Comments on: Question Week: How Much Should You Divulge During Fundraising? http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/question-week-how-much-should-you-divulge-during-fundraising Everything a missionary isn't supposed to say. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:35:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: C. Holland http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/question-week-how-much-should-you-divulge-during-fundraising/comment-page-1#comment-679 C. Holland Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:13:13 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=252#comment-679 Hi Liam, I certainly was guilty of that type of thinking in the past. One thing I've learned is that, depending on the relational nature or specific needs in the mission field, missionaries may need to raise a bit more than just the bare-bones living needs. In our field, people prefer to socialise and get to know you at restaurants or cafes. Saying, "I'm a missionary; I can't afford to meet you for coffee" won't work here. In other mission fields, there could be known financial needs for supplies of some type that would be useful. What good is it to send someone out to missions but restrict them financially from legitimate ministry tools? Due to the up-and-down nature of supporter giving that we've experienced, I would advise those in fundraising mode to overshoot just a little. Realise that you may have some people initially commit that will not follow through, others may fall away after a time without notifying you. We had several people approach us during our fundraising with concern about the amount we needed to raise. When we explained the issues with exchange rate not being in our favour, plus the high cost of living in our field, most were more understanding. The funny thing? The amount we told people was only 40% of our budget; we have been tentmakers for the remaining 60%. Hi Liam, I certainly was guilty of that type of thinking in the past. One thing I’ve learned is that, depending on the relational nature or specific needs in the mission field, missionaries may need to raise a bit more than just the bare-bones living needs. In our field, people prefer to socialise and get to know you at restaurants or cafes. Saying, “I’m a missionary; I can’t afford to meet you for coffee” won’t work here. In other mission fields, there could be known financial needs for supplies of some type that would be useful. What good is it to send someone out to missions but restrict them financially from legitimate ministry tools?

Due to the up-and-down nature of supporter giving that we’ve experienced, I would advise those in fundraising mode to overshoot just a little. Realise that you may have some people initially commit that will not follow through, others may fall away after a time without notifying you.

We had several people approach us during our fundraising with concern about the amount we needed to raise. When we explained the issues with exchange rate not being in our favour, plus the high cost of living in our field, most were more understanding. The funny thing? The amount we told people was only 40% of our budget; we have been tentmakers for the remaining 60%.

]]> By: Liam Byrnes http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/question-week-how-much-should-you-divulge-during-fundraising/comment-page-1#comment-676 Liam Byrnes Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:13:22 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=252#comment-676 Thanks for your thoughts on this subject. We are in the process of creating some support-type resources and so Ive been looking around at similar things. I came across one website which had a bar graph detailing the amount of money the missionary aimed to have coming in monthly and the amount that was coming in. When I saw what the missionary was aiming for, I thought: "No way, that seems like a lot of money to live in -suchandsuchacountry-". Then I immediately checked myself. I thought it was interesting that even though I was bemoaning some of the judgemental attitudes we have experienced in relation to fund raising, that I had a tendency for the same! Thanks for your thoughts on this subject. We are in the process of creating some support-type resources and so Ive been looking around at similar things. I came across one website which had a bar graph detailing the amount of money the missionary aimed to have coming in monthly and the amount that was coming in. When I saw what the missionary was aiming for, I thought: “No way, that seems like a lot of money to live in -suchandsuchacountry-”. Then I immediately checked myself. I thought it was interesting that even though I was bemoaning some of the judgemental attitudes we have experienced in relation to fund raising, that I had a tendency for the same!

]]> By: C. Holland http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/question-week-how-much-should-you-divulge-during-fundraising/comment-page-1#comment-586 C. Holland Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:42:23 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=252#comment-586 Good point, Richard. It is all about balance. It's been hard for me to realise that, while I see my mission about those in my field, some people see my mission tied with me (and my ego!). Good point, Richard. It is all about balance. It’s been hard for me to realise that, while I see my mission about those in my field, some people see my mission tied with me (and my ego!).

]]> By: Richard Budd http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/question-week-how-much-should-you-divulge-during-fundraising/comment-page-1#comment-583 Richard Budd Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:45:35 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=252#comment-583 It seems odd, but my wife and I setup www.gracesecondaryschool.com and started to fundraise to build a school in the nuba mountains in the Sudan. The PRESS wanted to run the story, “local couple richard and Claire Budd yada yada”. The truth is people give due to our passion and commitment. As more and more advertising is about people, faces and individuals. The main problem is you have to keep a close eye on your own ego, as this can cloud decisions and direction. I feel we have the balance about right – and if we ever get into problems we have the other to point out the error of our ways (or to make a joke about it!!!) focus on the cause. Richard Budd It seems odd, but my wife and I setup http://www.gracesecondaryschool.com and started to fundraise to build a school in the nuba mountains in the Sudan. The PRESS wanted to run the story, “local couple richard and Claire Budd yada yada”. The truth is people give due to our passion and commitment. As more and more advertising is about people, faces and individuals. The main problem is you have to keep a close eye on your own ego, as this can cloud decisions and direction. I feel we have the balance about right – and if we ever get into problems we have the other to point out the error of our ways (or to make a joke about it!!!) focus on the cause.
Richard Budd

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