Understanding Fundraising

Some Biblical Perspectives on Financial Support

Trust God for daily living needs and support (MT 6:25-34)The worker is worth his keep (Luke 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:18)Believers sharing possessions with one another (Acts 5:32-37)Different churches support workers (Phil. 4:18-19)Tentmaking where people supply in their own needs (Acts 18:3). Paul an exampleSupport from other churches for church in Jerusalem

Different forms of Fundraising Through friends, family and known churches– lists of

contact details of friends and family needed – in country and outside. Communicate with them and tell them what you do.

Through existing donors “Marketing” of projects through Newsletters, website,

leaflets, exhibits, posters, magazines, national and local newspapers, etc

Through fundraising events organised by Strategic Resource Advocates – the more the better – Stephen Longley very good example

Specific fundraising appeals eg Lego Appeal Trusts and Foundations

Remember raise funds not only in “rich” countries, but especially in local

communities!

Important in all Fundraising VenturesGood and clear photos of activities and people being helpedStories and news about changes in the lives of people, especially children

Need to touch the hearts of people Need to explain changed livesNeed to show impact of work

Results are extremely important

Fundraising through Strategic Resource Advocates

A Strategic Resource Advocate (SRA) is any Christian who has a burden for a specific people, poor area or ministry in the world. An SRA uses his or her time and talents in mobilising resources to relieve the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of that specific group or area

Prayer – find new people to support work in fields financially

Raise awareness in newspapers, churches, radio, individuals, etc

Physical equipment and resources

Sponsorships for national missionaries, children and families

Investment in and trading with small businesses in that area

Links - schools, towns, businesses and even families

Fundraising events such as fairs, breakfasts, concerts, sponsored events, etc

Example of Successful WIN Fundraising Events

Mirza family concertsAzerbaijan dinnersSouthdowns challenge walk

Remember!!!!

Personal contacts and links are always the best way to raise funds and resources.

If you get people excited about your ministry, they will give money to the

ministry and tell other people about the good work you are doing. They become your

“marketing agents”.

Ask these people to introduce your work to other potential donors.

Get more people excited about your work if you want more support!

Trusts and Foundations

Extremely difficult to raise funds through Trusts and Foundations

Extremely time consumingMany Trusts based in countries of needs – applications for funding has to go through

these offices eg governmentsNormally just to get an answer from Trust can take between 6-12 months – then it is often a further process to get application

acceptedEach Trust has its own criteria and niche

Criteria for fundraising from Trusts

Trusts support most often issues relevant to the community from where the application comes as well as issues to the global community eg

AIDSDisaster reliefImmediate famineWar situations and Refugees Micro-finance/business developmentThreat to security of rich communities or rich people – cultivation of drugs Areas that might be of “greater importance” to trust – English Trusts greater interest in Africa, very little in East Asia

Criteria for fundraising from TrustsProjects that generate positive stories and produce touching photos, especially of children

Clear dramatic photos extremely important – send it even before money has been received!150 word stories of how project has changed the lives of individual children (situation of children before and after project)

Need to address real need of community – must be able to show the need is not just your idea. Needs to be well-researched often before the time.Project needs to be innovative and cutting edge to provide competitive edge over other projects – something that few other people are doing

AIDS Care Kits

Criteria for fundraising from Trusts

Have to show that applicant has achieved success without outside funding and that they have been willing to put own resources and time into getting project going. If organisation cannot show that, it is impossible to raise resources

Schools that have been built by communities in UgandaSmall groups in Crimea

Sustainability of project – money is given so that more money can be generated so that no money will be asked later

Parable of the talents – given so that more can be generatedGive cow so that organisation can get milk and use the milk to sell (generate income) or to drink (save money in buying milk)How – concert as part of puppet theatre programme, £1 added to £9 for AIDS Care Kits to generate new income, selling services of project, etc

Criteria for fundraising from Trusts

Nature of projectMost Christian donor organisations like to give money for projects that address social problems and church planting/evangelism simultaneously eg Crimea Integrated-business development programmeGive money to make project self-sustainable eg acquisition of land in India

Measurable results – have to show how many people will be impacted by project

Many donors often divide the number of people helped by the project into the amount applying for to get a “cost per head changed” figure. The higher the cost per head the more difficult it is to get fundingEasier to get funding for projects that will benefit large number of people than for ones that will benefit a few eg orphanage

Criteria for fundraising from Trusts

With Christian donors – clear evangelistic intentionScale of organisation – how big is organisation and would it be able to cope with new project. Also leadership, affiliation of organisation and governing of organisationNetworking with other structures of society – multi-stakeholder partnerships

Show credibility and willingness to co-operate with othersNetworking and partnerships help partners to utilise individual expertise for common goodEasier to get funding when number of partners are involved applicationNetworking with churches, government, business leaders, charities, and community leaders

Criteria for fundraising from TrustsProjects need to be specific – try to do one thing good with project rather than trying to do many things poorlyMatch funding is extremely important – donors like to give part of the budget. If you can show that you have individuals, companies, etc that is willing to sponsor the rest, it will make funding easier

Ask for funding for management of project if you can find other donors to fund equipment – eg AIDS project where Trust will fund Management and Administration of Care Groups and funding for Care Kits will be raised through churches

Trusts look at accounts – will not give more than what you can use – do one project, do well and expand with larger application next time

Criteria for fundraising from Trusts

If you have received money, use money for what it was given . DO NOT use it to pay outstanding rent, to pay for your children’s school fees, pay for other workshops, buy yourself a taxi, etc. That will be the end of the funding!Good financial accounting and annual reports and financial statements are requirements before even applying for funding. Regular reporting. Without that funding will stopSome projects are very difficult if not nearly impossible to fund:

Building projectsRunning costs for institutionsVehicles

Missiological development of question

Henry Venn and Rufus Anderson - marks of an independent church - three selves

Self governingSelf expandingSelf financing

Glenn Shwartz - stop all support - leave church as it isK.P. Yohannan - give all support to national workers. Leave foreigners at home. Patrick Johnstone - just sending money create dependency - send people and money

Towards an approach - how could foreigners assist national workers?

Ask what is God’s will If people have a heart for sharing the Good News with others, they will do so irrespective whether they suffer or not - Malawian bicycle outreachWesterners who come as short-term missionary tourists and spend much of money on themselves, might cause serious resentmentWrong example – Westerners rich, others poor. Share wealth!Help local churches in giving more and support work more - educational/discipleship process

Towards an approach - how could foreigners assist national workers?

Assist in business/enterprise developmentStart enterprise development groupsMicro-financeBusiness links - Search-SupplyTrading/selling products (Ten Forty Trading)Tourism developmentComputer centresLife skills centresManufacturing workshopsAgricultural development

Towards an approach - how could foreigners assist national workers?

Develop Strategic Evangelistic Partnerships (SEPs) – link churches with one anotherNational missionary/missionary children sponsorshipsEstablishing Mission Development FundsGoods and resources - not hand outs!Provide Networks

Dr. Sas Conradie

14 Streele ViewUckfield

East Sussex,TN22 1UG,

Tel: (01825) 768252Email: ggncoord@gmail.com