What Do You Do After a First Gift?
Think back to the last time you sent a gift for a missionary that you had never supported before. Remember? How did they respond to you? Missionary responses to first-time gifts often fall into these...
View ArticleThree Toxic Phrases Good Fundraisers Never Use
Last week, I accompanied a missionary friend I am coaching on a fundraising appointment. As I listened to him present his dazzling vision, it occurred to me that I did not hear the three toxic phrases....
View ArticleFundraising Pressure & Baseball Per Diem?
Lately, I’m hearing comments like these from mission staff of several organizations: “Fundraising appointments make me feel uncomfortable—especially phoning.” “If only I didn’t have to raise so much...
View ArticleThree Comfortable Phrases Reveal Faulty Thinking About Fundraising
Over the years, I’ve heard these three mantras about fundraising. They sound logical, but faulty thinking lies below the surface. 1. “We’re comfortable at 80% aren’t we honey?” This statement is always...
View ArticleFunding Your Ministry Dreams: God’s Job or Your Job?
Ministry partner development often seems overwhelming. But let’s break it down! What is God’s job? What is your job? Calling you into ministry—God’s job. You can’t call yourself. Only God can “call.”...
View ArticleDO FUNDRAISING BEFORE YOU NEED TO!
When people find out I have been up to budget for 30 years, they ask, “Do you still do fundraising even though you are up to budget?” The question is similar to, “Why fix the roof if it is not...
View ArticleTHREE THINGS YOUR DONORS WON’T TELL YOU
1. I wish you were a better writer (i.e. I don’t read your letters much). When I see your newsletter in the pile on the kitchen counter I cringe. As your giving partner I should be thrilled to read...
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RAISING PERSONAL SUPPORT DOESN’T WORK?
A few weeks ago a ministry leader told me, “Raising personal support doesn’t work except in the upper-middle class among white evangelicals with disposable income.” More and more voices agree. The...
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SIX HAZARDOUS PHRASES TO AVOID DURING THE ASK
In the nervousness of a fundraising appointment, do un-helpful words pop out of your mouth? At the risk of being legalistic, may I be painfully specific? The guideline: “Be sensitive yet bold in your...
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ARE YOU FULLY FUNDED OR JUST “GETTING BY”?
I once picked up a slightly inebriated hitchhiker in rural Wisconsin. As I attempted to engage him in conversation, I decided to risk asking him a rather penetrating question: “Friend, what is your...
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Fundraising and Leadership: A Marriage Made in Heaven?
When gifted, capable men and women step into ministry leadership they get a surprise—fundraising! Maybe they saw the fundraising line item on the job description, but it is usually glossed over in...
View ArticleDiscovering Blindspots in Support Raising Leadership
Editor’s Note: We asked Scott Morton (International Funding Coach for The Navigators) to explain the background to his new book Blindspots—Leading Your Team and Ministry to Full Funding. Watch the...
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Does Jesus Contradict Himself on Fundraising?
Have you noticed that Jesus gave two different sets of instructions for funding ministry? Early in His ministry Jesus sent both the twelve disciples and seventy others on mission trips. He instructed...
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Creating a Culture of Thankfulness
As a leader, are you confident your staff and ministry demonstrate timely thankfulness to giving partners? Perhaps you have not given this question much thought, but as a leader I’m sure you realize...
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Three Fundraising Culs-de-sac: Extremely logical half-truths that take you in...
Adapted from Scott’s book: Blindspots: Leading Your Team and Ministry to Full Funding Funding coaches and leaders need to be alert for three subtle fundraising “sayings.” These half-truths seem...
View ArticleCoronavirus and Fundraising?
Question: With the Coronavirus pandemic shutting down much of the world, what can you do now in fundraising? Nothing? Wait until things improve? Answer: Now is the time to be active in your giving...
View Article4 Myths About Giving
What the Bible really says-and doesn’t say-about giving When it comes to giving, we all have our beliefs and opinions. But it’s time to turn some sacred cows about giving out to pasture. As we...
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