Next discussion scheduled for Advent

24 Comments »

1. Rosie Perera:
   October 21st, 2009 @ 4:12 pm

   I wish I had known about fundraising as ministry when I served on the board of a non-profit foundation. I was very uncomfortable with my expected role of introducing wealthy friends to the foundation to be “hit up” for money. Of course it wasn’t really like that. A long period of developing a relationship would ensue before anyone would be invited to consider giving, but it still felt like “using” my friends, so I was very reluctant to suggest any names. If I had read Nouwen’s booklet back then, and known how fundraising could be a ministry to these people, boy would it have transformed my experiencing of serving on the board!

2. Henry Freeman:
   October 15th, 2009 @ 1:34 pm

   Thanks Larry for your thoughtful comment regarding fundraising as ministry. At some point in the next day or so, I will put a “note” in the Week 3 comments section suggesting that folks take a look at your most recent post on Week One (here)………I think people will find your comment interesting–especially the concept of “listening and healing” as important to fundraising. A wonderful discussion could also emerge around the tension most of us face at times between our efforts to “understand” when so much in us is wired by our need to be understood.

   Henry

3. Larry Spears:
   October 15th, 2009 @ 1:07 pm

   I have been on the road for most of the past two weeks and am now catching-up with this great blog.

   I very much view fundraising as a form of ministry for the common good. At its best, fundraising allows for the creation of a better, more caring society.

   Robert K. Greenleaf wrote powerfully on the theme of servant-leadership, and on a series of characteristics of effective servant-leaders. Two of those characteristics–listening and healing–are also important in fundraising.

   The ability to listen carefully to the interests (even needs) of prospective donors, and to understand and convey the needs of a philanthropic institution, is at the heart of our work. Greenleaf was fond of quoting St. Francis of Assisi, who said: “Grant that I may not seek first to be understood, but to understand.”

   I believe that the characteristic of “healing” is one of the direct outcomes of the fundraiser’s work. This healing occurs in many different ways. Depending upon the organization, the healing aspect of fundraising may encompass a kind of spiritual healing that involves the donor, the institution, those whom are served by the institution, and also the person who is raising monies for a given cause or institution. The noted Jewish Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was a friend of Greenleaf’s in his later years. I end with this quote by Heschel which seems relevant here: “All worlds are in need of exhaltation, and everyone is charged to lift what is low, to unite what lies apart, to advance what is left behind.” –Larry

4. Henry Freeman:
   October 14th, 2009 @ 10:40 am

   Ogden–Thank you for your very perceptive comments. I love your statement about “being reminded” that “I(We)am merely a farmer, engaging with the land and sowing the seeds of the Gospel…..” What a poetic statement and use of words!

5. Ogden Tabb:
   October 13th, 2009 @ 3:50 pm

   The concept of vulnerability is one that God has been developing in me in all areas of my ministry.
   At Young Life we take kids to Camp regularly, and we believe in our Camp design as a highly effective tool for proclaiming the Gospel in the lives of teenagers. I have seen countless kids’ lives changed at YL Camp. However, this past summer I took a kid to Camp who flatly refused to respond. Instead he held tightly to his logically ridiculous self-made religion (this single sentence cannot do the instance justice). I was baffled, exhausted and frustrated by the experience. In prayer one morning near the end of the week the Lord reminded me that I’m not so eloquent a communicator of the Gospel that I can change a kid’s heart with my fancy words and superior logic. He reminded me that I am merely a farmer, engaging with the land and sowing the seeds of the Gospel that the Spirit will have to water and reap in His timing by His power.
   This is what we seem to be called to as “vulnerable” fundraisers–engaging with others in our community, sowing the seeds of our vision and mission, and allowing the Spirit to convert and produce as He see fit.
   This should make me exhale and say “the pressure’s off!!!”

6. Ogden Tabb:
   October 13th, 2009 @ 3:39 pm

   In order for fundraising to truly be a form of ministry in the manner that Nouwen has defined and described, it must be a part of an integrated life of ministry.
   In my experience fundraising has been a compartment of my job that I address intentionally when it requires attention. When approached in this manner it is nearly impossible to announce vision and invite participation. Rather, I end up proclaiming our balance sheet status and begging for someone to come fix the problem.
   I think that I tend to compartmentalize fundraising because I don’t in fact view it as ministry. Part of my goal in this discussion will be to develop a genuine view of fundraising as ministry such that it is integrated almost seamlessly into the other elements of ministry that I am so passionate about.

7. Henry Freeman:
   October 8th, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

   Duane–Well said………Fundraising–when it is ministry–does, indeed, result in the deepening of relationships. Indeed, if the process of fundraising results in the diminishing of the relationship then the term or description of it as “an act of ministry” would be a very uncomfortable “fit”.

8. Duane Fickeisen:
   October 8th, 2009 @ 7:13 am

   Yes, stewardship is a ministry of relationship building and offering ways for donors to participate in making their passion reality. That means we must be good, active listeners who invest in exploring what matters to the potential donor, seeking alignment of organizational and personal vision and mission. The phrase in this first chapter of Henri’s text that most stood out for me is “fund-raising is also always a call to conversion.” For indeed, my own experience has been that generous giving (of money and of time) on my part leads me to be an active participant in the work of transformation and to a conversion of heart. It results in a deeper relationship, and in fulfilling God’s call to bring more love to the world.

9. Henry Freeman:
   October 5th, 2009 @ 8:30 am

   Kwen–Thank you for your thoughtful comments. The shift from, as you describe it, the measurement of success as solely in terms of “how much is raised” (the quantitative sum) to one where you are looking at the qualitative impact on people’s lives–both as a result of the funds raised and the engagement of people in fundraising as a “partnership/community-building enterprise”–is important.

   Yes, fundraising will always be measured by the dollars raised–but that is, clearly, not the only measurement that is important.

   Henry

10. Kwen Ip:
    October 5th, 2009 @ 5:58 am

    When I “answered the call” to be involved in advancement 4 years ago, i had no past experience except for my own experience of being drawn in as a willing donor. I had my vision enlarged of God Who loves so much and Who had so amazingly birthed and sustained this, His work, that without hesitation, I wanted to be involved as a donor. Since then, when I have been at a loss to know what to do, I’d think back to what helped me “see” this and try and create the same experiences for our friends: to help others see differently, to “experience a deep shift in how we see and think and act”. As I have continued to grow in this, I have noticed my focus shift from (predominantly) the quantitative sum raised to also (if not more)the qualitative impact of lives responding to God - both are actually part of the same continuum.

11. Henry Freeman:
    October 4th, 2009 @ 2:21 pm

    Having just returned from several days in a campaign planning retreat for one of my clients, I was pleased to return to the thoughtful comments provided above by Rose, Laura, and Janet. I was particularly struck by a “common theme” reflected in your comments (Rose in comment 11 and Janet in 13)–namely negative experiences with “professional fundraisers” and the fundraising process when you are “hit up” (as we all have been) for support?

    Reading your comments reminded me of an experience with my wife about 10 years ago around our dining room table after she got off the phone with a solicitor whose call had interupted our dinner. “I hate FUNDRAISERS” my normally mild-tempered wife proclaimed to her husband who has beared that label for more than 30 years. When I reminded her “who she was married to” she retorted, “Oh, not YOU–you care about people and the organizations you work with…………I mean FUNDRAISERS–people who try not to let you get away without giving them money, people who try to manipulate you, people who “do it” but don’t really care about the other person.”

    We have all had that experience………and, quite frankly, there are any number of people for whom the joy of fundraising centers around “liking selling someting” or being able to persuade someone to “do something”. There are, however, many people for whom fundraising is “far more” and a “far more meaningful experience”.

    So how do we “move to” understanding fundraising in a different light after we have tasted it as a negative experience? The first step, I believe, is simply to recognize that–at its best–fundraising is and can be grounded in something far more positive, far more joyful, and far more meaningful. Indeed, a first step is to recognize (as Henri certainly does!)that fundraising is not–at its heart–”about money”…..rather it is about engaging people in a “shared journey”, “building community”, “drawing people together around a shared vision or “common good”. In that context, how could it NOT be a profession–or experience–that people want to embrace and be part of?

    I am sure that much of this insight will unfold in coming weeks. I am, for example, looking forward to the chapter on “asking”. Why? Because “when done well” (and everyone–without exception–I believe is capable of “doing it well”)results in “the person asked” having a positive experience that often ends with a “thank you” (for asking me!) rather than the feeling that they have been “hit up” or “manipulated”. In turn, the process of “asking” is a positive experience as well “for the asker”. (The key to being a good fundraiser is not “learning to be a fundraiser………Rather, the key is learning–and embracing the concept–that fundraising is a process of “invitation and community-building” that “has very little to do with” the negative experiences we have all had “with fundraisers” (like the ones my wife HATES)who leave a bad taste in mouth.

    Enought of my rambling………..Any one else want to jump in with a comment or two?

    Henry

12. Janet Bohren:
    October 3rd, 2009 @ 2:18 pm

    I just lost everything I wrote because I forgot to enter the security code. Bummer.

    The idea of generosity grounded in relatedness … our relatedness to needs, resources and Jesus. That is the new idea about fund raising that struck me as so simple and yet so profoundly correct in the preface and chp. 1.

    My husband and I are considering joining a new church that has a big mortgage and has lost a big chunk of funding they need to make up. They are preparing for a capital campaign and have hired some professionals to lead it. The last time I experienced “professional fund raising” at a church I left the church and I still (after 10 years) feel anger when I think of their fund raising strategies. I wonder what will happen in this new church. My goal is to react generously. I hope reading Nouwen’s refreshing and so well grounded ideas will give me more insight into the process.

13. Laura Cootsona:
    October 3rd, 2009 @ 11:58 am

    Henri’s definition has formed me in many ways. I have had many experiences with InterVarsity, Young Life, Mission to the World, FOCUS and dozens of individuals going out on short and long term projects to train folks to raise support. In this model, I espouse Pete Sommer’s concept of “Getting Sent” (IVPress). Many missionaries would much prefer to pay their own way. In fact, many short termers do. I believe that financial partnership is a key way we share the opportunities we have with others. We share the benefits and we share the the potential/inevitable pain. When we go it alone, we are exposed and I would say we actually hoard God’s mission for ourselves. Asking for partnership, financial partnership, we build a full team. Some get to go, and some get to send. But just as we see in 1 Cor. there is no favoritism to one role or the other. Now when I encounter short termers who want to write the check, I challenge them to write only 50% of the check and invite their small group, family members, church members, and personal cheering section to pay the rest. In fact, I will be leading a trip through Agros going to Honduras in March, and will do this for myself!

14. Rose:
    October 2nd, 2009 @ 5:38 pm

    I read this afternoon (I THINK page 7 but forget), that asking for money for your charity is not secular and is as spiritual as praying, caring for the sick etc., — and difficult to admit that that reflection made me feel a little guilty. When I was on “soliciting” end of things for my child’s parish youth ministry several times I really wished I would win the lottery be able to donate it all myself. When I would get “hit up” via phone or mail I would really get annoyed. Now I’m having pangs of conscience and wish I would have had this valued resource 20 years ago. I never understood the community building aspect before and would often instead of volunteering my “hour” at a school bake sale, just send in a cake and a $20 bill and exempt myself….. This is an eye opener!
    - Rose

15. Henry Freeman:
    October 2nd, 2009 @ 3:06 pm

    Sheila–Thank you for your thoughts and words regarding fundraising as, as you say, a “fearful” activity. I am interested in hearing how others respond to your comments–which, I believe, speak to the heart of how many people experience fundraising.

    And Sharon, you are right. Henri’s small book is for many people a “breath of fresh air” in regard to its message about fundraising as what I like to describe as “an invitation to partnership” on a common (and important) journey rather than simply asking for money.

16. Sharon K. Hall:
    October 2nd, 2009 @ 12:12 pm

    Being a very small time fund-raiser, peanuts even, just have to say that this little booklet is like a breath of fresh air, offering a different way of looking at asking and receiving money for different worthwhile causes. “From the perspective of the gospel, fund-raising is not a response to a crisis” is an eye-popping statement for me. The idea that we always need to be in relationship. My need is to prayerfully spend more time thinking about vision and ministry needs and how to communicate that to others so they see the benefit of being involved on the spiritual level on these projects, the first need for us being together. Perhaps, when the young Girl Scouts ask for cookie money, instead of just taking it for granted that this is to raise money for camps, crafts, badge activities, etc., I should ask each one what the money will be going for, what is her dream and vision as to how the money will be used to benefit her and others and help make this a better world for everyone. The answers might be surprising and maybe contain information that will be more inspiring and gospel focussed than I could figure out from what I thought I knew and lead to fund-raising that is conversion instead of seen as marketing. I’m thankful to start to see fund-raising in a more positive light and also more scriptural.

17. Sheila McShane:
    October 2nd, 2009 @ 10:38 am

    I am re reading this booklet and was delighted to see the opportunity to share. I am home now on vacation and must spend some moments sharing our mission and requesting others to share in their bounty. Drought and poverty have brought about a state of CALAMITY in Guatemala being proclaimed for Hunger. Needs are great and yet I do often feel fearful or hesitant when there is an unepected opportunity and then regret. It is easier for me to sell crafts and beaded jewelry for profit than to share my vision and have a more spontaneous giving of self of others. I am sure this too is part of not wanting to be rejected. When people I share with are friends, family or have been to our mission their sharing is more spontaneous. I have power point and blog to make the needs more visible but I want to be a more effective joyful fundraiser in presenting our needs.

18. Henry Freeman:
    October 2nd, 2009 @ 8:36 am

    Thank you, Rachel and Mark, for your thoughtful insights.

    Rachel–your observations regarding the tendency to “fall back into” fundraising as selling and marketing (even by many organizations that at the same time have a deep commitment to fundraising as ministry)I believe reflects the fact that there is an inherent (at least for me) underlying feeling of “vulnerability” when we approach fundraising as ministry. When “selling a product” we are in control of both the message and activity. When engaged in “ministry”–whether fundraising or not–we are engaged in a relationship (with the other person) where control is shared. Ultimately (wearing purely my “professional fundraiser’s hat”–as someone who has done this work for more than 30 years–I “know” that that “vulnerability” is good not only for the fundraiser but also the donor and the organization/non-profit/ministry we represent. Specifically–you will “raise more money” (long-term) when fundraising is “your ministry” than you will when it is something you approach as a salesperson. Furthermore, it will be a far more fulfilling profession to be in.

    Mark–I can really understand your statement that you “still struggle when you are with the wealthy”. While that part of my career/life is long behind me,it is often the experience of expressing a wealthy person’s “poverty” that opens the door to the person who is “behind the wealth”. Have you taken a look at the video (there is a link in the announcement section for this blog) on “Making Space for Wealthy (and Well-Known) People at the Table”? I would be interested in how it relates to the issue you raise here.

    Thank you for your insights and thoughtful discussion!

19. Mark P. Fisher:
    October 1st, 2009 @ 4:09 pm

    Henri’s book was one of the first books I read after having the leadership baton passed to me in our ministry. His words were like a cool, refreshing glass of water. I moved from fear to vision. From begging to joining and inviting. But I still struggle when I am with the wealthy. This week I played golf with one of our primary ministry partners. I was uptight. Worried I would say the wrong thing. He was gracious. Others centered. I really wanted to say – you are such an example of a generous, selfless life and yet I didn’t think about it until later. All the while I was trying to have fun and be fully present. How do I relax in these moments?

20. Rachel Cobb:
    October 1st, 2009 @ 3:22 pm

    These first few pages have been somewhat of a revelation for me. It’s so important for spiritual leaders to have integrity and authenticity, which is one of the big problems I’ve had in the past with fundraising efforts in the church. It seems as if there’s a tendency to encourage proof-texting and sometimes even a bit of manipulation of certain key Scriptures. I’ve never been comfortable with that and I especially dislike feeling like I’m being “sold” or marketed to. In comparison, the tone of this book is fresh and positive instead of calculating and cynical. It’s definitely a tone and an attitude that I’d like to emulate in my own work.

21. Henry Freeman:
    October 1st, 2009 @ 2:43 pm

    Irene and Brian–Thank you for your thoughts and observations as to how you personally relate to the concept of fundraising as ministry in your own work. One of the concepts I find to be helpful (and, I believe, is very much grounded in Henri’s understanding of ministry) is that how each of us defines our work will, largely, shape: a) how we approach our work and b) how others “see” our work. Specifically, if we define fundraising as “sales” (as many people do) then we will approach our work as a “salesperson”–and people will “see us”–and what we do through that lense. For those of us who work for or with a ministry (such as a church or faith-based organization) defining fundraising as ministry is a bit easier because the people we work with will, most likely, understand what we are talking about. It is, however, far more difficult (I believe) to “hold onto” the concept of fundraising as ministry when we are working for an organization that doesn’t clearly identify with that label. (For example, a social service agency or non-profit that does very important work but is not faith-based.) Even, however, in a context where “others” see fundraising in a different light, I have found that how you/we define it is far more important–both in “making our work ministry” and the impact of that work on ourselves and others–than how others define what we “as fundraisers” do.

    Any thoughts?

22. Brian Fort:
    October 1st, 2009 @ 11:43 am

    “Fund-raising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.”
    1) How does this—Henri’s “definition” of fund-raising–resonate with your own experience?
    I totally agree with this definition. My first and foremost job is to proclaim the gospel of Christ. Second, I am to build up and encourage followers of Christ to use the gifts they have been given. By doing so I encourage the growth of those people who have the gift of giving (Rom. 12:8b). As these people become better stewards, God’s kingdom is enriched. Lastly, my job is to ask for gifts for my ministry. The givers view is now that of a steward and not an owner and it makes all the difference.

23. Irene M. Nerney, RSM:
    October 1st, 2009 @ 11:08 am

    I have always approached Fundraising this way, I am a Sister of Mercy, and do believe when asking our donors, and doing any solicitation of any nature, it is always done in this manner. Monies raised are people partnering with us to advance our mission.

    Fundraising is about relationships. establishing relationships with people who believe in who we are and what we do

24. Henry Freeman:
    October 1st, 2009 @ 7:24 am

    Knowing that those of you who are introverts may wait for someone else to “offer the first comment”, I’ll simply say……..hm……..two very interesting questions. (If I do say so myself.) So……what are your thoughts?

    Henry

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