Make Friends

Feb 20, 2023

You’ll be successful if you faithfully do the best you can with what you have

Want to successfully raise funds for your ministry? Then look after your people!

‘Funds come from friends” is a phrase we picked up a long time ago from Bob Gass (author of The Word for Today) and there is a lot of truth to this.

Friendship is built over time, and though people investing in the relationship.

And that is why keeping a database is so important. Just like you know the names and phone numbers of your friends, your ministry must know the names and contact details of the people you regularly interact with. That might be the people who:

Get The Word for Today from you,
Request a songs on your station
Call in with a prayer need
share their story with you
donate

The important thing to note is that your ministry must put time and effort into building the relationship. That means regular communication and yes, hard work!. While sending letters in the mail may not be an option, a WhatsApp group, Facebook posts, and on air messaging are all important ways you can build relationship. And for those special occasions you can call or send text messages.

The important thing is that you build the relationship.

When someone contacts your ministry you need to know who they are and the nature of their relationship with your ministry. Do you?

Being successful takes good planning and faithful action.

Record Your Donor Details

Here is a simple Excel spreadsheet for recording your donor details.

Download

Read a little more on CRM systems.

CRM Software

There are literally hundreds of options for a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system for your ministry. There are some free options but usually they are limited to a short time or a small number of records.

One truly Free option worth exploring is TNTConnect

As CRM software is a rapidly changing field you are probably best to do your own search.

More Fundriasing Tips here…

Adding Drama to your Stories

I recently read an email talking about the need for fundraisers to have a ‘flair for drama’ in their story telling. It is true: “I was struggling...

Gardening

Before you get to enjoy your harvest of fruit and vegetables you first prepare the soil, then you plant seeds. But that’s not all, you have to make...

How are your fundraising plans coming along for this year?

The other day I read the following on www.futurefundraisingnow.com and thought it worth sharing as it applies to our letters, emails, on air...

The 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule says that you can do 80% of the work in 20% of the time. The same is true when it comes to fundraising and your donors. Fundraising...

« Older Entries

Value Small Gifts

Something from Bob Gass that applies 100% to Fundraising Don’t belittle your gift ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.’ Ephesians 3:20 Next time you see a big oak tree, remind yourself that it began as a tiny acorn. What...

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it”

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” do the best you can with what you have and see how your ministry grows.

To Get Better at What You Do…

Invest your time wisely. When it comes to the way we eat, we don’t sit down on the first day of the month and eat the entire month’s food in one sitting. No, we have a little bite often – usually 3 meals a day with an extra coffee or two and perhaps a snack thrown...

Vision, Mission and Your team

The 2021 Australian National Church Life Survey asked church attenders whether their church had a clear vision, goals or direction for its ministry and mission, and if they were committed to that vision. 68% of church attenders said they are aware of their local...

The 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule says that you can do 80% of the work in 20% of the time. The same is true when it comes to fundraising and your donors. Fundraising isn't an exact science but... 80% of your donors will contribute 20% of your income Another 15% of your donors will...

Moses Was Asked…

Do what you can with what you’ve got! This is probably the best piece of fundraising advice I’ve heard in a very long time. Do what you can with what you’ve got! Those of us at last week’s UCB Family Meeting heard Ian talk about the early years of Vision/UCB...

Demonstrate Generosity

Did you know that one way your radio ministry can raise funds, is by being generous! Now that doesn’t make sense… or does it? Let me explain how you can demonstrate generosity like this… Vision Christian Radio runs two on air fundraisers for its own ministry each...

Surveys and Opinions

Surveys and asking people for their opinion can be a helpful tool but they can also be very misleading. Especially when it comes to fundraising. First off, understand that your donors really want to give you truthful and helpful answers to your questions. After all,...

Do the best you can with what you have

As a leader you're always under pressure. Meeting the budget Keeping your ministry going forward Looking after your team Meeting Board and legal requirements Growing your ministry And then there is you own Spiritual and family life. The Good News is: God is with you!...

Plan the Work, Work the Plan

"if you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there" Unfortunately many fundraisers, for whatever reason, don't set any goals or targets. Which is a real shame because goals don't have to be hugely complicated - especially not to start with. And if...

Thank you – two small words with huge impact.

In a recent email Tom Ahern referred to Thanking Donors as the “Secret Sauce” for your fundraising efforts. He went on to talk about the importance of thanking sincerely and thanking fast. In fact there is evidence that if you personally thank a first time donor...

Adding Drama to your Stories

I recently read an email talking about the need for fundraisers to have a ‘flair for drama’ in their story telling. It is true: “I was struggling and now God has blessed me” is not an exciting and impactful story. You need to apply good writing (or interviewing)...

Gardening

Before you get to enjoy your harvest of fruit and vegetables you first prepare the soil, then you plant seeds. But that’s not all, you have to make sure you tend and water often, otherwise the young plants will wither and die. If you want to harvest fruit and...

How are your fundraising plans coming along for this year?

The other day I read the following on www.futurefundraisingnow.com and thought it worth sharing as it applies to our letters, emails, on air appeals, and face to face communication. 4 Game-Changing hints for Powerful Fundraising Remember to talk to your donors, NOT at...

The 80/20 Rule

Vision, Mission and Your team

Do the best you can with what you have

Why People Don’t Support Your Organisation

by Jeff Brooks - Future Fundraising Now This might seem obvious, but so much fundraising just misses the point: people donate to nonprofits to help people. They don’t donate to support nonprofits. Fundraising that misses that point is not effective. That’s the point...

Change it up for the New Year

On a scale of 1 – 10 where 1 is “Terrible” and 10 is “100% Successful” where would you rate your ministry’s fundraising efforts in 2022? This is actually a good question to talk about with your leadership team. Because, unless you gave yourself a 9 or 10, then you...

Demonstrate Generosity

Gardening

Sharpening Your Axe

Become better at your job by taking time out of ‘doing’ your ministry work to upskill yourself

Changes in Africa – Brenda Uwubuntu

Watch this great video from Brenda Uwubuntu that was recently shown at the CMAA Conference 2022 - Truth Goodness Beauty. Brenda shares about the change that she is seeing in Africa's Media ministries and supporters as well as some amazing things that God is doing in...

Fundraising Leaders

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who...