Fundraising Creates a Community of Love
“Indeed, if we raise funds for the creation of a community love, we are helping God build the kingdom.” (Nouwen, p. 25) Fundraising as an activator of generosity helps create a community of love both in and beyond this world. Fundraising is an act of love. Generosity is an act of love. Together they empower […]
Fundraising Helps the Kingdom of God to Come
“The kingdom is where God provides for all that we need. It is the realm of sufficiency where we are no longer pulled here and there by anxiety about having enough.” (Nouwen, p. 24) Fundraising specifically, concretely, and clearly empowers the kingdom of God and its continual coming. It helps us allow the kingdom and […]
Fundraising Transforms the Fundraiser
“If we (the fundraiser) comes back from asking someone for money and we feel exhausted and showehow tainted by unspiritual activity, there is something wrong.” (Nouwen, p. 21) Fundraising should develop within the fundraiser a sense of joy and appreciation for the donor who has joined in the visionary movement of your cause. Fundraising at […]
Fundraising Gives People a Spiritual Vision
“By giving people a spiritual vision, we want them to experience that they will in fact benefit by making their resources available to us.” (Nouwen, p. 19) Fundraising is not a one-way street where the donor is asked to provide funds so that the recipient can benefit. Donors become a part of the ministry. They […]
Jesus Helps Us to Multiply the Impact of Our Generosity
“When Jesus fed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, he was showing us how God’s love can multiply the effects of our generosity.” (Nouwen, p. 46) Jesus represented the greatest gift in the whole history of humankind. Jesus embodied the greatest act of sharing from a loving God. Through […]
Fundraising Often Happens More Effectively in the Marketplace
“In fundraising, people who work in the marketplace are often wiser than people who work in the church.” (Nouwen, p. 18) Despite having the greatest spiritual foundation and motivation for fundraising, congregational and ministry leaders are often amateurs in their knowledge and actions regarding fundraising. Marketplace leaders know how to ask people for money and […]
Fundraising is a Call to Conversion
“Fundraising is always a call to conversion.” (Nouwen, p. viii) Both the fundraiser and the donor are called to conversion. The act of asking for funds and the act of donating funds call for a transition and change in both persons. Fundraising at its best is a transformational experience involving a physical act, an emotional […]
Fundraising is an Act of Proclamation
“Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.” (Nouwen, p. viii) Fundraising is sharing God’s mission and the specific vision God has given us for fulfilling His mission for our congregation or ministry. Fundraising is sharing the […]
Fundraising is as Spiritual as . . .
“Fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.” (Nouwen, p. vii) Fundraising is embedded within the core of spiritually. Fundraising is a prayerful act of worship, which is why it is important to allow online givers to express their fund-giving is some way […]
Fundraising as a Form of Ministry
“Fundraising is first and foremost a form of ministry.” (Nouwen, p. vii) Fundraising is not a “show me the money” exercise. It is much more meaningful than that trite statement. It is a legitimate and authentic participation in ministry—in the mission of God. It is an act of worship. For someone to raise funds or for […]