources and was about to lose his job. He devised a cunning plan to offer discounts to his master’s creditors so they would owe him a favor when he was unemployed. His excuse for his scheme was simple—he wasn’t strong enough to dig ditches and he was ashamed to beg. Many nonprofit leaders can rattle off their reasons for not fundraising, “I’m too busy with other responsibilities,” “It’s not my job,” or “I’m not gifted with a fundraising personality.” Perhaps the real reason is, “I feel like fundraising is begging and I’m ashamed to beg.” Fundraising isn’t begging; it’s a higher calling. Jesus taught, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

Worldly Wealth
John Wesley’s simple money lesson was “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” As a fundraiser, you can influence believers to make good stewardship decisions. Your donors are in various stages of their Christian walk. Some understand their responsibility to wisely manage God’s resources. Unfortunately, others struggle with “the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19). Having money is not a sin, using it selfishly is.

Gain Friends
What does it mean to “use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself” (Luke 16:9)? Whom are these friends? Jesus explained in Matthew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” You must introduce the least of these brothers and sisters to your donors.

Eternal Dwellings
What joy to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:21). Imagine all the people in heaven who will thank your donors because of their generosity—those who were given something to eat and drink, had shelter and clothes, were cared for when they were sick, and were encouraged when they were in prison. You can help your donors experience this future blessing by asking them to participate in your mission now.

Love Money
“You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). God knows every heart; what he values and what we value can be two different things (Luke 16:15). Asking for a gift prompts your ministry partners to assess their priorities. Are they serving God or money? If they don’t give, it might be because it’s not the right project, the right amount, the right timing, or perhaps the Spirit is directing their gift to another ministry.

Think About This: Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). We should not be ashamed to ask our ministry partners to help advance the Gospel through their generous gifts.

Response: Father, help me challenge our donors to value what you value.

Silhouette of a person fishing from a small boat at sunset, with the sun low over calm ocean waters and a golden reflection across the sea. The text reads: "Vision Casting and Catching – 2 Samuel 23:15."
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Vision Casting and Catching

by Ron Haas
July 17, 2025

David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” (2 Samuel 23:15).

The Philistines were a constant thorn in David’s side. To add insult to injury, they set up shop in his hometown, Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:1). David dreamed of a different future and commented how wonderful it would be to again enjoy a cool drink from the well by the city gate. He didn’t have to say it twice. His three mighty men heard his desire and executed a flawless extraction mission to retrieve a skin of water from behind enemy lines. When they presented the water to David, he realized the risk they took to fulfill his dream and poured it out to the Lord as a drink offering. How can you cast a compelling vision to inspire your ministry partners to action? Consider these four principles.

Leadership
In his book Start with Why, Simon Sinek shares the story of two stonecutters. One hates his job and complains about lifting stones every day in the hot sun. Another replies, “I love my job! Sure, it’s backbreaking work but I’m building a cathedral!” Why do these two men with the exact same job have opposite perspectives? One caught the vision, one didn’t. David inspired his followers to a higher cause. Are you inspiring your donors to accomplish something that will last beyond their lifetimes?

Relationship
David didn’t release a statement to the press; this was quiet conversation with his close friends. Have you ever had a dream conversation with your close major donors to let them know what God is laying on your heart? Don’t take your ideas to your major donors wrapped up nicely in a bow. Invite your key friends into the conversation while you’re still formulating your ideas. Let them imagine the future with you.

Stewardship
David had proven himself on the battlefield and earned the respect of his followers. Trust is a critical component of leadership and followership. People must believe that you will do what you say you will do. Leadership is influencing others. As Spider-Man learned, “With great power comes great responsibility.” As a leader you have great influence over your donors’ giving priorities. Make sure your vision is worthy of their sacrificial giving.

Worship
These men risked their lives to bless David with a remarkable gift. The only thing David could do was to reflect the glory back to God. This is exactly how we should respond when people give sacrificially. “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor. 9:13).

Think About This: John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Inspire your donors to dream more, learn more about God’s vision for your ministry, give more, and become a vital part of your future.

Response: Lord, please help me understand your vision for what you want us to accomplish. Help me share it effectively with my ministry partners.

A large yellow excavator sits atop a heap of dirt and gravel under a clear sky. The text on the image reads 'What About the Heaps? – 2 Chronicles 31:9-10' in bold, brown letters.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

What About the Heaps?

by Ron Haas
July 9, 2025

Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps; and Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered, “Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because ” (2 Chronicles 31:9-10).

If you live in Corn Country, you will see an interesting sight during harvest. When local grain elevators max out their capacity, they store the grain in outdoor piles. These corn mountains can soar more than 60 feet high and cover a football field. Israel experienced a revival under King Hezekiah and God blessed the land with abundant harvests. Yet, the priests and Levites didn’t have enough to eat. When Hezekiah discovered this, he sent word to all Jerusalem and Judea. The people responded so generously with their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all their crops, the priests had to pile their gifts in heaps. Heaps don’t just happen but are a result of four factors.

Obedience
Hezekiah was a change agent who purified the Temple (2 Chron. 29), reestablished Passover (2 Chron. 30), and destroyed all the idols throughout Judah (2 Chron. 31). The people knew Hezekiah was making good choices. People don’t give in a vacuum. Poor ministry and business decisions usually negatively impact giving. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. When donors see that you are making good decisions and an eternal difference, they are much more likely to partner with you.

Leadership
For years the Temple worship had languished. Hezekiah cleaned up the mess and appointed leaders to faithfully serve. Your donors know when you are running a shoddy operation, and they know when all the trains are running on time. Hezekiah also showed leadership by his generosity. “The king contributed from his own possessions” (2 Chron 31:3). Others are motivated to give when leaders lead by their generous giving.

Asking
Hezekiah commanded the people to give the portion due to the priests and Levites (2 Chron. 31:4). Should you command your donors to give? Paul taught Timothy to, “Command those who are rich…to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:17-18). Giving shouldn’t be out of compulsion (see 2 Cor. 9:7). Don’t demand, but you should be direct. Share your needs, ask for a gift, and give your donors an opportunity to respond.

God’s Blessing
The priests noted, “the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over” (2 Chron. 31:10).  God blesses your donors so they can bless ministries like yours. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8). Pray for God’s abundant blessing on your donors so that they can “be generous on every occasion” (2 Cor. 9:11).

Think About This: The main reason we don’t experience “heaps” is because we don’t ask for them.

Response: Father, please “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it” (Malachi 3:10).

A group of young women walk outdoors along a sunlit path surrounded by trees and tall grass. The scene is warm and golden, suggesting late afternoon or early evening. The image is overlaid with the text "NextGen Donors" and "Exodus 1:8," indicating a focus on engaging the next generation in philanthropy.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

NextGen Donors

by Ron Haas
June 30, 2025

“Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt” (Exodus 1:8).

Joseph saved Egypt by saving grain during the seven good years of plenty and wisely managing the food supply during the seven years of famine. Many lives were spared because of his good stewardship (see Gen. 50:20). Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Joseph and his generation died. Pharaoh died and a new Pharaoh came to power. He saw the children of Israel as a growing threat and forced them into slavery.

Donor support doesn’t automatically pass from one generation to the next. Psalm 37:26 reminds us that the righteous, “are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.” Major donors often raise generous children, but if your ministry means nothing to those children, they will be a blessing to another charity instead. How can you keep the children of your major donors engaged after their parents or grandparents have passed to Glory? Consider these four strategies:

Include Them
If you’re not a school or university, you might not know the sons and daughters of your key donors. Major donors have many giving interests. Some do a great job of teaching their children to be generous and include them in their giving decisions, but many children and grandchildren are disconnected from your ministry. Encourage your donors to invite them to events. When they attend, introduce yourself and get to know them.

Interest Them
Everyone has personal giving motivations. The fact that their parents or grandparents supported your ministry is a plus, but retaining the next generation requires you to discover their individual giving interests. Perhaps your major donor loves sports, but the kids are interested in music. Discover what moves your younger donors and align your asks with their hearts. They might give a token gift for old times’ sake but could give an amazing gift to fund their passions.

Involve Them
Today’s donors are different than donors of the past. This generation doesn’t just want to give money, they want to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty with their time, talent, and treasure. They want to see results and are not necessarily loyal to institutions. Take advantage of this attitude and find ways to connect these donors with your ministry. Involved donors are generous donors.

Inspire Them
If you’re going to cultivate and keep the next generation of major donors, you must capture their hearts and minds. You must reinvent yourself with a “This is not your grandparent’s charity” attitude. Honor the past but take new ground for Christ. New problems need creative new solutions. In what innovative ways are you solving today’s problems?

Think About This: One Christian university developed an endowment strategy to attract younger donors. They ask major donors to establish an endowed scholarship in their children’s name. The minimum for this endowed scholarship is $25,000 and can be funded over five years. Donors provide the initial monies for this endowment with the goal of encouraging their son or daughter to continue giving to the scholarship. Essentially, they are helping their children create their own legacies.

Response: Father, please give us creative ideas to challenge the next generation of major donors to partner with us.

A series of white human figures standing on progressively taller rectangular pedestals, set against a vibrant orange background, with the words 'Develop a Persuasive Case – 1 Corinthians 2:4' on the left side of the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Develop a Persuasive Case

by Ron Haas
June 6, 2025

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Have you ever agonized over finding just the right words, phrases, or tag line for your fundraising materials? A case for support is your major donor tool to express your need and how your donors can help meet that need. We wordsmith every sentence to be as compelling as possible hoping to unlock our donors’ hearts and minds. You need a case statement for all your fundraising campaigns like the annual appeal, major gift campaigns, capital, and endowment campaigns. Fresh graphic design, great photos, infographics, and clean typefaces are all important, but your case statement must answer six key questions:

What is the need?
Needs come in all shapes and sizes. What specific need are you trying to solve? If you need a building, focus on what will happen inside the building. Sometimes we try to solve all our problems in one campaign, but it can be overwhelming to donors. Make the need manageable so that donors feel they can make a difference.

Is this need urgent?
Urgency is a key decision-making factor. Some causes are inherently urgent—providing clean water, feeding widows and orphans, and evangelizing the lost. If your need doesn’t seem urgent to you, it won’t seem urgent to your donors. Find ways to express your compelling arguments in simple terms.

How will your ministry meet this need?
We love talking about ourselves. Sometimes, we communicate that we have all the answers and donors just help us accomplish our goals. Write less about your organization and focus more on those you serve and how your donors are ministry partners in providing the solution.

Whom will be impacted?
Your case for support is not just a laundry list of projects you hope to accomplish. Effective case statements share facts and evidence but must tug at the heart. Donors make giving decisions with their minds and hearts. Stories are the most effective way to communicate whom your fundraising campaign will help.

What will happen if you fail?
Whom won’t be helped if you are unable to raise these funds? What key programs will be limited? What opportunities will be missed if your donors don’t participate? We like to think failure is not an option, but if your supporters don’t give sacrificially, failure is a possibility.

How can your donor get involved?
Use donor-centric phrases to call your donors to action, such as: “This significant project will only happen because of your generous support,” or “A better future is possible for our students, because of you,” or “Your gift will provide even more meaningful experiences to our current and future students.”

Think About This: You can say all the right fundraising words to persuade your donors and still not motivate them to give. Paul didn’t rely on wise and persuasive words, instead he relied on the Spirit’s power. The greatest case for support you could ever make is to share stories of how the Spirit is working through your ministry to change lives for eternity.

Response: Father, please accomplish your will through our ministry. May the Spirit demonstrate his power in our lives and those we serve.

A male and female lion resting together on dry grass in a woodland setting, with the words 'Asking King and Queen – Nehemiah 2:6' displayed on the right side of the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Asking King and Queen

by Ron Haas
June 4, 2025

Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time (Nehemiah 2:6).

Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem’s desperate situation; the city walls had been destroyed and the people were living in constant danger (Neh. 1:1-3). He wept, prayed, and planned for four months about how to solve this problem. One day as he was serving as cupbearer, the king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness and asked what was wrong. This was Nehemiah’s major donor moment—he shared his burden and asked the king for (a) passports, (b) royal timber, and (c) time off. This verse adds an interesting dynamic, the queen was sitting beside the king and heard every word. The fundraising application is clear: as often as possible, you should include husband and wife when you ask for a gift.

Emotional
Generally, women tend to be more emotionally expressive than men. That’s important to remember because what your ministry does to serve people should have an emotional element. Nehemiah himself was moved to tears for the people living in Jerusalem (Neh. 1:4). He was motivated to act because of the critical needs of hurting people. Include both husband and wife as you share your stories of changed lives. Men might make an intellectual giving decision; women are more concerned with issues of the heart.

Relational
It’s interesting that the queen is mentioned in the context of the king’s question, “How long will it take and when are you coming back?” It seems that the king and queen liked having Nehemiah around and were going to miss him when he was gone. The cupbearer wasn’t just an ordinary slave, he was the king’s confidant. As official taste-tester, he had sipped multiple glasses of wine to ensure that the king and queen were not poisoned. In your donor development work, make personal friends with both the husband and wife.

Intuition
One great reason for meeting with husband and wife is to tap into a woman’s intuition. Women possess a knack for knowing what others are feeling and thinking. Jon Voight observes, “There’s something real in women’s intuition. It’s an accurate signpost for decision making, but it usually bumps up against man’s logic. So, we have to put ego aside and listen to them.” Include wives in your solicitation conversations, perhaps one will share some insights that will improve your project.

Life Span
Actuarial tables calculate the average life expectancy for women is 79 years and 72 years for men. Perhaps you’ve seen a funny meme of why women live longer than men that usually includes electricity, water, ladders, and other risky, non-OSHA approved activities. You should cultivate wives as major donors, because statistically they will be making giving decisions years after their husbands have passed on to Glory.

Think About This: An administrator pitched a husband and wife on a clock tower project. The husband’s first reaction was, “I don’t think we are interested in this.” His wife responded, “I think it’s a great idea!” To which the husband continued, “I think we’re interested in this.”

Response: Lord, please give me insight to include husbands and wives in our giving opportunities.

Wooden gate surrounded by lush greenery and blooming white flowers, with the words “Getting Past the Gatekeeper” and 2 Chronicles 23:19 written in white text.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Getting Past the Gatekeeper

by Ron Haas
May 20, 2025

“He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter” (2 Chronicles 23:19).

Gatekeepers have one job—to keep out unwanted visitors. Perhaps you have encountered a major donor gatekeeper in the form of a financial planner, attorney, family member, or personal assistant. How do you get around the gatekeeper to connect with your donors? Gatekeepers process boxes of correspondence for major donors and must determine what is important and unimportant. Just imagine sorting through ten times the mail you receive daily. One ministry leader was surprised to learn that his notes weren’t getting to his major donor friends and then discovered the gatekeeper’s unwritten rules about whether he would pitch the correspondence or pass it on to the donor. Here is one gatekeeper’s pitch/pass list:

Thank you note on the receipt. Pitch It!
A common practice for ministry leaders is to write a personal thank you to the donor on the gift receipt. It’s a nice gesture that probably gets noticed by 95% of your donors. However, a note on a receipt is still a receipt, not an official thank you note.

Any mention of a future project. Pitch It!
It’s tempting to tease a new project while you thank your donor for their gift to your current project. But if you focus on the next big thing, are you expressing gratefulness for the gifts that got you this far? Effective thank you notes must be genuine. Don’t just check the box saying that you thanked your donor.

Handwritten thank you note that mentions a future gift. Pitch it!
Congratulations for sending a handwritten note! Handwritten notes are rare. Don’t dilute your thank you by asking your ministry partner to consider a future gift. Your thank you note should focus on your donor not you.

Printed thank you note. Pitch It!
Some fundraisers have lousy handwriting and use a computer to print a note. Printed notes feel impersonal because they are. The only exception is if your donor knows that you have a health condition that makes handwriting difficult for you.

Personal, handwritten, stand-alone thank you note. Pass to the donor!
Here’s what passes this gatekeeper’s scrutiny: a handwritten thank you note that’s just a thank you note. Period. Mike was having difficulty connecting with a major donor. The donor had given but never responded to Mike’s phone calls or emails. Mike decided to be proactive and personally deliver his handwritten thank you note. He was interrogated at the front entrance, but the gatekeeper called the donor and said, “Mike, from ABC Ministries is here with a thank you note. Should I send him up?” The answer came back, “Sure.” The major donor was glad to see him and invited him in.

Think About This: Jesus taught about the relationship between the shepherd, his sheep, and the gatekeeper. “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3). When you have a personal relationship with your donor, the gatekeeper will open the door wide.

Response: Father, please open the gate and help me connect with my major donors.

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