Silence

There’s an old cliché that Silence is Golden.  When my kids were young and I was a stay at home mom I would have followed that cliché with a resounding Amen!  But as a giver I feel a little differently.

When I give it’s because I want to be a part of something – something bigger than myself.  The reality is that I am not Rockefeller or Gates when it comes to the dollars I give. . . but my heart doesn’t know the difference.  The dollars, limited as they may be, are expressions of my heart. I want to be a part of something. I want to make a difference. It is a journey that I am slowly growing in but I admit that I wonder if the organizations that I give to understand or care about that journey.

Being part of the Servant Foundation I get to be part of some pretty major gifts and as a Foundation representative I receive many notes of appreciation and encouragement.  But the personal giving side looks much different. A note of thanks is a rarity.  Sometimes there is literally no communication – form letter, receipt or otherwise.  In this case, Silence is Deafening. Without communication I assume my giving doesn’t matter.

Earlier this week the silence ended. I received a hand-written, personal note from a ministry leader that made my heart leap for joy. The interesting thing is that this ministry is one I haven’t given to in several years.  The note was a reflection of what our personal support (not just the giving but the words of encouragement, etc) meant to this leader.  It served as a reminder that maybe the little guy can make a difference.  The note caused me to revisit the ministry and re-engage my commitment to the cause.  Guess who’s on the top of my giving list this year?

Giving Gone Wrong

For someone who is a huge proponent of giving and actually even makes a living based on it – it probably seems a little weird that I would be writing about ‘giving gone wrong.’

We all have those ‘Golden Rules’ that we operate from. I’m not talking about the 10 Commandments – those are a given. But those personal rules we set in place for ourselves to make sure we don’t make a fool of ourselves.  It’s funny when we break those rules it reminds us why we have those rules to begin with.

One of my Giving Golden Rules is not to give to desperation or in isolation.

As someone who meets with a lot of ministries, I’ve learned that I have to set boundaries. When I feel personally drawn to a ministry from a giving standpoint – I take the information home and share with my family. From there we pray over it and decide as a family if and/or how much we want to give from our family Giving Fund.

Earlier this year I broke that Golden Rule. I met with a ministry leader who shared the drastic desperation their ministry was in. Literally they were looking at not making payroll that week. After the meeting I went straight to my desk, logged in to our family Giving Fund and requested a grant be sent to the ministry.

As I reflect on it now I realize my motives were not what they should have been. I was in ‘hero mode’.  I wanted to be the hero of the story the one who ‘saved the day’ with my gift. I didn’t pray about it. I didn’t share it with my family.  I didn’t give because I greatly cared about the cause.

I don’t even know if my giving made a difference. I have not heard one word from the ministry. I am reminded that giving is not designed to make me the hero of the story but an opportunity for God to engage my heart in a cause. He wants my giving to be about my transformation, my spiritual growth and my dependency in Him.

Sometimes They Want Their Money Back

An ESPN article shares the story of a major benefactor to the University of Connecticut who wants the school to return $3 million in donations and remove his family name from its football complex.  The donor is upset that he was shut out of discussions about the selection of a new football coach.

I don’t know the full ins and outs of the story and relationships in this particular case but as I read the article I wondered if there is a lesson here for how we approach donor relations in Christian ministry.

The scenario the donor and university are facing in this story appears to reflect a more transactional relationship. I give this – you do that – scenario. The challenge now is the donor feels short-changed and demands a refund.

It begs the question, “Are we about transactions or transformation when it comes to givers?”  Transactional versus transformational represents a major mindset adjustment when it comes to fundraising.

Transformational giving focuses on the transformation of the giver as well as the transformation in the ministry.  God’s design for giving is such that we grow stronger in our dependence on Him. When we embrace and live out Biblical stewardship we become a greater reflection of Christ.

Want more on Transformational Giving? www.missionincrease.org.

Better Together?

The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently published an article, A Grant Maker Requires Grantees to Collaborate, that indicates a trend of how funders are thinking.  The article shares how the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona has made big changes in its grant making in response to the recession. The fund now only grants to coalitions of groups that work together to solve important community problems, not individual organizations.

The grant maker sees several benefits in this new paradigm of grantmaking:

1)   the collaborating groups can make sure they are not duplicating programs;

2)   the groups can close the gaps in the services they offer;

3)   collaboration allows each group to focus on its area of expertise

For these reasons, the grant maker believes that collaboration leads to better quality services. A spokesperson for the Tuscon community fund argues that “no one agency can meet any one person’s needs – and probably shouldn’t, when you start being everything to everybody, oftentimes you water down the quality of what you are providing.”

While this is a new idea from a grant making position the idea itself goes back much further.  ICorinthians 12 reminds us that we all have a unique purpose but the real power comes when together we become the Body of Christ.

What is Your Why?

Why? As a parent that question can sometimes set us over the edge when it comes out of the mouth of babes in response to a direct order.  But what about the ‘Why’ question related to our ministry?  Why do we do what we do? Do we connect with people on the ‘why‘ or do we inundate them with the ‘what and how’ we do what we do.

The following TED video presentation of Simon Sinek offers a compelling look at the ‘Why’. I hope it will be as inspiring to you as it was to me.

Can We Multiply Donations?

A recent blog, You Say You Want Impact, posted in the Harvard Business Review challenges the typical approach to grantmaking. The article highlights the reality that funders want to see and be about impact. We want to fund progress. But are we going about it the right way?

Ministries know the hardest thing to get funding for is general operations, and the idea of getting funding for fundraising is almost laughable.  Supporters want to give to programs and projects – successful programs and projects. But what if the logic behind funding impact changed?

The article states, “The way to maximize impact is to fund a revenue engine that can multiply the dollars you are contributing — it is to fund the fundraising and development arm of the charity in question, not the actual program that’s making a difference. In making fundraising more robust, you create a multiplier effect: Your donation has the potential to dramatically increase the amount of money flowing in to fund the program. If you fund the program itself, your donation will have zero multiplier effect.”

The logic is simple – brilliant, yet simple.  Don’t give fish – develop the fishermen. Sound familiar?

This is one reason I am excited about bringing Mission Increase to Kansas City. The Mission Increase model is based on such logic. It’s about growing in the skill of fundraising that brings the biggest bang for the buck.  Want more? Join us February 10, 2011.

Blizzard of 2011 = More Time to Register

It’s all about perspective, right?  The Blizzard of 2011 has created many challenges to say the least. If I look at through the ‘glass half full’ however, I see that the Blizzard has opened the door to expand our timeline for the launch of Mission Increase in Kansas City. Which means more people may be able to attend the seminar!

The inclement weather led to the postponement of the February 3rd Journey to Transformation seminar. We determined we would not be able to get our keynote speaker in town safely and have rescheduled the seminar for Thursday, Feburary 10th.  If you have not registered already I encourage you to take advantage of this second chance to regsiter!  If you registered for the 3rd event your registration has automatically been transferred to the 10th event.

Event Details:

Do You Feel Like You’re Working Harder and Harder to Raise Fewer and Fewer Funds? You are not alone!

If you find yourself dreading the mere thought of fundraising then this seminar is for you. The Journey to Transformation seminar presents a Biblical model of fundraising that has the power to grow your ministry and your donors. Come and learn about this alternative approach that will help you move from the mindset of fundraising as a necessary evil to viewing fundraising as a joyful calling.

The Journey to Transformation
Thursday, February 10, 2011
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Sylvester Powell, Jr. Community Center
6200 Martway, Mission, Kansas

Cost $30/person
Lunch, break refreshments and seminar materials will be provided

Register for the February 10th Seminar

Keep in mind that this is more than just a one-day seminar – this is a launch to Servant’s new strategic relationship with Mission Increase and our continued commitment to serving ministries. Learn more at blog post:  New Year, New Training and Grant Opportunities

Can’t wait to see you there!

New Year, New Training & Grant Opportunities

In an effort to provide more training, more consulting and more grant opportunities for ministries in Kansas City, Servant is pleased to announce a strategic relationship with Mission Increase Foundation.  The Mission Increase model will allow us to offer a whole new level of training through seminars, as well as free workshops, webinars and one-on-one consulting!

We will launch our Mission Increase program with an all-day Transformational Giving seminar on Thursday, February 10, 2011.  The launch will lead into bi-monthly workshops that will begin Tuesday, March 23, 2011.

3 easy steps and you can be a part:

1. Register to attend the seminar. Join us February 3rd as we explore the waters of Transformational Giving.*
2. Set up a Mission Increase ministry account. By setting up a ministry account you can participate in free workshops and consulting.*
3. Register for March workshop. Workshops will be held at Servant’s office. Seating is limited to 25 so register early!

Plan ahead to attend Mission Increase training in 2011.

February Seminar, Transformational Giving*

March Workshop, The Transformational Ask

April Webinar, Develop Your Development Department

May Workshop, Strategic Planning

July Workshop, Marketing Your Ministry

August Webinar, Fundraising Banquets

September Workshop, Transformational Giving

November Workshop, House Parties

December Webinar, Lapsed Champions

Workshops, webinars and consulting are offered at no cost but registration is required. One-on-one or peer group consulting is available after every workshop. Servant anticipates having grant opportunities, based on the Mission Increase model, available beginning the 4th quarter of 2011.  Mission Increase Foundation’s grant model provides strategic grants that, when leveraged with training, spur new growth in the organization. Click here to read stories of ministries who have participated in the MIF matching grant program.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. We can’t wait to serve you through this exciting addition to our services to ministries!

* While most of the workshops and consulting will be offered at no cost to the ministry, there is a nominal charge for the all-day seminar to cover venue/food costs.

Divorcing Charity

Divorcing charity – wow, that sounds unpleasant and painful. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal shared a personal story of such a struggle.  In the article, When to Divorce Charity, the author notes her deep affection for a cause and a heartfelt commitment to volunteering.  She goes on to share her struggle with feeling disconnected with a charity that she volunteers and raises funds for. She questions whether the charity would care about her concerns.  At one point she questions if her giving even matters.

The article offers some questions to consider for those struggling with idea of discarding a favorite charity.

1. Is the group appropriately appreciative and do they keep me informed? Even small gifts are entitled to a proper thank you. Sending form letters or misspelling names of a large donor can be costly as well – even if in the long run. Statistically, a modest giver is much more likely to leave a gift to charity when they die – often an amount 20 times their annual donation.
2. Is the group suffering from “mission creep,” drifting away from what originally attracted you? Givers are often passionate about a cause, not necessarily just an organization. Givers want to be a part of organizations that are having impact in the cause.
3. Is the organization receptive to donors’ and volunteers’ concerns? Again, givers want to be a part of something. Givers want to know that what they are doing – whether giving treasure, talent or time – is making a difference and they want to be a valid voice in the cause.

I appreciate the author’s candidness in this article.  It reflects some of my heart as a giver but also as someone who is passionate about serving ministries it is a great reminder that giving is about the heart and growth of the giver.  As ministries we must ask ourselves: Do givers to our ministry feel connected and a part of the cause? And, how prepared are we to minister to the hearts of givers?

Giving Mistakes to Avoid

I was intrigued by a recent Wall Street Journal article, Tis the Season to Be Stupid that offered tips to givers on avoiding financial mistakes in giving.  The article’s tips serve as good reminders and things we should be aware of but at the same time remember that God designed giving to be an opportunity for us to engage with Him. Don’t forget the cheerful part!

Below are their top 10 financial mistakes people make when giving to charities – I’ve added some of my thoughts.

1. Giving on impulse

Certainly, planning to give is a good thing – especially when it comes to leveraging your giving. At the same time we want to be open to the moving of the Holy Spirit. One giver I know does a great job in ‘planning for spontaneous giving’. They are very intentional about their giving and plan accordingly. But they also plan for spontaneous giving by setting aside an amount of cash designated for giving and they look for opportunities to give throughout the day.

2. Donating stock you’ve held for less than a year. .

The point here is that if you donate stock that you’ve owned less than a year you miss out on the ability to deduct fair market value. Look for stocks that you’ve held for more than a year and are worth more than you paid for them.

3. Or, giving away a stock that tanked

A depreciated stock is an example of when it’s better to sell then give. You may be able to claim a capital loss for the stock and receive a charitable deduction for the cash gift to charity.

4. Missteps over tickets

This is a great reminder about the tax rules surrounding tickets to charity events. Only the charitable portion of the price can come from a donor advised fund.

5. Donating property that won’t be used for it’s intended purposes

When giving a non-cash gift to charity, it is important to know if it is considered an in-kind gift that will be used in the ministry or will be liquidated for funds for the charity.  Types of assets have different rules when it comes to tax-deductibility. For example, when giving a car to charity with the intent of it being sold, the allowable deduction is what the car sells for.

6. Opting for gift annuities when interest rates are low

It’s important to look at all the options for meeting your charitable and income objectives. In an economy where interest rates are considerably low a gift annuity may not be the best option. As the article suggests, a charitable lead trust may be a better option.

7. Fixating on charity ratings

Keep in mind that some of the rating programs look merely at numbers and not necessarily the information behind the numbers. For example a maternity home may have a larger portion than norm allocated to payroll due to the fact that they must have round the clock staff to care for the girls. Engage with the charities that you give to and ask the questions that are on your mind to make your own assessments.

8. Giving to a charity that sells your info.

Ask the charities what you give to what their privacy policy is and make sure you have opted out of any options that include sharing your information with other organizations.

9. Picking the wrong donor advised fund

Make sure the organization that hosts your donor advised fund matches with your values and intentions. Also check out policies and guidelines before establishing a fund. The article points out a couple examples of not allowing for succession planning for a fund and no ability to transfer your fund if you are unhappy with the services.  Keep in mind, Servant allows you to create a succession plan for your donor advised fund as well the ability to transfer it at any time.

10. Not getting insured

If you serve on a nonprofit board it is important to get directors and officers insurance. Charity board members can be held personal liable for most of the charity’s decisions, whether it’s the mismanagement of investments or employment mishaps.

Article link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704369304575632241438956652.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_PF2