Random thoughts about fundraising for ministry programs/projects: The secret of a good fundraising program is relationship, connection, communication, authenticity in asking, accountability, giving timely reports (meaning taking the initiative and not waiting for your donor to ask about IV programs/projects/staff where they helped and gave financial support), good stewardship of gifts, acknowledging donors by giving value to them, praying for them, and if the staff has been assigned to another place, I would encourage that you still maintain contact with your donors, even if you were transfer to a different location in your ministry with IVCF Philippines. That will show that relationship with your donor is important and you treasure it. FACEBOOK is good but there IS NOTHING like personal relationship... if the person/donor is accessible, personal contact counts a lot. When I and some people from MEANS were invited to be the (distinguished) guests in Urbana 2003, IVCF USA leadership gave a special session with their donors (their guests at that time) to acknowledge their contribution to the movement. The person whom we (MEANS) are supporting introduced us to the whole group and had mentioned our partnership with the staff and how this staff values it. The session became like a sharing time of how IV USA staff were blessed by their donors. Maybe, we (because I am also a former IV staff) can think creatively on HOW we can express our gratitude to our donors - to ENCOURAGE THEM - that they are important and that they also have a part in building the Kingdom of God. It would be encouraging for IV donors especially those who are IV friends. It will make them feel that they too are investing in the lives of the students even if they were not IV members in their college days. This is a tall order - but if there is no DEVELOPMENT officer - there should be a group, graduates and/or staff, who would be willing to take charge and do this on a regular basis. As MEANS board chair, I am mostly sharing what I personally experience in our own fundraising endeavors. The use of FACEBOOK is good in promoting the needs of the ministry....but after that the nitty gritty work is really cultivating, nurturing, and expressing our heartfelt gratitude to those who have sacrificially given financial support to the ministry of IVCF Philippines.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 15:18:44 +0000
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