As a church leader, you’re always looking for ways to improve your congregation’s financial health. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 6 tips to help you raise more money for your church. With these tips, you’ll be able to engage your congregation in new and exciting ways, and raise the funds necessary to keep your church running smoothly.
1. Keep your mission front and center.
Cornerstone Church in Ohio is well-known for its mission to bring Jesus to every corner of the city. For the last major fundraising campaign, the church used a campaign to encourage members to partner with the church to support the local food bank and backpack drive for kids. Integrating the church’s mission into fundraising is vital for its success.
The church’s dedication to its mission is evident in everything that it does, and its fundraising campaigns are no exception. By partnering with the local food bank, Cornerstone Church can help ensure that no one in their community goes hungry. And by hosting a backpack drive for kids, they can help make sure that every child has what they need to start school ready to learn.
Thanks to the generosity of their members, Cornerstone Church was able to raise over $10,000 dollars for their local food bank and over 400 backpacks for kids! Their commitment to helping those in need has made a real difference in their community, and it’s sure to inspire others around them as well.
When people know exactly where their donation is going and how it will be used, they’re more likely to give. Be clear about your church’s mission and what you’re raising money for, whether it’s a new roof or a food pantry. Don’t be afraid to ask people directly for support.
There are a few ways that you can keep your church’s mission front and center when fundraising. First, you need to make sure that your fundraising materials are clear and concise. Your materials should explain what your church’s mission is and how donations will be used to further that mission. Second, you should personalize your fundraising efforts. Donors should feel like their contributions are making a difference and that they are part of something larger. Finally, you need to be transparent about how donations are being used. Donors want to see where their money is going, so be sure to provide regular updates on how funds are being used to further the church’s mission.
2. Make it easy for people to donate.
In our increasingly busy world, people appreciate convenience. Make sure there are multiple ways for people to donate, whether it’s online, by text, or in person. The easier you make it for people to give, the more likely they are to do so.
Image of God Church in Alabama makes it easy for members to give to support its mission. Outreach Pastor Robb Thomas shares how offering multiple ways to give meets people where they’re at.
“We want to make it easy for people to give,” said Thomas. “Offering multiple ways to donate- online, through the mail, or even in person- allows people to contribute in a way that is comfortable and convenient for them.”
The church offers a variety of options for giving, including one-time donations and recurring donations. Online giving is especially popular, as it allows donors to quickly and easily make contributions using a debit or credit card.
“Our online giving system is simple and secure,” said Thomas. “Donors can use their debit or credit card to make quick and easy contributions without having to write a check or carry cash.”
The church also accepts donations by mail and in person. In addition, the congregation participates in several fundraising campaigns throughout the year.
3. Create a sense of urgency.
People are more likely to give when they feel like their donation will have an immediate impact. If you’re raising money for a specific project or need, make sure people know about it and why it’s important. A sense of urgency can also be created by setting a deadline for fundraising goals.
The most successful church fundraising campaigns are those that make use of urgency in their messaging. Urgent appeals are more likely to motivate donors to give than non-urgent appeals. Why? Because urgent appeals create a sense of scarcity. They let donors know that there is a limited time to act and that their donations are needed to meet a pressing need.
Of course, not all church needs are urgent. And not all church fundraising campaigns should be based on urgency. But when there is a genuine need for urgent donations, churches should not hesitate to make that clear in their appeals.
Urgent appeals work best when they are coupled with a specific call to action. For example, an appeal for funds to repair a leaking roof would be more effective if it included a specific ask for donations and a deadline for repairs. Donors would know exactly what their contributions would be used for and would feel confident that their money was being used efficiently.
4. Tell stories that connect donors to your cause.
Don’t just tell donors what you’re doing; tell them why you’re doing it. Share stories that illustrate the needs of your church and the difference that their donations can make. When donors feel like they’re part of something larger than themselves, they’re more likely to open their wallets.
The Rock Church in North Carolina is committed to helping the homeless in its local community. Each week, it shares stories of how its members are making a difference.
One story tells of how a church member befriended a homeless woman named Sarah. Sarah had been living on the streets for years and was struggling with addiction. The church member reached out to her, offering compassion and support. She invited Sarah to come to church, and gradually, Sarah began to get her life back on track. With the help of the church community, she was able to find housing and get clean from drugs.
Another story tells of how the church helped a family who had fallen on hard times. The father had lost his job and they were about to lose their home. But thanks to the generosity of the Rock Church, they were able to keep their home and get back on their feet.
These stories show how the Rock Church is making a difference in its local community by showing Christ’s love. Its members are proud to be part of such an impactful organization!
5. Give people recognition.
Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and donors are no different. Be sure to thank people for their contributions, both publicly and privately. You could also consider setting up donor tiers with corresponding benefits, such as invitations to special events or exclusive updates on your church’s progress.
One of the most important things to understand about human behavior is that we all crave recognition. It’s one of the fundamental drivers of our decision-making, and it’s something that church fundraisers can harness to great effect.
Think about it: when you donate to a cause, whether it’s money, time, or belongings, you want to be recognized for your efforts. A simple “thank you” can go a long way towards cultivating a lasting relationship with a donor. In fact, research has shown that people who feel appreciated are more likely to give again.
Of course, recognition doesn’t have to be limited to words of thanks. You can also show your donors how their gifts are making an impact. This could be something as simple as sending them a photo of people using the items they donated or sharing stories of lives that have been changed thanks to their generosity.
6. Keep track of your progress and adjust accordingly.
It’s important to set realistic fundraising goals and track your progress along the way so you can adjust if necessary. If you’re falling short of your goal, don’t be afraid to reach out to potential donors again or explore new avenues for giving. And if you’re surpassing your goal, consider using the extra funds to improve your church in other ways or setting a new goal altogether.
The first step is to set quantifiable goals. That way, you’ll be able to track your progress and see how close you are to reaching your targets. For example, let’s say you’re hoping to raise $5,000 for a new van for the church. In that case, your goal might be to secure pledges from 50% of the congregation by the end of the campaign.
Once you have your goals in place, it’s important to establish a system for tracking progress. This will help you identify any areas where you’re falling behind and need to make adjustments. There are a few different ways you can do this. One option is to create a spreadsheet with all of the pertinent information, such as the amount pledged and the date when the pledge was made. You can also use software specifically designed for tracking fundraising progress.
Another way to track progress is by using milestones. Milestones help plot out your plan and give you something to strive for at each stage of the campaign. For example, if your goal is to raise $5,000 by the end of the month, you might set a milestone of securing pledges from 10% of the congregation by the end of week one, 25% by the end of week two, and so on. This will give you a concrete way to measure progress and ensure that you’re on track to meeting your overall goal.
By following these tips, you can improve your church’s fundraising and make a real difference in the lives of your community members. Don’t forget that donor relations is a year-round effort – not just something you do when you’re short on cash! Stewardship is an ongoing process that requires time, energy, and dedication. But it’s worth it when you see the difference it makes in the lives of those you serve.
