Are You Doing the Little Things of Funding?
“Many of us are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things.”
© The Navigators. Do not use without permission.
“Little things” include behind-the-scenes small activities that help bring full funding. They are not spectacular. They are rarely recognized by ministry supervisors. They are as silent as a cat watching a bird cage.
Here are 10 “Fundraising Little Things.” If you are doing some or all of these—Good Job! If you have not received a compliment today, there it is! May God’s hand continue to be on you.
Which of these are yours?
Editing your newsletter twice (at least) before you push “send.” People won’t compliment you for accurate spelling and deleting redundant words, but they notice.
Doing regular “data hygiene” on your mailing list addresses. Saves confusion later.
Saying thank you within 48 hours from the time you hear of a new donor’s gift or a lapsed donor re-starting.
Rehearsing exactly what you are going to say during a fundraising appeal. Don’t force your donor to watch you painfully search for words.
After staying in a donor’s home overnight, sending an immediate thank you (hard copy if possible). Your small note is deeply appreciated, especially by those over 50 years of age.
Filling out your Up Till Now Report twice a year to understand your current reality. This gives ideas for your next phase of funding and helps you follow up on “undecideds.”
Prayer. Hardly a “little thing,” it is behind-the-scenes. Bring your budget before the Lord daily—the exact amount. That’s your “daily bread.” Jesus told us to ask! (Matthew 6:11)
Finding out the exact amount of your monthly budget.
If married, sharing your funding plans with your spouse. Being united in funding makes your marriage better.
Phoning monthly partners who skip two months consecutively. Ask, “Is everything okay? You are so faithful in giving, but the last two months your gift has not come to our account.”
Want to be fully funded? Quietly do “little things” day by day, week by week. No one will applaud you, no one will say “well done,” but you will have the privilege of ministering the gospel without finances holding you back.
“Father, where shall I work today?
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed out a tiny spot,
And said, ‘Tend that for Me.’
I answered quickly, ‘Oh no, not that,
Why, no one will ever see,
No matter how well my work was done,
Not that little place for me!’
And the word He spoke, it was not stern,
He answered me tenderly,
‘Ah little one, search that heart of thine;
Art thou working for them or Me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee.’”
