I am always looking for ways to help our Partner schools be Champions of fundraising.
For the second year in a row, I purchased a book for everyone tasked with fundraising at our schools and led a weekly book club on Wednesdays in our ACE room at Concordia Lutheran High School (see last year’s Book Club article here.) Many attended, some called in, and others read the book on their own due to scheduling issues (we hope to record the discussions in the future.)
Last year’s book, Kitchen Table Giving, was a great primer on why schools and churches should consider a dedicated fundraising effort. This year’s book, The Ministry of Giving, took things to the next level: how to create a basic fundraising plan of action- from concept to committees, from asking to stewarding gifts and donors.
Of note, rather than referring to “major donors”, this book suggests the use of the term “Financial Leaders.” Just as each and every church and school have worship leaders, youth leaders, and care leaders within their constituencies, there are financial leaders in the pews as well, those given the financial ability to make our various ministries a reality. Indeed, as Henri Nouwen noted, “Fundraising is first and foremost a form of ministry.”
The book outlines how to engage the financial leaders in your building, from identification to communication and beyond. There is so much more I could talk about with this book, but Mark Muehl limits my article length… Instead, I strongly suggest that you and your called and lay leadership read the book to glean all of the insights.
In my opinion, last year’s book, coupled with this year’s book, combined with the book I plan to introduce during the next Book Club in 2020, to be a strong trifecta for any church or school looking to make the case for fundraising.
Want to be part of that book club next year? Let me know and I will add you to the list.
P.S. We will be leading a presentation at this year’s LEA Convocation titled, “Fundraising is a Calling.” We hope you can either attend in St. Louis in October or perhaps we will duplicate the presentation at other conferences and even locally.
