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Several neatly wrapped black gift boxes with matching black ribbons are arranged against a dark background. The bold white text overlay reads, "The Gift That Keeps on Giving," conveying a message of lasting generosity and impact.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

by Ron Haas
April 8, 2025

“She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:8-9).

The most remembered gift ever given lasted for only a moment. Six days before Passover, Simon the Leper invited Jesus to his home for supper. The guest list included the disciples, his recently resurrected friend Lazarus, along with Martha and Mary. As they reclined around the table, Mary approached Jesus with a bottle of expensive perfume, broke it, and poured it on his head and feet. Her act of worship is a beautiful lesson in generosity. Donors give estate and endowed gifts because they want their legacy to last for generations. We still remember Mary’s extravagant gift and everyone’s reactions to her generosity.

The Disciples Questioned
Sacrificial giving sparks opinions and everyone has one. All the disciples criticized Mary, not just Judas (see Matt. 26:8). They felt her extravagance could have been used in better ways like giving to the poor. Giving is spiritual warfare. Satan hates generosity and will throw flaming arrows (even comments from friends) to discourage donors from giving. Pray for your ministry partners as they consider significant gifts, because others will try to talk them out of it.

Judas Coveted
Judas voiced his opposition, but he didn’t care about the poor. He was looking out for himself as he held the bag and had embezzled many times (see John 12:6). Sadly, some adult children don’t want their parents or grandparents to be generous because more money for ministry means less for them. Encourage your ministry partners as they navigate difficult family dynamics. Be wise when you sense opposition from family members and encourage your donors to include their own attorney in any gift decisions.

Jesus Defended
Jesus rebuked his disciples for criticizing Mary’s extravagant gift. “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Matt. 28:6). Some donors give because you offer to name something in their honor. Mary wasn’t looking for praise, she gave lavishly because she realized how much God had lavished on her (1 John 3:1). Inspire your donors to give beautiful gifts that will last beyond their lifetimes.

Simon Worshipped
Simon the Leper hosted Jesus in his home. That’s unusual because lepers lost all their possessions and were forced to live outside the city. Jesus healed Simon and restored every aspect of his life. One of the side effects of leprosy is the loss of smell. When Mary broke her perfume flask, the house was filled with its fragrance (John 12:3). Simon could smell and enjoy her generous gift. Help your donors realize all the lives they touch through their generosity.

Think About This: “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial” (John 12:7). Mary saved this special gift for this special occasion. Donors are saving to give a special gift. Why will they give it to you?

Response: Father, help me communicate our ministry story in such a compelling way that our ministry partners will be motivated to give an extravagant gift.

An older man and a younger man stand side by side in a lush green field with rolling hills in the background. The younger man has his arm around the older man's shoulders, symbolizing a close, supportive relationship. The word "Grandpartners" is prominently displayed, emphasizing the bond between grandparents and younger generations. The warm lighting and scenic view create a peaceful and heartfelt atmosphere.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Grandpartners

by Ron Haas
February 19, 2025

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

There was no one like Timothy. He had a son-father relationship with Paul (see Phil. 2:22), accompanied him on missionary journeys, and became the pastor of the church in Ephesus. Long before he met Paul, Timothy’s faith journey began through the godly influence of his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. They lived their faith out loud, and Timothy followed their examples.

Parents and grandparents are key partners in Christian education. Many Christian schools host Grandparents’ Day to honor them. It provides a great opportunity to see their grandchildren in class and love on them. Grandparents can get involved in five important ways.

Pray
Grandparents are prayer warriors. They already pray for God’s blessing on their grandchildren, and they will faithfully pray for your prayer requests. Give them specific needs and let them know how God answered their prayers. If you are considering a building campaign, encourage them to ask God for wisdom and the resources to accomplish your goal.

Encourage
One school organizes an encouragers’ campaign. They send blank note cards to their grandparents asking them to write an encouraging note to their grandchildren which will be delivered during finals week. The notes encourage both grandchildren and grandparents. The school asks for a donation but emphasizes a gift is not required. Ninety-five percent of the cards are returned with a gift.

Serve
Grandparents can serve as faithful volunteers. They can read to elementary classes, help with science projects, chaperone field trips, or assist with music or athletics. Take note of special interests and find creative ways to get people involved. When grandparents see first-hand the impact you are making and the needs you have, they are more likely to give generously.

Give
Grandparents typically have more resources than their children who are still trying to build their wealth. Help them understand the many ways their gifts could impact the next generation. Build donor loyalty by asking them to give to your annual operating fund or to other current needs, then ask them to participate in a significant way in your capital projects.

Remember
Legacy gifts can make a substantial impact by providing seed money for a capital campaign or funding an endowment. Have you ever specifically asked a grandparent to remember your school in their will? It’s one thing to ask in a group setting or mention estate planning in your marketing materials, but it is much more effective to meet your grandparents face to face and boldly ask.

Think About This: Colleges seem to be at a disadvantage with grandparent strategies. Some host a Grandparent’s Day but most don’t know many grandparents by name. Ask your students for their grandparents’ contact information by referencing 2 Timothy 1:5 as your reason. Frame it like this, “The faithful prayers of your grandparents are the reason you are a student at our college/university, we want to thank them for their godly influence in your life by sending a gift, please share their names and addresses.”

Response: Father, please give us creative ideas to involve our grandparents as true ministry partners.

Yellow background with silhouettes of people raising their hands in shadow, featuring bold text 'SHADOW DONORS' and vertical text 'PSALM 39:6
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Shadow Donors

by Ron Haas
November 20, 2024

In truth, each of us journeys through life like a shadow. We busy ourselves accomplishing nothing, piling up assets we can never keep; We can’t even know who will end up with those things. (Psalm 39:6, The Voice)

Scripture describes our lives as a “mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14), grass springing up new in the morning “but by evening it is dry and withered” (Psa. 90:6), a passing breeze which does not return (Psa. 78:39), a swift weaver’s shuttle coming to an end without hope (Job 7:6), and a fleeting shadow (Eccl. 6:12).

David observed in Psalm 39 most people live busy lives but don’t accomplish anything of eternal value. They accumulate assets they can never keep and have no idea who will finally end up with all their things. Who will inherit your possessions? You only have three options: the government, your children, or charity.

The Government
New York Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, died from a heart attack on July 13, 2010, at age 80. Many people think the Steinbrenner family hit a home run with estate taxes when he passed away. Why? In 2010 there were no estate taxes. In fact, 2010 was the only year with no estate taxes. If he had died in 2009 or 2011, his widow and four children would have paid an estimated $500 million to $600 million in estate taxes.

Your Children
Your ministry partners have no guarantee their children will make wise financial decisions or, like the prodigal son, squander their wealth in wild living (Luke 15:13). Solomon bemoaned leaving his inheritance to those who would follow him, “And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?” (Eccl. 2:19). Today’s donors also question how much to leave their children—some don’t need the money, others would waste it, and sadly, some have wandered from the faith.

Charity
It makes logical sense someone who has been generous to your ministry throughout their life, would be generous in their death. Unfortunately, many people don’t even think about including charity in their estate plans. One easy way is to encourage your donors to tithe their estate. Another creative approach is to encourage your donors to adopt a child named, “Charity.” A donor with three children would typically divide their estate in thirds, by adopting “Charity,” each beneficiary would receive 25%.

We shy away from planned giving conversations because we perceive them as complicated. Your job is to keep it simple. Don’t worry about structuring a gift. Instead, focus your efforts on telling your ministry story and asking your donors to make a gift that will last beyond their lifetime. We often rely on literature to present giving opportunities, but the strongest approach is to ask face to face.

Think About This: McDonald’s heiress, Joan Kroc, left more than $200 million to NPR. Her transformative 2003 bequest wasn’t because of a major gift officer’s strategy, it was because she remembered meeting with NPR’s then-president, Kevin Klose, who had hoped Kroc would give at the $25,000 level. Go meet with your planned giving prospects and ask!

Response: Lord, give me boldness to personally ask my donors to remember our ministry in their estate plans.

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