How to Think About and Do Donor Development

The Philosophy: Donors Aren’t ATMs

This starts a series on giving.
I’ll hit what is typically called ‘Donor Development’ in other segments of the world. And provide some considerations you’ve missed - some metrics to look after, some trends to track, some language to update - and many more things that will help your tithes and offerings go in the direction even God himself wants them to go.

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Churches love to talk about generosity, but few actually develop it.

Many actually run from it.
Or worse, they fundraise instead of develop.

Fundraising is asking people for money to meet your need.
Development is showing people how their resources can meet God’s need through our shared mission.

Fundraising says, “We need to make budget.”
Development says, “Here’s what God’s doing … and here’s how you can be part of it.”

That’s the difference between a transaction and a partnership.

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Fundraising vs. Development