Understanding Fundraising Some Biblical Perspectives on Financial

Understanding Fundraising

Some Biblical Perspectives on Financial Support Trust God for daily living needs and support (MT 6: 2534) 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 example Support 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 Ventures Good and clear photos of activities and people being helped Stories and news about changes in the lives of people, especially children Need to touch the hearts of people Need to explain changed lives Need 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 concerts Azerbaijan dinners Southdowns 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 consuming Many Trusts based in countries of needs – applications for funding has to go through these offices eg governments Normally just to get an answer from Trust can take between 6 -12 months – then it is often a further process to get application accepted Each Trust has its own criteria and niche

Criteria for fundraising from Trusts support most often issues relevant to the community from where the application comes as well as issues to the global community eg AIDS Disaster relief Immediate famine War situations and Refugees Micro-finance/business development Threat 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 Trusts Projects 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 wellresearched 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 Uganda Small 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 generated Give 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 project Most Christian donor organisations like to give money for projects that address social problems and church planting/evangelism simultaneously eg Crimea Integrated-business development programme Give money to make project self-sustainable eg acquisition of land in India Measurable results – have to show 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 funding Easier 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 intention Scale of organisation – how big is organisation and would it be able to cope with new project. Also leadership, affiliation of organisation and governing of organisation Networking with other structures of society – multi-stakeholder partnerships Show credibility and willingness to co-operate with others Networking and partnerships help partners to utilise individual expertise for common good Easier to get funding when number of partners are involved application Networking with churches, government, business leaders, charities, and community leaders

Criteria for fundraising from Trusts Projects need to be specific – try to do one thing good with project rather than trying to do many things poorly Match 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 stop Some projects are very difficult if not nearly impossible to fund: Building projects Running costs for institutions Vehicles

Missiological development of question Henry Venn and Rufus Anderson - marks of an independent church - three selves Self governing Self expanding Self financing Glenn Shwartz - stop all support - leave church as it is K. 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 outreach Westerners who come as short-term missionary tourists and spend much of money on themselves, might cause serious resentment Wrong 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 development Start enterprise development groups Micro-finance Business links - Search-Supply Trading/selling products (Ten Forty Trading) Tourism development Computer centres Life skills centres Manufacturing workshops Agricultural development

Towards an approach - how could foreigners assist national workers? Develop Strategic Evangelistic Partnerships (SEPs) – link churches with one another National missionary/missionary children sponsorships Establishing Mission Development Funds Goods and resources - not hand outs! Provide Networks

Dr. Sas Conradie 14 Streele View Uckfield East Sussex, TN 22 1 UG, Tel: (01825) 768252 Email: ggncoord@gmail. com