Effective Church Fund Raising

For many church organizations, church fund raising is a constant reality. Churches need constant upkeep and repairs and the only money usually available for such endeavors comes from the community and from church members. Many churches also want to raise money for various charitable projects. Church fund raising, then, is an on-going process. However, church fund raising also raises some problems. Since there are constant church fund raising ventures in the process, church members may give less or may volunteer less over time. Church fund raising, since it happens so often, also requires a constant supply of new ideas to prevent fund raising from becoming stale. The frequency of church fund raising risks apathy. Plus, since church members are often the ones most interested in church fund raising efforts, it may be difficult to get people from the larger community - including people from other denominations to participate. To keep your church fund raising effective, here are some tips to integrate into your current money-raising strategy: 1. Develop a committee specifically for church fund raising. This group should have all types of members in it. They should meet regularly to brainstorm activities and track fund raising campaigns. 2. Consider getting fund raising software. Yes, it is an expense, but software can make extensive church fund raising events far more effective. 3. Vary church fund raising events constantly to prevent apathy. Host dances, bake sales, fairs, games, and other activities. Consider church fund raising activities that take place away from the church and are non-denominational. Events such as car washes, picnics, lemonade sales, and family

fairs can be fun and can help to include people in the greater community in church fund raising. These events can also make a welcome break from regular church fund raising. 4. List and make use of all resources in church fund raising. How many volunteers or potential volunteers does the church have? Is the church a historical site that can offer tours or some other service to the larger community? What special talents in the church community can be used for church fund raising? 5. Get businesses involved in church fund raising. Many businesses would be happy to buy advertising space in a church newsletter on signs during a church picnic, or in a book about church history.