Growing Givers Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry

For fundraisers who are also Christian, the most vital mission is to grow the giver′s heart. Here for the first time is a truly spiritual way of looking at fundraising as an opportunity to nurture current and prospective donors and facilitate their growth in faith. While the traditional focus of the fundraising process tends to be utilitarian before it is humane or spiritual, the empowering new model proposed here–fundraising as ministry–puts the humane and the spiritual first. It rests on the idea that relationships with donors should be built upon a desire to encourage their generosity and spiritual growth. This unusual and highly effective approach is rooted in the Gospel vision. It goes beyond respecting our neighbors to loving them. Growing Givers′ Hearts is based on the authors′ in–depth study of seven successful Christian organizations whose fundraising efforts reveal the dynamic interplay between encouraging spiritual development of donors and raising essential resources. Such organizations share several key characteristics, including their assumption of God′s abundant grace, their clear use of theology in the way they approach resource development, their practice of offering donors opportunities to participate in the ministry, and their ability to cultivate spiritually mature leadership. The book explores in detail these essential aspects of fundraising as ministry, giving readers a unique way to reflect on what they can do to make their work more personally satisfying and spiritually rewarding. Growing Givers′ Hearts offers exceptional insights not only for development staff, but for executives, board members, and other leaders of Christian organizations across the theological spectrum. Based on a three–year, nationwide study of Christian organizations whose efforts are successful both in raising needed financial or material resources and in encouraging the spiritual development of their donors, this groundbreaking book identifies key characteristics that enable fundraising to function on both levels at once. Growing Givers′ Hearts explores in detail how Christian development staff, executives, and board members can make faith–building opportunities for donors their first priority act on their confidence in God′s abundance share their resources and wisdom with other organizations draw from their theological tradition in their approach to fundraising involve a vital cross–section of staff in planning cultivate spiritually mature leadership With this innovative approach, Growing Givers′ Hearts empowers readers to work in spiritually grounded, deeply creative, and professionally satisfying ways. Fundraisers in any Christian organization will find extraordinary insights in this important guide. "Most Christians who raise money say they want to serve, love, and nurture their donors. Finally, here is a book that can turn that desire into reality."—Robert C. Andringa, president, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities "Practical and inspirational. A book for organizational leaders and fundraisers of faith–based groups, large and small, as well as for donors and people of faith."—Kara Newell, executive director, American Friends Service Committee

Acknowledgments. Introduction: Fundraising and the Expression of Faith. WHAT IS CHRISTIAN FUNDRAISING? Creating Resources for God′s Work. What the Bible Says About Giving and Asking. A Brief History of Christian Fundraising. SIX ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FUNDRAISING AS A MINISTRY. Confidence in God′s Abundance. A Holistic Perspective on `Kingdom Work′. Clarity About Core Theological Beliefs. Giving Donors Opportunities for Participation. Integrated Organizational Planning. Spiritually Mature Leadership. THE FUNDRAISER′S MINISTRY. Fundraising As a Calling. Fundraising As an Invitation to Cooperate with God′s Grace. References. The Authors. Index.

THOMAS H. JEAVONS H. is general secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of FriAnds. He was founding director of the Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University and has served in staff and board positions with several nonprofit organizations. REBEKAH BURCH BASINGER is an indepAndent consultant in fundraising and stewardship education. She has served on the administrations of three church–related colleges and directed a Lilly Endowment–funded project on fundraising effectiveness for the Council for Christian Churches and Universities.

"Most Christians who raise money say they want to serve, love, and nurture their donors. Finally, here is a book which can turn that desire into reality." (Robert C. Andringa, president, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities) "Practical and inspirational. A book for organizational leaders and fundraisers of faith–based groups, large and small, as well as for donors and people of faith." (Kara Newell, executive director, American FriAnds Service Committee) "This is not a how–to–do–it, but rather a why–to–do–it written for (church) leaders...and excellent resource..." (charityvillage.com, 8/01)