If finding a mega donor would solve your church’s fundraising woes, this blog is for you!
In our series of 25 fundraising ideas for churches, we’re exploring ways to grow your giving. In today’s post, we’re talking about how we find those donors who have the capacity and passion to make transformational gifts to your ministries.
In all my years of working with donors, nonprofits, and ministries, I’ve VERY rarely come across an organization that gets a major gift from someone they’re not closely connected to. So I can assure you that waiting and hoping for a major donor to walk through your door with a $1 million check is akin to playing the lottery, but with even worse odds!
Today’s fundraising idea for ‘finding your mega donor’ begins with the likelihood that your best donors likely are already connected to you. It may be a young family whose long-term experience with your church will lead them to make a transformational gift 10 years from now. It may be a retired member of your congregation who names the church as beneficiary of his or her life insurance policy. And so often, our best donors also are the faithful givers who step up each year with a tithe or annual gift and are silently waving at us that they could do more if we spent the time to ask.
As you have new members join your congregation, connect them with those who can share their own tithing or giving experience. Your faithful givers can be examples and mentors to those who are new to you or new to the faith and may not have been exposed to the concepts of sacrificial generosity.
Spend some time assessing your givers’ donation patterns and also with them personally to learn what motivates them. By doing so, you will be in the best position to identify and cultivate the future major donors who are sitting in your pews or your choir loft today. Don’t wait for the mega donor to walk through the door: cultivate the committed members you have into donors who truly make an impact.
Our partnership with ACST enables us to come alongside churches looking for guidance. If you’d like counsel about building your mid-level or major donor outreach program, we’d be happy to connect with you.
About Tim Smith
Tim has over 30 years of experience in Church, Non-Profit Administration, Management, and Fund Development. Serving as an Executive Pastor and Chief Development Officer in growing Churches and Non-Profit Organizations. He has provided a wide range of expertise and resources. Tim serves as the Founder and CEO of Non-Profit DNA. A boutique firm committed to helping nonprofits and churches. By building their capacity through fundraising, leadership, team building, staff recruiting, and coaching.
