Hezekiah’s words transformed lambs into lions. Something similar happened at a recent campaign planning meeting with a pretty significant goal. Everyone walked in wondering if we’d completely lost our minds. Could we actually raise this kind of money?
Then Bill showed up and everything changed. When people introduced themselves, most gave a quick “Hi, I’m so-and-so.” Bill took five minutes telling us about his business wins and dropping names of all the big shots he knew personally. At first, it felt a little much. But the longer he talked, the more we realized this guy wasn’t just talk. He actually did know several major donors on a first-name basis. His “we’ve got this” energy was infectious. Suddenly everyone’s “Can we?” turned into “How will we!”
Start with Confidence in the Lord
Bill radiated confidence, but you could also hear his faith underneath it all. He genuinely believed God had prepared him for exactly this moment. Here’s the question: Do you have a positive mindset about fundraising? If you’re just running on your own steam, you’ll burn out fast. But when you draw strength from God, you can accomplish amazing things you never thought possible. “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19).
Then Confidence in Your Mission
Your boldness in asking for money grows directly from how much you believe in what you’re doing. Do you really believe in your cause? Do you understand how important this work is? A good salesperson can sell anything to anyone, but a truly great fundraiser must believe deep down what they’re offering genuinely meets people’s needs. You’ve got to be all in on the fact your campaign will make an eternal difference.
Next: Believe in Your Leadership
Bill joined our campaign because he knew the executive director personally and completely trusted his leadership. The Israelites faced a vast army and were scared out of their minds about their situation. How vast is your campaign? The Israelites trusted King Hezekiah because he trusted God. Does your leadership inspire confidence or raise doubts about whether or not God’s got this?
Finally: Don’t Underestimate your Network
Bill dropped names, but he also showed everyone a text he received that morning from the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Most people won’t volunteer for a campaign team because they think, “I don’t know anybody.” Maybe that feels true. Most of us aren’t hanging out with billionaires at country clubs. But Bill’s enthusiasm got everyone in that room thinking differently. People started remembering, “Wait, I do know someone who…”
Think About This: Your mindset will make or break your fundraising. Henry Ford said it perfectly: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” What do people pick up from your attitude about fundraising?
Prayer: Father, help me trust you for how this campaign turns out. Lead us to the right team members and the right donors.
