Faith in Action is a program designed for churches and other charitable nonprofit organizations to assist them with fundraising. There are a variety of components to the Faith in Action program which may be taken together, or in some cases, used individually. Please click on the bullets below to open or close the information.
Many organizations would benefit from a comprehensive analysis of their actual and potential income sources. The Faith in Action Program looks at each individual donor and establishes giving trends over time. In addition, a comparison is made to economic trends both locally and nationally to determine if the trends are consistent with projected growth. Furthermore, an analysis is made of the organization's fundraising and receipting practices over time with a view to developing a comprehensive system for approaching both in a professional manner. The Historical Giving & Trend Analysis is always included in every Faith in Action contract as it forms the basis for establishing realistic goals and methodologies. Generally, this process takes about two week, several days of which are onsite with access to organizational records.
Organizations have purpose, dreams, goals and objectives. But are your constituents or congregants in touch with these ideals? You are leading, but are they following? A Feasibility Study is intended to determine the degree to which your actual and potential donors are familiar with your purposes, and the potential commitment they may make to support your dreams, goals, and objectives. A comprehensive survey instrument is developed and your actual and potential donors are contacted to obtain their attitudes and insights. Some may be contacted in person by the consulting team, some by telephone, and others through the mail. All responses are then tabulated and cross-indexed to provide a realistic appraisal of the potential for raising funds. It is a great way to see who is following your vision! Depending upon the location of key donors, and the size of the donor base, this process could take from three to five months.
If you need to increase weekly or monthly giving to your general accounts for the purpose of funding every aspect of your ministry, then an Annual Fund Campaign is appropriate. Following the Historical Giving & Trend Analysis, a comprehensive information campaign is launched to insure that every actual and potential donor is familiar with your mission vision and objectives. Opportunities to make commitments to increasing gifts, making gifts more regular, or establishing new gift commitments are made available. Some donors are contacted in person, most by mail and email. The organization's receipting and communication practices are professionalized and regularized so that donors feel appreciated and knowledgeable. The key is establishing a system that insures you quickly capture information on new or potential donors, and maintain a beneficial relationship with your existing donor base. Generally this process takes three to six months.
When the purpose of a fundraising campaign is to buy land, build a building, fund a special project, or retire debt, then a Capital/Project Fundraising Campaign is appropriate. Following the Historical Giving & Trend Analysis, and an optional Feasibility Study, a comprehensive information campaign is launch with the purpose of soliciting a gift amount from a donor, usually to be funded over three to five years. Generally, the information portion of the campaign lasts from twelve to sixteen weeks and involves a variety of public meetings, small group meetings, rallies, services, face-to-face encounters, dinners, desserts, and publications, etc. The information phase includes specifics regarding the vision and project, the use of the funds, the purpose for the project, facility, or land, the benefits to be derived from the fulfillment of the vision, and ways in which the donor can take personal ownership, including commitments of time, talent, testimony, and treasure. Financial commitments are made in writing so that the organization can coordinate with financial institutions if mortgage financing is going to be required. The consultant stays engaged with the organization throughout the fulfillment phase of the campaign, the full three to five years helping to insure that commitments are met or exceeded.
10. Calendar Planning: Consultants are experienced in knowing how to structure the calendar so that the goals and objectives of the campaign are met in the most efficient time frame possible.
9. Professional Communication: Consultants are experienced in the analysis of your vision and objectives and communicating them effectively whether in printed materials or verbal communication, and the types of materials and events that work best.
8. Time Commitment: Church/Organizational staffs are already busy. Consultants make the commitment of time to insure that campaign needs are met in an efficient and prefessional manner.
7. People Involvement: Consultants work to involve a great many people in the effective implementation of campaign elements and avoid adding additional work to the church/organizational staff.
6. Focus: Pastors/presidents must meet the day-to-day requirements of their position and rarely can devote the focus necessary to administrate the campaign effectively. Consultants help keep the campaign focused on essentials and strip away the fluff.
5. Experience: Consultants have experienced a wide variety of challenges through the years. Consultants have the wisdom to meet unexpected challenges with multi-faceted solutions.
4. Accountability: Consultants are able to hold volunteers and staff accountable for the successful conclusion of their responsibilities in a way that the pastor/president cannot. The Consultant can be the "bad guy" when necessary while the pastor/president remains the "encourager".
3. Major Gift Emphasis: Many pastors/presidents are uncomfortable meeting with donors and asking face-to-face for significant gifts. Either the Consultant can go along, or go instead, to ask for these large commitments.
2. You Raise More Money: Ancedotes over time continue to demonstrate that internally run capital campaigns raise less than 50% of Consultant led campaigns. And, if you fall short of the goal, you risk a let-down throughout your donor base, and risk that your project cannot be completed, your vision cannot be fulfilled.
1. The Consultant Goes Home: You have the ability to take credit for everything that goes right with the campaign, and blame the Consultant for everyting that goes wrong. In particular, it keeps the pastor/president from being perceived as someone who only wants your money. Rather, the Consultant takes responsibility for the "ask"!
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