Fund-raising as Ministry
“As a form of ministry, fund-raising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.” (The Spirituality of Fund-Raising, page 4)
For those of us in the fund-raising profession could there ever be a stronger statement of affirmation for our work and ministry? In the above statement, Henri gently nurtures us to see fund-raising for what “at its best” it can be……namely a profession that is embedded in the art of inviting people to join into partnership (and into community) to, in some way, “make the world” (or a portion of it) a better place through our financial gifts.
But do we believe Henri’s statement? Does it ring true in our lives…………or do we find ourselves “weighted down” by the image of a the fundraiser as someone who is skilled at persuasively taking people’s money?
Your thoughts? Any examples of “fundraising as ministry” that will enlighten our discussion?
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September 6th, 2005 @ 3:27 pm
Because of my deep admiration and respect for Henri Nouwen, I am now interested in what he has to say about fund-raising. Therefore, I will have to get the book.
However, until I read yet another enlightening and deeply provocative book by Henri, my thoughts about fund-raising may remain somewhat slanted. As Christians, I question our motives for giving when we are often just responding to a promise that “if we give, then we get.”
I am very curious to learn how Henri Nouwen approaches this subject. I want to learn a better, more God-centered, and mutually beneficial way to raise financial support, that is born of a generous and sacrificially giving heart and not from covetous motives.
September 7th, 2005 @ 11:47 am
I have been in ministry for the past 20 years. The most frustrating part has been fundraising. I love Henri Nouwen’s approach to fundraising. How anyone impleted his approach to fundraising? If so…how?
September 8th, 2005 @ 1:53 pm
I have read a bit on his approach, but not the entirety of his book, still waiting on that to arrive. I am hopeful to explore perspectives on fundraising and what that might lead to in practice and in training others to fundraise, especially in terms of the stories people have. I am tired of fundraising being a burden, rather than a joy that it sounds like it could be!
September 11th, 2005 @ 9:12 pm
Brilliant thought! It’s so very helpful to learn and understand the role and place for fundraising, and for giving, in the work of ministry, and in the work of the Kingdom. I believe it is the Apostle Paul who listed giving among spiritual gifts. The fundraiser helps connect those who are gifted givers with the appropriate opportunity, just as much the one who does research and scholarship provides information for those who are gifted teachers.
September 12th, 2005 @ 11:24 pm
What Henri Nouwen offers through this little booklet is truly a unique understanding of fundraising … that (1) fundraising is ministry that is every bit as important as preaching and other traditional ministry roles; (2) that fundraising is really about engaging people in communion and community; and (3)fundraising offers conversion (a beckoning to a new way of relating to our resources). He does not attempt to provide specific mechanics or detailed “how to’s” of fundraising. Rather his is an overall perspective that informs, frames, supports and guides how and why we go about fundraising.
In reading the booklet, it seems to me that “truth and connectedness” characterize Henri’s perspective of fundraising — seeking truth and building connections between those who have and those who need … between the donor or prospect and his/her resources … between individuals’ hearts and organizations’ vision… and between organizations’ mission/vision and God’s Kingdom. In our world of individualism, isolation and quest for more, Henri offers a “counter-cultural” perspective of fundraising that is based on God’s call for communion, community, and sharing. Seems to me that what he’s doing is helping us view fundraising as a vehicle for inviting all of us to live more fully into our call as true disciples of Christ — not at all the manipulative, distortion of truth, “begging for money” as fundraising is so often considered.
How very sad when people’s generosity is reduced to the “I give so I can get” mentality. And, even sadder is when we don’t find ways to help donors understand that the real meaning of their gift relates both to the recipient as well as the donor … and that it’s really about furthering God’s intent for our world. The true joy — and frankly, the meaning and power, of what we do — is when we help donors see the face of the recipient (even if that’s only through the stories of those whose lives have been touched) as well as to help the donor understand that their lives, also, are made fuller by sharing of their resources, regardless of what the resource is. In sharing, donors are not only Christ’s hands and feet, they are seeing with God’s eyes and heart. Henri beckons us to continually help elevate donors to this “higher” level.
September 13th, 2005 @ 6:56 am
As several of you have referred to earlier (and Francis responds to above), we work and live in a world where “the practice of our faith” as fundraiser (and simply as people)is often “colored” by the world around us. The whole mentality of “you give so you can get” is deeply embedded in some religious circles………..but do we see in this approach to giving any reflection of Christ as an example for us to follow? My guess is that most of us see in such an approach to “giving” much of our own culture that (sadly) often emphasizes that the primary beneficiary of any action should ultimately be ourselves.
One of Henri’s many gifts was the ability to convey that the process–and experience–of partnering with others (which fundraising is “at its core”)is a gift to “all” (including the donor)in the partnership.
September 14th, 2005 @ 2:19 pm
Some of the stress in fundraising for me lies in communicating the need (for me it is the need for kids to experience the love of Christ that otherwise may never know it) with someone who doesn’t understand their own need for Christ. At the same time I think it is a wonderful platform for sharing the love of Christ with those people. I think internally I equate asking for money with public admission that somehow I haven’t figured out how to get people to give without asking! Intellectually I know that people must be asked, but somehow it doesn’t seem to translate. I find it difficult to ask for help (my own pride issues) which is a very selfish attitude if fundraising ministers to those who are giving. My wishes for a few BIG donor seem in some ways to go against God’s desire to impact the whole community around us. Why is it so easy to talk about and so hard to do?
September 15th, 2005 @ 8:35 am
(Henry) Brian’s comments (above) raise an interesting point regarding the many levels of what occurs when one “asks” for money. Embedded in our culture is the concept of “asking” for anything (be it money, help, etc.)as something that conveys “our” lacking something that we need to get–or, at its worst–”take” from others.
But if fundraising is an “invitation into partnership” to join in fulfilling a mission (helping children, constructing a new church building, growing a ministry, etc.)then the process “has a different tone”………..which Henri Nouwen clearly conveys and “lifts up” as what good fundraising is all about.
September 15th, 2005 @ 11:33 am
This is Frances here! Brian, you voice what many of us fundraisers feel from time to time — confusion, self-doubt, hestitancy, etc.
Yes, Henri talks about inviting people into community — whether they are large donors or small ones. But before that — in fact at the very beginning of the booklet — he talks about inviting people to join us in our vision. Vision! Vision of the ministry! His placement of the concept makes me believe that he understood that, “without vision, the people will perish.” It also seems that he’s saying that before we fundraisers can invite people to join us, we have to know (and be able to clearly articulate) what we’re inviting them to join us in! We have to truly understand the vision!
I think all-too-often, we get “going and doing” before we really know what — and why and how — we are trying to “go and do.”
For all of us who find ourselves hesitant to make an ask, are we really, really clear on what it is our ministry is trying to do — its vision? And how clear are we about the role that each component of the fundraising effort plays in the total vision? I find that my hesitancy about making an ask dissipates when I am really clear about what I’m asking the prospective donor to be a part of. At that point, I’m offering them opportunity to be part of a community, a vision, and the future.
So what does Henri’s statement, “Fund-raising is … a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our misison” mean for your ministry?
September 15th, 2005 @ 2:56 pm
Frances, thank you for the reminder of the “big picture”. You’re absoletly right that when vision is foggy, it is difficult to ask. I need to remember that it is not the immediate need that is the basis of the ask, but the ongoing effort to see that EVERY kids has the chance to know and follow Christ. When I focus soley on the details of how a gift (or lack of a gift)will impact our cash flow, etc… the life seems to drain out of me. On the flip side who (believer or non believer) doesn’t want to see each and every kid have the opportunity to have his life impacted by someone who loves them unconditionally?
What are practical ways that people keep the vision out in front of them?
September 19th, 2005 @ 5:05 pm
Good question, Brian! I’d like to see some others comment on how they keep the vision out in front!
(Since Henry and I share the facilitator/ administrator role, we’re identifying ourselves each time. This is Frances.)
For me, I’ll admit — it’s tough at times. I have just put together two case statements and another list of “projects” as part of a larger program. Each of these projects as well as the components of the case statements are accompanied by their respective financial requirements. Putting it (the project and its monetary requirement) in writing helps to clarify the “big picture” as well as the details and all the places there are questions and/or where things are in conflict. It also helps in the articulation of the big picture for large donors while also identifying the components for support on a lower level. And putting it in writing neccitates collaborative effort (hey, you can’t come up with all the details by yourself!), allows everyone to be part of the fundraising effort and get buy-in from everyone, as well as helping everyone (top to bottom) see what the organization –and development folk — are doing.
OK, let’s not leave the discussion of vision yet. Vision and mission are the foundation for fundraising. Henri obviously believed this in that it was at the very beginning of his booklet.
So I believe it’s worth additional reflection and discussion.
So … What are practical ways that people keep the vision out in front of them? How has “vision” in your ministry helped (or hindered) the fundraising effort — the activities of inviting people into partnership and community?
September 20th, 2005 @ 5:05 pm
Hi, my name is Rita and I would love to join this conversation. I have read a good number of Henri Nouwen’s books and welcomed his reflections on the Spirituality of Fundraising. My background is not in the area of fundraising. I picked up this book in the context of stewardship and wanted a different way of expressing/inviting people into the stewardship way of life. Too often stewardship has been equated with the asking of money and it just becomes a big ‘turn-off’. Because stewardship is a way of life, asking for commitments to time, talent and treasure is not the starting point for me. As Nouwen has said, what need to be remembered over and over is the vision — why we do what we do. If we are truly disciples of Christ, and in love with Christ, our only response is one of love — a love that flows out in action whether there is an expressed need or not. If all we do is ask for money in our churches and people have not truly felt the love of God in their lives calling for a response, all efforts will begin and end with money because hearts have not changed. When hearts have changed, action will follow.
September 22nd, 2005 @ 8:36 am
Ah, such words of insight, wisdom and understanding, Rita! Thank you.
This is Frances. Absolutely, discipleship, in all its forms, begins and ends with love — being truly in love with Christ and having experienced a profound conversion because of God’s love for us. Ours is simply a response to the First Love. When we really “get it” — “get” God’s love, how can our response be anything less than operating out of our deep love and sense of belovedness?
And, isn’t that one of the questions that Nouwen raises? How can we, through fundraising and/or stewardship efforts help others know of their belovedness?
October 3rd, 2005 @ 3:37 pm
I like your insight as well Rita. Here’s a question though: does action follow change or is action and agent of change? In fundraising terms, by giving people a course of action (opportunities to give), are we providing people with an avenue through which they can experience transformation in Christ?
October 7th, 2005 @ 7:13 pm
(Henry comments) Brian……..you raise an interesting question….One that points, in some sense, to the “chicken and egg” context that, as fundraisers, we at times find ourselves in. I am thinking specifically of the fact that “action” (giving) is often the result of some form/act of “transformation” in one’s life–an example being the “awareness” of an opportunity or “calling” that often preceeds a large gift. (An example from my own experience as a fundraiser is an elderly woman who “saw” in a gift of $2.0 million through her estate a way to have a lasting impact on the world by “helping people see”………(the gift was to an Eye Center). That action followed a new understanding of a “way that opened” through our conversations about the potential impact of her gift.
In many other contexts, however, the act of giving itself leads to a deeper understanding of oneself and, from a faith perspective, our relationship to the world and other people. As a result, the giver becomes the receiver as a result of the gift.
October 18th, 2005 @ 4:48 pm
My computer has been down for the past few weeks. It is good to be back online! Although rather late, I would like to respond to your question Brian. First of all, fundraising is a very challenging ministry because results (or lack of them) seem so very apparent. As Frances has already mentioned, it is hard to decide whether action precedes change or vice versa. I believe that the two go hand in hand and cannot really be separated. If we were to stop all fundraising plans until conversion takes place, we may not have facilities in which to worship! The bottom line for me, though, is that our people will be more joy-filled and spirit-led if change occurs from within. Who knows what the ‘yeast’ will be that causes someone to have that ‘awe’ experience that leads to transformation in his or her life. At some moment the spirit speaks to a person in a way that they have not heard before – it could be opportunities given through ministry of various kinds, a word spoken with someone else, or a private prayer moment. The list is endless. I feel that we need to keep moving forward in the ministry activities that we have embraced and live in the peace and hope that our actions do make a difference whether we see the results or not. May just believing this, may help us through the times when we feel that our efforts are in vain.
October 22nd, 2005 @ 12:51 am
I believe Rita has made a great point! I hearken back to the time of the prophets before Jesus was born. These were people who lived and suffered for a future spoken to them by the spirit. They made predictions, prophesies, and led the battle against evil very much on a solitary basis. If it were not for these courageous men and women, what would have happened? However, due to their efforts, peace lived on. It is important to gather together as Christians, believers, and builders of a world where peace reigns, justice is equitable, and forgiveness is a prime mandate. True, it is difficult to move forward in a monetary manner, but then again, is not the will of God and money contrary to one another. Money cannot dominate God, God dominates money. Let us put our faith in God who gives us what we need, whether it be money, food, clothes, or shelter. As Jesus the carpenter lived on the basis of his sweat and tears, so must one live accordingly. Having too much deprives others, while having just the right amount is a key to the Kingdom. Implied in this is one putting one’s heart into one’s work, whether it be carpentry, the presidency, or raising money for a charitable cause. Putting people’s donated money to good use is a vocation of administration of funds. Let all fund-raising be geared towards causes which are created by God’s will and not for the sake of fund-raising. When God is behind the need for raising fund, the task must get done.
November 12th, 2005 @ 1:30 pm
Interesting point. Clearly the motivation–and purpose of the ask–and why an organization needs financial support–is at the heart of when fundraising is ministry. Clearly there is a lot of fundraising in the world that is not ministry.
There is, however, another level to the question. For many people fundraising is simply “a job”. For another person–raising funds for the same organization–the act of fundraising is ministry. What distinguishes one example from the other?
To me, the answer lies in whether or not one’s role as a fundraiser–like one’s role in any other aspect of one’s life–is defined in terms of what we believe God has “called us” to do.
January 3rd, 2006 @ 11:06 pm
I have enjoyed reading this conversation. Brian, I respect your heart and efforts as it is very apparent that you desire Godliness. Rita, your thoughts were helpful and were very wise. In my brief experience of fund-raising, my wife and I have seen God work beautifully in the ask. While terrified in the car on the way over and while sitting on the couch right before the asks, we were blown away by God’s goodness. We were more thrilled with the responses of people’s insight and a glimpse of their souls than we were with the money that they gave. Henri’s perspective on this is refreshing and helpful in our pursuit of fundraising. The essential element, in my opinion, is the following of a God-led movement. If God has opened doors and is communicating the need for a new ministry or whatever to occur, a simple faith is the peaceful rock that we stand on. Faith that God wants this to happen and the money will be there.
February 12th, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
Brian: I appreciate your comment. Oftentimes people are “scared” of fundraising because of the deep seated conflict that occurs when we are pulled between a perception of ourselves as “taking” from another person rather than “opening up” an opportunity for partnership with them.
People who geniunely believe that they are “called” to a work or ministry–and recognize the opportunity to provide a vehicle for people to “partner” in their ministry are usually not intimidated by the fundraising process. Why? Because they understand that they are extending “through the ask” an invitation into partnership in a task that God has called them to undertake.
Again, I appreciated your comments.