When done right, your development message is clear. A development message is structured to answer the questions donors always have but don’t always ask: Why is this important? What’s the mission? What values drive all this? What’s the history? How did you get here? What is the plan? What are the strategic plan steps? What […]
Where You Go Is Determined by Where You Are
If you’re in development, chances are you’ve already racked your brain for the best ways to expand your network. Look around you. Who do you see? Start there. For those of you working in schools or ministries with gatherings, it’s sadly common for people to only interact with others they know. If there’s a stranger […]
Asked and Answered | Fundraising Events
Leaders of communities with diverse backgrounds and economic means must manage the perception that some fundraising activities are being geared only toward those small groups that might be more apt to be able to give financially. Cultural implications exist in an organization’s community when you do fundraising events. While not as big of an issue […]
Now Is the Time for Massive Action
If you are serving in a Christian school or ministry, we firmly believe that NOW is the time to take massive action to grow significant giving that moves you forward. YOUR potential donors likely feel a sense of opportunity and even urgency in finding and giving to deserving impactful organizations. Will they choose your ministry […]
Engaging Endowments
“Endowment” is a harsh word for many, but it need not be. I suggest, instead, we think of it as an allowance. When our boys were younger, they completed certain chores around the house as part of our family. In return, they received a small allowance. Knowing they would most likely complete their assigned tasks […]
Shaped by Sway
As humans, we cling to what is tangible when defining our success. In the world of advancement, it’s tempting to measure success by funds raised and the number of zeros before the decimal point. But, to get to the top, we look at the bottom line. Development is the work of raising money. We must […]
Going Virtual in a Viral World
We are living day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute, or so it seems, when it comes to event planning in our current pandemic circumstances. It’s springtime and for many leaders this season is synonymous with the big event. The large gathering. The fundraising mothership. But, we can’t. So what can we do? […]
Redefining Success | Navigating COVID-19
Many of you have reached out with the same basic, but ever so complicated, question: What do we do now? Although many things remain to be sorted out, we have three important steps for you and your organizations to take today for a stronger tomorrow. Update Timelines At this point we have no way of […]
The Process of Bearing Fruit
These are challenging times. It’s important, and I believe helpful, to call to mind those who came before us and have stood where we stand. While we’ve no proof that any of the disciples were ordered to shelter in place due to a virus, we DO have proof that they faced many trials of all […]
4 Simple Questions for Complicated Seasons
Too much to do, too little time. Sound familiar? For most leaders, end of year can be a stressful time. With mere days left in the giving year and calendars filling up with holiday celebrations and obligations, December can be a tricky month to navigate. It doesn’t have to be. At all times, but especially […]
The Giving Board
Create. Motivate. Activate. The relationship between a leader and those who serve alongside the leader can be quite impactful, but sometimes difficult to navigate, especially when it comes to money. Let’s face it – confronting those who choose to serve, who give of their time …to also give of their finances… is not always easy. […]
Super Strength | Surrendering to THE Source
I’m in a season of self-reflection. Recently, I’ve asked myself simple questions and yet am left with complex answers. I’ve discovered others’ decisions, opportunities, problems, or challenges are taking up a significant chunk of my thought life. Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that […]
Development is Threefold…Not Billfold
What We Can Learn From Jesus + Einstein “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” This quote from Albert Einstein resonated with me earlier this week, and has encouraged the advice I share with you today. Whether through parables or five alphanumeric symbols, e = mc2, great men know it […]
Leading Through Storytelling
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And He told them many things in parables… Matthew 13:1-3 In countless ways, Jesus was and continues […]
Transforming Completed into Well Done
Have you ever trained for a race? Those who have know in the months and weeks leading up to the big day, whether by a step or by a mile, forward movement is progress. However, come race day there is a visible, marked difference between those who merely finish the race and those who run […]
4 Ways to Ask for Money
I will say, for most leaders, asking for money is one of the most challenging things that they do. I will not say that, for most leaders, this becomes easier over time because I don’t think it ever does. If you are focused on asking well… If you are focused on honoring God with […]
What Truly Matters | Yearly Numbers You Need to Know
Some things matter. Some things don’t. Ultimately, what you pay attention to – what you focus on – will direct your steps. Where are you headed? I think now is the perfect time, if you don’t already have a good idea, to find out. Don’t you? Think about giving up to this point this year. […]
Make Your Numbers Count!
The Data You Really Need to Raise More Money There is power in what happens when you look at the right numbers. I have never seen an out-of-the-box database able to give you the exact numbers you need to make decisions as a ministry. I have seen ministries transform their perspective and in turn […]
This December May Never Come Again
Zach Clark talks about the challenge of keeping focus at the end of the giving year and the 4 essential things we encourage leaders to do to have a record giving year.
Achieving Your Giving Goal in the Next 45 Days
This calendar year is coming to a close. Have you hit your giving goals? Creating a 45-day plan may be the push your project needs. Any purposeful gift is the result of intentional planning; it begins with God and flows from your faithful follow-through. By this point in the year, you have had a lot […]
