Caring for Your Donors

Be there for your Donors (friends, partners)

(Mark 10:45 NIV)  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served.  His message?  It’s not all about you!
Phil 2:3  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Phil 2:4  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Bringing balance

Donors understand their role as stewards — they talk about their “responsibilities as Christians.” “God gives to us, and it’s our responsibility to give back.”
But it is possible for ministries to drain away the positive feeling that a donor may have about this role. Think about a personal friend of yours who constantly talks about his or her problems, needs, unhappiness. You are inclined to look for ways to avoid spending time with that person! You don’t have the emotional energy to deal with this individual. But the friend who’s balanced — who brings a good report, who gives praise to God, the sunny personality inclined to laughter and celebration — you look forward to spending time with that person.
Our messages to donors, in the same way, need to focus on the impact that the donor’s contributions are making — not exclusively on the need for more contributions to be given.
What donors are saying…
“Really, it is a matter of responsibility. We have a certain amount of money we can give and it is supposed to be done with responsibility.”
* Like what you just read and want to learn more? Check out, The Disappearing Donor: Where Your Ministry’s Lapsed Givers Went, and Why .