Mitzie Schafer Mitzie Schafer

Money and Proclamation 3 Video Series

“Whatever you do, don’t talk about money from the pulpit!” Yet how can we preach without addressing the single greatest anxiety in most people’s lives? This three-part series will help leaders address the crushing shame and anxiety that most people in the pew encounter every day. What Good News can the church proclaim that will bring hope and healing? How can we help people move beyond guilt to abundant living?

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Documents Center For Generosity Documents Center For Generosity

ELEMENTS OF GOOD MISSION

Your organization’s mission is more than a statement. In fact, stop calling it a statement. Your mission should not describe the organization, rather it defines the results the organization seeks to achieve.

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Documents Center For Generosity Documents Center For Generosity

Standard Operating Procedure: Gift Processing

How you operationalize your gift processing will depend on your staff and database system. There are best practices around separation of duties when documenting money and how quickly you send out a formal acknowledgment letter. The document above will outline all these considerations.

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Documents Center For Generosity Documents Center For Generosity

Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights

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Videos David Brunkow Videos David Brunkow

Capital Campaigns

A well-conceived and aggressively conducted capital campaign will be an exciting and energizing event in the life of your organization. What will it take to complete a successful capital campaign and meet the campaign financial goal? A great “case,” smart work, active committed leadership together with committed and generous donors.

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Videos David Brunkow Videos David Brunkow

Staff Leadership in Fundraising

A successful and sustainable fundraising program is dependent on strong, committed and generous volunteer leadership and engagement and contributions. But that cannot happen without the effective leadership of capable, professional staff leadership.

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Videos Mitzie Schafer Videos Mitzie Schafer

Deposits Vs. Withdraws Donor Care

Building a Donor First culture is critical to the success of any annual fund work, capital campaign, or planned giving effort. If donors feel you are only ever after a withdrawal, they will withdraw from the ministry or agency. Learn how to tell the difference between a deposit into your donor relationship before asking for a withdrawal.

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Videos Paul Marsh Videos Paul Marsh

Cottage Meetings

In this video, learn how small donor cottage meetings can set the stage for new major donor cultivation and solicitation. We review the agenda, logistics and follow up to make your event successful.

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Videos Paul Marsh Videos Paul Marsh

The Importance of Follow Up and How to do it

Any fundraising effort must include comprehensive follow-up. A donor may choose not to participate in your campaign or appeal, but it is your job to invite them to be generous and to get a decision. Learn how to conduct proper and thorough follow-up in this video.

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Videos Pete Reuss Videos Pete Reuss

Congregational Culture and Stewardship

When stewardship best practices lead to conflict and anxiety, something in the congregation’s culture around money is the cause. The Adaptive Leadership framework can provide a lens that leads to lasting change.

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Videos Mike Ward Videos Mike Ward

Congregational Capital Campaigns

If you are considering a capital appeal or other special appeal, this video will help you think about some critical items to keep in mind. We need to work hard to keep a campaign from feeling like we just want a financial transaction. Furthermore, we don't want anyone to feel shame that their gift is not enough. A campaign done well results in people feeling that this is a project that is accomplished because everyone does their part. A solid case for support is where it all begins.

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Videos Mike Ward Videos Mike Ward

OMG We Are Out of Money

We have all been there. The finance report is dire and so the leader is directed to send out "the letter". This scarcity minded tactic results in a little bump in giving, but longer term leaves people wondering about the long-term health of the organization. Larger potential donors are left wondering if the organization can handle larger gifts. Donors who increased their giving recently feel like they are alone in doing so. There is a better way.

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Videos Mike Ward Videos Mike Ward

Telling Outcome Stories

Most non-profits and churches spend the majority of their time telling people what they do. They spend little time telling people the stories of impact of their organizations. The reality is that donors will not unleash their generosity because of what you do. They will do so when they get immersed in the results of your mission. This is not sharing statistics. It is telling stories.

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Videos Mike Ward Videos Mike Ward

Should the Pastor Know

In many congregations, the culture is one of secrecy around money. There is a celebration that only one person knows what people give. Sometimes, pastors are told they aren't allowed to know. Other times, pastors are uncomfortable and don't want to know what people give. In Matthew 6.21 Jesus says that giving is a matter of the heart. In addition to giving being a spiritual issue, there is also a leadership issue in that it is impossible to lead an organization if you don't know where the resources are coming from. This video attempts to get movement from a culture of secrecy to a culture of generosity. Confidentiality is very much lifted up, just not secrecy.

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Videos Mike Ward Videos Mike Ward

Special Gift Appeals

From time to time in the congregation, special gift appeals are needed. This isn't quite the level of a full capital campaign. Many fail of these appeals fail because not enough people participate. This video overviews the basics of a strong appeal.

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