Connecting With Perspective Donors
- There is an indirect way to inform others of your ministry calling and financial needs. It is an incremental approach that allows those of us who are more introverted to stick our “big toe” into the fundraising water. Some of the responses we get may be chilly, but the warm ones provide a good entrée for further discussions about someone’s potential for serving as a financial partner. The Apostle Paul describes this partnership in Philippians 1:4-5, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Follow Paul’s prayer, and you will fundraise well.
- Once a quarter, consider mailing a letter (email is an option, but you may lose some uniqueness) to potential financial partners with these elements:
- 1. Brief opening paragraph of 3-4 sentences thanking and affirming the recipient
- 2. Short second paragraph describing the purpose of the letter
- 3. To-the-point third paragraph inviting them to pray about serving as a financial
- partner for 12 months (a closed-end commitment is more attractive and invites
- broader participation)
- 4. Succinct last paragraph describing the next steps of your call to them in 7 to 10
- days for a follow up coffee or lunch
- 5. Conclude with thanking them for their prayerful consideration
- During the follow-up phone call, first confirm that they received the letter and then ask how they are doing. Thank them for their time, and inquire if it is appropriate to talk briefly about a personal visit. Listen for buy signs like, “Yes, your ministry sounds very interesting, and I would like to hear more.” But a closed door may sound like, “Now is not a good time since we just move my wife’s mom into a retirement center, and we are covering her living expenses.”
- In the second case, make sure you communicate your understanding, listen to how the transition is going for everyone, and offer to pray with them over this new season of life. If you hear any openness to next steps, offer 2 or 3 date options, and ask what works best. Typically four of the eight people you call will agree to meet in person; three of those four will likely give.
- Who are ten people I can reach out to with a fundraising request?
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God’s Call to Ministry- Part Seven: Giftedness-Prophesy
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