- 1). Assign leaders to manage the process. Expecting the pastor to head up a fund drive in addition to all the other pastoral duties is a sure way to encourage failure. Dynamic, persuasive leaders within the church need to step up to manage and shepherd the drive.
- 2). Determine the exact need and goal. It is not enough to say, "The church needs a new organ," and expect people to get excited. The people want to hear, "The church needs a new WhirlyGig-3000 Organ with 200 pipes and 54 voices that will be the finest in the town, and it's going to cost $35,411."
They need to be able to visualize the end goal and what it will do for them, and the church. From a new blacktop parking lot that keeps parishioners from stepping into the mud to a new building wing for the growing children's ministry, the details, along with the projected costs, need to be up front and available. - 3). Create a sense of urgency. People put off what they can, and if they think that they can put off giving with no harm being done, they will. Give people a reason to give now, instead of waiting until "the time is right."
- 4). Ask key donors early. Before the fund-raising drive is rolled out to the entire church, identify prospective major givers and ask for a substantial gift. Campaigns that start with an announcement that the goal is already in sight because of early giving gives donors the desire to finish what was started instead of feeling that they have to shoulder the entire load themselves.
- 5). Take pledges for long-term projects. Not every family can write a check for what their heart tells them to do. Providing a way to give a small amount weekly or monthly enables even the smallest donor to feel they are contributing substantially. And those smaller amounts do add up over a period of time.
- 6). Exercise good follow up and accountability. Ensure that the congregation knows how the fund drive is going. Track those who have pledged, and encourage those who are behind to catch up if they can. If the church is growing with many new members attending, revisit the pledge opportunity every three months and allow the new families to join.
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