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For a quick review of the first five of the ten fundraising tips – Click below.
Getting the Gift Part 1.
6. Be Creative with the “How” (to Get Gifts). Gifts of cash are top dollar; usually in a lump sum or paid over time. Some other ways to make gains include:
- Challenge Gifts: Some donors will agree to match other gifts by a certain date.
- Interest Income: A significant percentage of aggregated funds can be made off of early gifts’ interest, so focus on donors who can give large gifts early on.
- Using Bonds & Gifts of Property: Some donors give gifts of real estate, art works, etc. Prior to your campaign, verify how these gifts can be endorsed.
- Bequests and Wills, Special Offerings, Souvenir Pipes, and A Single Donor are other ways to gather funds. Learn more here…
- Borrowing: From other church funds, banks, church members, or other churches (like taking a loan from a family member or having them cosign a loan) with large endowments.
7. Create a Fundraising Timetable. To create a fundraising timetable for a pipe organ, a church should set a fundraising goal, develop a comprehensive fundraising plan with specific activities, set a timeline that considers church events, assign responsibilities, communicate with donors, and regularly evaluate progress.
8. Promote Your Fundraiser. To successfully promote a church fundraiser, communicate a clear goal with urgency, make donating easy through multiple options, and express gratitude to donors through thank-you notes, public recognition, and updates on progress.
9. Ask for the Gift. Make a clear and compelling case for the need and impact of the organ, personalize the request by connecting with donors’ values and interests. Be sure to make giving easy and convenient through multiple donation options, with clear instructions. By doing so, the church can encourage more donors to give generously!
10. Honor the Gift. Express gratitude and appreciation to the donor in a personal and timely manner, with thank-you notes, phone calls, etc. The donor should also be kept up-to-date on the ongoing progress and the impact of their funds. By showing appreciation and transparency, the church can build a strong relationship with the donor and encourage them to continue supporting the church in the future.
Help out a fellow advocate. Share your best fundraising tip in comments below.
There is no need to fear making an ask for a worthy cause that enriches your community. Humility, respect and genuine acceptance of all gifts (small/big, cash/in kind) are some keys to success.
