Fundraising Philosophies and Tips

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A guest post by Pam Harmon, Young Life Capernaum's Executive Director. 

 My husband, Mark, and I have raised support for one or both of our ministries for our entire 34 years marriage. What do we value that we may not have experienced as often if we had “regular” jobs?

*    God is faithful. We have to keep asking ourselves - are we depending on God or on the latest tool we have learned at a fundraising training? Are we spending time praying and gathering people to pray? Are we depending on God, or do we think we can figure out a “trick” to fundraising? (Phil. 4:17-19)
*    Support raising is building relationships. There is mutuality in relationships with our donor friends. (2 Corin. 9:6-15) God has given us donor friends to inform, to thank, and to encourage. Donors care enough to give and they want to be informed and inspired regularly and personally. Donor friends want to know specific needs so that they can pray and give, and they want to be appreciated. Know your donors well enough to be praying for them and their families. When it comes to our long term vision, our donors have other friends and many attend churches. If our donors are knowledgable and excited about our ministry, they will share our stories with their wider circle of friends and will invite their friends to support our ministry too.
*    This is another way we can be like Jesus. This is how Jesus lived. It is an honor to be called to live like Jesus - traveling about proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God with His friends, while being supported by a group of people (Luke 8:1-3). Do not apologize that you ask, it is highly honorable to raise money for a worthy cause.

            How blessed we are to have the privilege of depending on God’s provision and on the community of people that God builds around us as we ask, as we tell our stories and as we appreciate well; may we grow to be more and more like Jesus.


Recommended resource:  People Raising by William P. Dillon
Pam Harmon is the Executive Director of Young Life’s Capernaum Ministry.  Pam brings with her a vast array of experience serving youth with disabilities across the country and resources to help churches take next steps in becoming more inclusive and welcoming.
Pam is married to Mark, and they live in Nashville, TN. They have 2 adult sons, 2 amazing daughters-in-law, and one sweet grandson.

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