I must admit, fund raising is one of the hardest jobs I have ever undertaken. However, since my job depends on raising funds, I am working on my attitude and sharpening my skills. One book I came across was "the Spirituality of Fundraising," by Henri Nouwen.
In his book Henri deals with the heart it takes for a believer to enter into fundraising and how to build partnering relationships.So here is what he says on building partnerships to fund ministries.
1. To ask securely you must be secure in Christ.
It is all about my relationship with God. If I am secure in the knowledge that God loves me and provides for my needs I will be able to freely ask others for support.
2. Love must be the aim of fund raising
Fund raising is developing a relationship between two people. I must seek to build relationships with those who I choose to ask to partner with the ministry. If I am not loving the person then I am using them.
3. Minister to the needs of the donor
Donors are people too. Each of us whether rich or poor have needs and experience loneliness. Raising funds give the opportunity to serve those who I am asking and allow them to fulfill their dream by supporting a ministry they believe in.
In all this I realize that by my choice of asking others I allow God to work through me to give others the opportunity to be blessed. Fund raising becomes a partnership and not a contract.
