Four strategic parts to making the "ASK" (fund-raising)

April 26, 2011

Today I attended a pre-conference session at Exponential 2011. It session was hosted by Generis. Lead by Jim Sheppard (Generis) and Chris Willard (Leadership Network); it was, in my opinion, it was one of the best nut and bolts, practical sessions on fund raising I have ever heard. Bar-none!

Making the “ask” is one of the toughest things a planter will ever do. It is the planter’s responsibility. If it doesn’t happen, it is your fault.  Yet, asking for funds is fear above all else. Why?

1. The fear of rejection

2. The fear of not being liked

3. The fear people will view you as a money-grubber or beggar

4. The fear that you may ruin relationships while asking for funds.

Fund-raising should not be looked at as something that will get you to where you want to go. Rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to help people grow in their walk with God. (The pocketbook is often the last thing to be saved.)

Today’s session covered multiple areas, but here is a quick synopsis. Four strategic parts of making the “Ask” every planter needs to know.

1.     Discovery – Who are the donors. Get to know them. You shouldn’t ask for money until you’ve a heart connection. Don’t view potential donors as a check or a person to be manipulated. Rather as people who have been called by God to grow and discover how they can make a difference. Find out what they are passionate about and then help them connect in ministry through giving.

2.     Cultivate – Spend time raising the temperature of your relationship with the potential donor. People give to vision, but primarily to relationship.

3.     Solicitation – Enough said. “ASK!” Often this is done without the other two steps.

4.     Appreciation – Make sure you continue to show overwhelming appreciation for a donor’s gift. No matter how large or small. Your act of appreciation will actually cultivate your relationship that could further cultivate the donor for future giving.

I am part of the discussion panel tomorrow and will share more from that session. Stay tuned, I will blog about Exponential everyday this week. If you can’t be here, at  least I can pas along a few nuggets.

Posted 4/26/2011 in Church Planting | 0 Comments - Add Comment