GCA was pleased to have Fred Marsh come in and share with conference attendees some strategies for fund raising. This module is a necessary part of the “Foundation” curriculum because, in many denominations, church planters are responsible to raise their own support. Without funding at the denominational level, the planter is responsible to “drive the funding process.” Coming from the Presbyterian Church in America’s Mission to North America, Fred’s material assumes this “independent” fundraising model.
Here are some goals for church planters to set for themselves as they seek to formalize a financial plan:
- Use your church planting plan in fund raising. Some potential donors will want to know that you have your act together. You should be able to explain your vision and mission to anyone who asks, including donors. This is probably common sense to most of us, but it bears mentioning.
- Determine your initial financial Financial Support Model. This model will vary depending upon your denomination, whether you have a “parent” church, and a host of other factors. Exhaust all of your options before you decide on a course of action. For instance, you may consider a bi-vocational or “tent making” ministry early on.
- Develop a financial budget for the next 2-3 years. This is where the “rubber” of your Financial Support Model meets the “road” of your actual donor network and financial needs. Thinking this far ahead will help you understand how realistic your vision is. It will also show donors that you’re serious about seeing your church planting plan put to action.
- Identify prospective donors. Again, this is common sense. If you’re going to be doing any amount of fund-raising, then you need to figure out who you are going to approach. There will be some donors who are able to give a lot. Others will be able to give less. Everyone deserves your attention. Keep in mind, though, that it’s not wrong to give large donors personal attention. If you don’t do this, they may never understand the difference that their generosity can make.
- Design a structured, personalized process for contacting and following up with donors. Remember, your donors will be with you for many years. Very generous donors will also want to know that their gift is making a difference. So it’s imperative for church planters to be communicating with donors and telling them how their gifts are being used.
- Develop the necessary policies for financial management and accountability. Church planters have found themselves in hot water in the past because they were the sole parties responsible for making a myriad of financial decisions. It’s in everyone’s best interest if some plan for management and accountability is put in place. I know a church planter who has a whole financial team consisting of regular attenders helping him make important decisions. That’s just one option.
- While you need to have a detailed budget, it is generally unwise to make it public. It’s too detailed for most donors. Instead, let them know how much money you need to raise (excluding your core group).
One more thing: There are people out there who are blessed with wealth and a spirit of generosity who are looking to get involved in funding a ministry – one that they can get behind and in which they can believe. Those people are the one’s to seek out. You are not trying to persuade people to give against their wills. The goal in fund-raising is to mobilize generous, godly people and to give them an opportunity to come beside you in ministry.