The Catholic Fundraiser Podcast: Recent Episodes
Brice Sokolowski
Faith and Family 1st! but after that, Fundraiser. Just a Catholic that loves helping others with their mission: Saving Lives & Souls. Founder of CatholicFundraiser.net. Visit my website for more info:
You may have heard that Facebook stopped allowing ads to target groups based on religious interests.
In practical terms, Catholic apostolates could previously tell Facebook to show their ads to anyone who liked topics such as Our Lady, the Rosary, the Divine Liturgy, and the Pope.
Now, it's not allowed to ask Facebook to show ads to people based on their religious interests.
Is Facebook censoring Catholics?
What does this mean for your apostolate?
I outline what has changed, how to use Facebook still, or if you should abandon the platform.
Here is what you should know regarding Facebook's changes to Catholic interests: https://catholicfundraiser.net/is-facebook-censoring-catholics-latest-changes-may-provide-evidence
When you drive, you see signs on the side of the road indicating dangers up ahead.
"Road Work Ahead"
"Slippery When Wet"
"Railroad Crossing"
When you fundraise, you should also see signs of dangers ahead. These signs usually come in the form of hunches, advice, and experience.
Today, I want to share three warning signs for fundraising. You could say these signs indicate the pitfalls to avoid. Each is extremely important and should not be overlooked: https://catholicfundraiser.net/3-pitfalls-catholics-should-avoid-when-fundraising/
Emails.
Appeal letters.
Phone calls.
Events.
Social media.
There are many different ways you can ask people for donations. But how do you get the courage to ask? Today, I want to share with you some recommendations on how you can overcome the fear of asking for donations.
You've likely considered using volunteers to help you fundraise.
It seems logical to use the "divide and conquer" strategy, right?
When you fundraise with volunteers, I recommend you listen to Kenny Rogers' advice: https://catholicfundraiser.net/waste-of-time-to-fundraise-with-volunteers/
You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run.
Let me explain further: Waste of Time to Fundraise with Volunteers?
Learn more by clicking here:
We are two days into Lent. As you know, the three pillars of Lent are:
1) Prayer 2) Fasting 3) Almsgiving
How do you approach fundraising/almsgiving during this holy season?
Here are three recommendations for you and your Catholic apostolate: https://catholicfundraiser.net/fundraising-in-lent-3-recommendations/
You or an acquaintance is involved in school fundraising.
I receive many inquiries about fundraising for a Catholic school.
Sometimes the questions come from a network of homeschooling parents who want to launch an actual "bricks and mortar" school.
Sometimes the leadership team of a longstanding school with hundreds of students has questions about expanding their enrollment.
Whatever the case may be, there are certain fundamentals that you never want to forget. Here is what I think they are: https://catholicfundraiser.net/catholic-school-fundraising/
We all want to find that one donor who can write a MASSIVE check.
Well, how do you get the big BIG check?
How do you find the MAJOR donor?
I've had my share of success stories in the arena of a major gift fundraising, and if I could offer you some advice, it would be this:
Using old-fashioned fundraising tactics to expand your apostolate might seem like a solid plan.
But tread carefully.
You might get stuck in the past and not reach your goal; however, you also don't want to use progressive and untested tactics.
So, what is the future of fundraising?
I do not believe in crystal balls, but if I had to guess, I have a hunch it looks like this. Check out my future fundraising forecast: https://catholicfundraiser.net/the-future-of-catholic-fundraising/
There are countless opinions about reaching new people and finding new donors.
And there are a lot of fundraisers telling you their way works.
But there is also a time-tested approach that rises about the rest.
It’s the approach that makes the most sense in today’s world of computers, smartphones, and tablets. While you may be hesitant to take your apostolate online, it is worth pursuing because of how easy and cost-effective it is to find new people and donors.
Let me explain why: https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-reach-new-people-and-find-new-donors/
I ran my first fundraising campaign 10 years ago.
But it wasn’t until a few years later that I discovered something that made my fundraising explode.
I know “explode” might sound over-the-top, but looking back, that is how it felt.
Suddenly, I went from making slow and steady progress with my campaigns to experiencing giant leaps forward. I saw a significant increase in donors and donations.
You could say that I discovered a few secrets about fundraising. Yes, there are some things that many people - including you - do not know about fundraising.
Today is your lucky day! I am going to share these fundraising secrets. Here you go:
I have a proposal for you: let's make 2022 the year you reach your fundraising targets.
Even better, let's exceed your fundraising targets!
You have a mission to spread the Gospel, and you want to boost this mission with donations.
With that in mind, I want to share how I think you will find donors in 2022. My approach is simple, easy to execute, and works. Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/3-successful-ways-to-fundraise-in-the-new-year
If you watched my introduction video to my Catholic Fundraising Mentoring Program, you know that I outline who to ask for donations.
However, I do get follow-up questions like this one:
"Who should you target with your fundraising, older or younger people?"
Younger people can donate for many decades.
Older people, however, tend to donate in higher sums.
So does this mean you should go for one and not the other? I outline my thoughts on this subject: https://catholicfundraiser.net/which-donors-are-best-older-or-younger-people
Fundraising has experienced significant changes in recent years. With the arrival of the internet, it seems everything has shifted online.
Or has it?
As we gradually approach the new year, you should consider what fundraising strategies will work in 2022.
Should you fundraise online? Should you send appeals in the mail?
I offer you my three recommendations for Catholic fundraising in 2022. Mull over these suggestions over a warm cup of mulled wine!
https://catholicfundraiser.net/3-best-catholic-fundraising-strategies-for-2022/
The fundraising industry has experienced significant changes in recent years. With the arrival of the internet, it seems everything has shifted online.
Or has it?
As we gradually approach the new year, you should consider what fundraising strategies will work in 2022.
Should you fundraise online? Should you send appeals in the mail?
I offer you my three recommendations for Catholic fundraising in 2022. Mull over these suggestions over a warm cup of mulled wine!
Thanksgiving is this week.
Advent is this weekend.
December starts next week.
You know what that means. The End-of-Year Fundraising season is just around the corner.
You can raise a significant amount of donations in December. Some Catholic apostolates raise 30% to 50% of all their financial gifts during this one month.
To help you make the most of December, check this out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/december-and-end-of-year-fundraising-advice-for-catholics/
We are a few weeks away from Giving Tuesday (the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving).
Giving Tuesday is a day when non-profits encourage people to donate to their favorite causes.
Why is this day so important for you and your apostolate? It is one of those rare days people expect you to ask for donations. Therefore, you must seize this opportunity!
Today, I want to share with you how to make the most of this day.
I have seen small apostolates raise more than $20,000 with the right Giving Tuesday campaign. You can, too, with the right approach! Check out my recommendations:
"Is there a Catholic way to fundraise?"
I hear this question all the time, practically every day.
Let me put your worries at ease. The answer is YES.
For the last two weeks, I shared with you the advice of a Catholic priest regarding the key facts every apostolate should know about fundraising.
Fr Michael is a Catholic priest in Baltimore and wrote a book titled Church Money: Rebuilding the Way We Fund Our Mission - Lessons from a Catholic Parish (Order through Ave Maria Press).
Today, I want to share Fr Michael's recommendation on how to ask for a donation. Yes, this priest gives concrete advice on how to make the request. Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/catholic-priest-explains-how-to-ask-for-donations
P.S. You will be surprised that he does NOT organize fundraising events, all the while raising more than the parish needs. Anyone with ears should listen to his advice.
Last week, I shared with you the advice of a Catholic priest regarding the key facts every apostolate should know about fundraising.
Fr Michael is a Catholic priest in Baltimore and wrote a book titled Church Money: Rebuilding the Way We Fund Our Mission - Lessons from a Catholic Parish.
Today, I want to outline how Fr Michael recommends you START fundraising.
It's great to learn what a priest has to say because he keeps you and me on the right path. Learn what this priest has to say:
https://catholicfundraiser.net/catholic-priest-advice-how-to-start-fundraising/
There’s never been a better time to fundraise…
Yet standing out from the crowd can be more challenging than ever.
Enter Fr Michael White.
Fr Michael is a Catholic priest in Baltimore. He wrote a book titled Church Money: Rebuilding the Way We Fund Our Mission – Lessons from a Catholic Parish (Order through Ave Maria Press).
As a fundraiser, I was eager to review this book and share this priest’s advice which applies to ALL Catholic apostolates.
Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/catholic-priests-advice-on-fundraising-church-money-book-review-part-1/
Nobody knows how to fundraise when they start.
Even I was naive for my first campaigns!
We all start in the same spot - zero knowledge and zero experience.
Just like with any activity, you have to learn along the way. Today, I want to share three essential fundraising skills that I think every Catholic apostolate should know.
Whether you are starting to raise funds or looking for some new ideas, you should know these three skills: https://catholicfundraiser.net/3-fundraising-skills-every-catholic-apostolate-should-have/
If you are starting your apostolate and wanting to fundraise, I have some advice.
Also, if you want a refresher of what to focus on, I think you will enjoy these words of wisdom.
Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/advice-for-starting-a-catholic-apostolate/
Have you ever wondered why people might be reluctant to donate?
If you’ve ever had people reluctant to donate to your Catholic apostolate, then keep reading.
Asking for donations, as you can imagine, can be tricky. You spend all this time, energy, and effort fundraising, but instead of receiving financial support, you get crickets.
Why the silence?!?
Why were people so reluctant to donate?
This week, I dive into the reasons why people are so hesitant to donate to your apostolate. Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/why-people-reluctant-to-donate/
When it comes to asking for $, where is the sweet spot?
Some people like to use the "soft ask" - meaning you ask indirectly. For example, the donate button on your website or at the bottom of an email. It could also be a sentence somewhere in a mailer.
Other people like to use the "hard ask" - meaning you ask point-blank.
A common fear is that you will turn people off if you use the "hard ask."
At the same time, if you use the "soft ask," potential donors may not SEE your request... and you will lose donations.
So what's the solution?
I learned early in my fundraising career that knowing which ask to use is essential. There's a subtle difference between the two asks that every Catholic apostolate should understand. Let me explain:
Often, we think that we cannot fundraise alone.
It is wise to look to others for help.
With any campaign you launch, you will have to get people to help you. That is why you might turn to volunteers.
However, there are significant risks to getting people to help you fundraise. Therefore, is using volunteers prudent?
I want to share my thoughts with you: https://catholicfundraiser.net/the-real-and-present-danger-of-volunteers/ - Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook - Brice Sokolowski is not your typical fundraiser. After enjoying a successful career in technology consulting in various cities (Dallas, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and London) around the world, he left it to help my Catholic diocese in London, England with a fundraising campaign. The campaign went on to raise over $50 million, the largest sum ever raised for the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom.
Learning from professional fundraisers, I figured out the basics and then left the diocese to focus on what I love doing most:
To help build Catholic charities, parishes, religious orders, and lay apostolates that change the culture and bring people to Our Blessed Lord.
— Follow Me Online Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricesokolowski/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catholicfundraiser/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricesoko Website: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
It’s a question many Catholic apostolates struggle with:
“How do I manage my time when fundraising?”
Balancing your time can be tricky. Should you organize an event that will attract many people all at once, or do you meet with people in smaller groups - or even individually?
A lot of people will tell you, “it depends.”
But I don’t think that’s true.
I believe there is a best fundraising strategy when it comes to managing your time. What’s more, this strategy works regardless of your mission, where you live, or how long you’ve been an apostolate.
Find out how I think you should manage your time:
Hello faithful Catholic,
Today, I want to discuss with you the topic of persuasion.
How do you persuade some to donate?
I picked this topic because several people this week have asked me this question. The definition of 'persuade' is to move by argument, request, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action.
Therefore, in the case of fundraising, we want to know how to "move by request. "
Here are my thoughts on how to persuade someone to donate. https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-persuade-someone-to-donate-to-your-catholic-apostolate/
You've likely asked yourself one of the following questions:
"How do I ask for a donation?"
"Who should I ask?"
"When should I run a campaign?"
"What are the best strategies to use?"
If you are reading this email, then you've either asked these questions or similar ones.
Today, I want to share with you three ways you can get help with your fundraising. It's best not to guess what works best. Instead, I recommend you take these easy steps to help you: https://catholicfundraiser.net/where-to-find-help-with-your-next-fundraising-campaign/
Have you ever searched for a development director?
If you have been on the hunt, finding a GOOD one can be a challenge.
It's another thing to find a good and CATHOLIC development director!
You want someone that understands both your mission and can assist your apostolate raise funds. So what's the secret to striking gold? Here are my thoughts:
As you know, May is the month of Mary.
With fundraising, I describe May this way: “month of May, fundraisers go away.” Most apostolates stop fundraising altogether. It’s like an extended holiday for their fundraisers because they don’t get back to work until October.
But you’ll be working hard this summer and fall to serve people, right?
So, additional funds would go a long way!
From my experience, while most apostolates forget about fundraising in May, you can have a lot of success this month. Here is what I recommend you do: https://www.catholicfundraiser.net/fundraising-ideas-for-the-month-of-may/
This week, multiple people asked me the same question, "How do I fundraising in poorer parish and community?"
This is a genuine concern for many apostolates around the country.
Thankfully, I have good news!
Over the years, I've come up with a few ideas that work when fundraising in areas that aren't as affluent as others. Check it out: https://www.catholicfundraiser.net/fundraising-in-poorer-parishes-and-communities/ - Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook - Brice Sokolowski is not your typical fundraiser. After enjoying a successful career in technology consulting in various cities (Dallas, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and London) around the world, he left it to help my Catholic diocese in London, England with a fundraising campaign. The campaign went on to raise over $50 million, the largest sum ever raised for the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom.
Learning from professional fundraisers, I figured out the basics and then left the diocese to focus on what I love doing most:
To help build Catholic charities, parishes, religious orders, and lay aposolates that change the culture and bring people to Our Blessed Lord.
— Follow Me Online Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricesokolowski/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catholicfundraiser/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricesoko Website: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
Are you looking for more eyes on your apostolate?
If you are, come join me!
This week, I discuss the two ways to spread the message of your apostolate. One way is through manual tasks, and the other way leverages free digital tools made available to you today. These are your two options, and can you guess which is better?
Learn about these two options to spread the message of your apostolate and help you take your fundraising from a one-time campaign into a sustainable and scalable apostolate. Check it out:
So, we wrapped up Lent last week...
... which means wrapping up Lenten fundraising appeals.
I completed many appeals these past weeks for lay apostolates, religious communities, parishes, and schools.
And as always, there were lots of lessons learned.
Today, I will focus on whether or not you should apply for secular grants. I discuss the pros and cons and what to consider when looking for funding from grants.
Should Catholics apply for grants (specifically secular grants). Check it out: https://www.catholicfundraiser.net/should-catholic-apostolates-apply-for-secular-grants/
Think you cannot get excited about asking for donations?
That’s what many people are telling me lately (and that thought can be paralyzing!) until they realized that major success often starts by looking at fundraising from a different perspective.
Looking back, I can see that’s how things unfolded in many other apostolates, too.
If you’re starting out or at a crossroads, and you need some help getting excited, I have some excellent advice for you. Check it out: https://www.catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-get-excited-about-fundraising/
I recently had dinner with a famous Catholic personality, and we discussed an interesting topic that evening.
We discussed the 'art' of building a sustainable Catholic apostolate.
It got me thinking about the roadblocks for most people.
What do you think is your BIGGEST roadblock?
I'm guessing it's FEAR.
The fear of asking for donations is a HUGE challenge. So, I thought to share my thoughts on how you can overcome your fears of asking. Check it out:
I enjoy fundraising for Catholic apostolates, and I also enjoy helping Catholics run their apostolates. But I think your fundraising should serve your mission, not the other way around.
Take for example capital campaigns.
Running a capital campaign can be very important; however, a campaign can overwhelm the apostolate's mission and focus.
And if you've been reading everything that I send you, I'm all about focusing on the mission WHILE achieving fundraising success - especially with capital campaigns.
Check out how I always start my capital campaigns to make sure they (1) are successful and (2) serve the mission:
If you’re starting to fundraise, here’s a critical thing you need to remember:
You may feel guilty when asking for donations.
It’s okay to feel this. I felt guilty at first, but feelings don’t equal facts. Would you agree? You are asking because your mission can do so much more with some financial support.
So how do you overcome that guilty feeling?
Well, that is what this week’s lesson is all about. Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-not-feel-guilty-when-fundraising/
As you've heard, Texas is experiencing unprecedented freezing weather and power outages. Like many of my fellow Texans, I've been without water or electricity - sometimes days.
Praise be to God; my family was partially prepared for these events.
With that said, assisting neighbors has been the silver lining during these trials.
Serving people reminds us why we are Catholic.
I am confident that helping people is why you launched your apostolate.
But when you fundraise, you naturally have to focus on your apostolate's needs because more funds can help SERVE MORE people.
So, where is the balance between focusing on your needs (organizing fundraising campaigns) and staying glued to your mission (serving others as Christ wants you)?
Here is my suggestion of where that balance should be: https://catholicfundraiser.net/balance-mission-and-fundraising-during-the-texas-freeze/
Engaging with an apostolate's community can be easy when you are starting out. You have time for conversations with everyone (donors and non-donors) and replying to every email and message.
As your apostolate grows, though, it can become harder to "keep up" with everyone. You have to find new ways to be available and stay focused on the mission - without having to spend the entire day stuck in your email's inbox! (maybe you are now?!)
It sounds counterintuitive, but I realized that as you raise more funds, there's a point when you CANNOT forget the basics.
Check out the full article here: https://catholicfundraiser.net/the-basics-of-fundraising/
Putting together a great fundraising campaign means knowing how to ask for donations.
However, you are likely asking:
Why is it SOOOOOO hard to ask for donations?
The answer to this question would change your apostolate forever, would you agree?
So that's what I did this week. I debunked the mystery as to why it's so hard to ask for donations. Check it out:
You and I both know how successful St Bernard of Clairvaux was in doing the will of God – founded numerous monasteries, composed many written works, advised Popes, and helped reform the Benedictine order.
Today, he is a household name among Catholics.
He also offered wisdom to anyone wanting to launch an apostolate.
This advice is especially pertinent to anyone wanting to run an apostolate and fundraise in today's climate. Check it out:
https://catholicfundraiser.net/st-bernard-advice-catholic-apostolate/
- Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook
I have a friend who is launching a Catholic apostolate who wants to raise funds. But he’s hit a small stumbling block...
He’s never asked for donations, and he has ZERO donors.
He asked what I suggested so he can start fundraising in the New Year and raise funds fast. Here’s what I suggested he do:
My top fundraising recommendations for 2021
Advent is here - we made it!
While this year has been challenging for you and me, Advent reminds us that Jesus is coming - THANK YOU, LORD!
You are likely putting the finishing touches on your end of the year appeal letter.
Here’s how I am writing my end of the year appeal letter, and you might want to try it as well.
3 Tips - Writing an End of the Year Appeal Letter
https://catholicfundraiser.net/3-tips-writing-an-end-of-the-year-appeal-letter/
Uncertainty seems to be around every corner this year.
The pandemic, then the lockdowns, then the suspension of public Masses, then a second wave of panic and lockdowns, and now the confusion around the US election.
Among all of this chaos, is it possible to fundraise?
All of this uncertainty can keep you stuck, especially if you’re worried about making the “right” decision.
I won’t claim to have all the answers (no one does), but I can say this: every campaign I’ve successfully run in the last ten years is because I took these three steps.
It’s all in this week’s article: https://catholicfundraiser.net/fundraise-times-of-uncertainty/
“What is the best way NOT to annoy people when asking for donations?”
I get asked this question a LOT.
Many people get hung up on this question when they’re starting their apostolate, and I get it!
The last thing you want to do is ANNOY someone.
I can answer this question in two ways. First, you have to look at what annoys people. Then, you look at what does not annoy people.
You should know about essential information, and you’re better off thinking about this BEFORE you start sending appeal letters.
Here’s what I mean: https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-annoy-people-when-fundraising/
This week, I want to pose you a question: if we were having a cup of coffee together and had a few minutes to talk (and you wanted me to donate), how would you ask me?
I get asked lots of questions about fundraising. I have noticed that some approaches are more productive questions than others.
Here is the reality.
Some ways of fundraising just don't work anymore. On the other hand, there are some NEW ways of fundraising that work INCREDIBLY WELL.
The way you ask someone for a donation can make a huge difference in your apostolate. Here is what I mean:
Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook
I've received a lot of messages from people diving into fundraising for the first time.
The rookies are coming because September, October, November, and December are the most significant fundraising months.
So, it's understandable more apostolates want to launch a campaign.
Here's what I would do if I were a 'rookie fundraiser': https://catholicfundraiser.net/advice-to-rookie-fundraisers/
You've likely come across someone respond to your donation request like this:
"Donate? ... but the Church already has millions!"
Or, maybe someone was even more critical in their response.
When you fundraise, you are bound to come across these types of responses. It can be deflating when you do. Worse, you can even second guess your campaign.
I've come across my fair share of critical remarks about fundraising, and here's how I respond: https://catholicfundraiser.net/donate-the-church-already-has-millions/
Each week, I've been taking questions from people, and the question about volunteers came up multiple times.
Mainly, how do you find people who can help run a campaign?
If I had to start a campaign tomorrow, here's how I would use volunteers to help me raise funds: https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-get-volunteers-to-fundraise/
Here's another episode from my "What to do after the Pandemic" series. In other words: what are some of the biggest lessons learned during the past five months that will set up my success for the rest of the year.
I'm talking about 'being smart' with the 'downtime' you have right now.
Included, I'm sharing with you the BIG lesson I learned at the beginning of 2020. This one lesson - you could say - has set me up for the rest of the year.
That's what this week's video is all about… https://catholicfundraiser.net/post-pandemic-fundraising-strategies-for-catholic-apostolates/
A few years ago, I earned my Masters in Theology to ground my approach when it comes to fundraising.
This time learning the roots of Catholicism has helped me tremendously make the right decisions.
Take, for example, the common fundraising strategy of list-renting or list-buying. When you rent someone's list, you can contact the list of people, but you can't see who they are. When you buy someone's list, you acquire the list of people and can contact them as much as you like, but you don't know who's on the list in advance.
Therefore, the question is, should you be buying or renting lists?
I've thought about it a lot, and here's my response. https://catholicfundraiser.net/list-renting-not-a-smart-fundraising-strategy/
I had an interesting question come in this week.
It was about being too afraid to ask for donations. How do I overcome my fear of asking people?
What do I do to gather the courage to build a campaign and fundraise for a mission? Here’s my answer: https://catholicfundraiser.net/too-afraid-to-ask-for-donations/
Isee Catholic apostolates come across three common fundraising problems.
Well, these problems, well, you could call them stories instead. I say this because, too often, the fundraising problems you face are just stories you tell yourself.
Problem/Story 1 – Donors are “overtapped”. [otherwise known as ‘donor fatigue’]
Problem/Story 2 – People have money for everything except your apostolate.
Problem/Story 3 – People are struggling, but those you can afford to give more choose not to do so.
So with these problems (or stories) that seem to be everywhere, I figured that I would try to explain what’s really going on. Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/fundraising-problems-debunked/
These past few months have shaped up to be a huge test for Catholic apostolates.
As we overcome one crisis after another, apostolates are finding themselves in one of two categories.
Category #1 – Donations are booming
Category #2 – Donations are on the decline
If you are in category #2, I ‘ve uncovered why people may not be donating to do you. Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/3-reasons-why-no-is-donating-to-your-apostolate/
PS – spoiler alert: the reason is you!
Here's a piece of advice for you, "Be careful not to shut down this summer."
Many Catholic apostolates tend to see the summer as a downtime, especially when it comes to fundraising.
You may think this because most people are unavailable this time of the year, so why do any fundraising, right?
Wrong.
Now is the perfect time to attract new donors. Here are my three suggestions for what you should be doing this summer: https://catholicfundraiser.net/summer-fundraising-advice-for-catholic-apostolates/
Several people last week asked me the same question, "How do you convince someone to donate?"
It's a simple question that seems to have a lot of people stumped.
So... I took the time this week to answer them.
Here's how I responded.
For more resources on this topic, check out the article on my website:
I just wrapped up a big fundraising campaign.
We had more than 3,000 donors participate from countries around the world, and the generosity was pretty incredible.
During this time, someone asked me the question, "How do I get donors?"
It's a great question, especially will the many challenges surrounding us.
So with being what they are, I pivoted my fundraising strategy to "get" donors. I use quotations because this idea that we "get" donors is somewhat misleading.
Therefore, I want to share with you my strategy for "getting" donors to you. Check it out:
https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-get-donors/
One of the saddest things I experienced about the pandemic was watching apostolates put the breaks on their mission.
I really enjoy helping Catholics fundraise, but it was heartbreaking to watch them stop everything.
Have you stopped, too?
I hope not. Today, I'm fielding questions that Catholics like you have asked me about fundraising.
Should you plan any events?
What to do about donor fatigue?
Which new ways should you start fundraising?
That's what this week's article is all about. You can check out my answers here:
https://catholicfundraiser.net/donor-fatigue-does-it-really-exist/
As you know, it's the month of May (and the month of Mary). We are five months into the year.
During these 134 days, the coronavirus likely sideswiped your fundraising.
Mine too.
I had to pivot a lot of my campaigns and move on to Plan B by using virtual methods.
But after running a few "virtual" campaigns, there's a lot to like about these campaigns! Fundraising has changed because of the coronavirus, and I want to share with you what I've learned.
That's what this week's lesson is all about: https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-coronavirus-has-changed-fundraising/
Every time someone finds me through my website, I immediately ask, what’s holding you back in your apostolate?
These past few weeks during the quarantine, I saw a couple of common themes. Inability to find donors. Unsure which type of fundraiser is the best. Lack of visibility to new prospects.
All of these can be real problems that hinder your progress... if you let them.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to all of them: https://catholicfundraiser.net/more-questions-more-answers/
- Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook
Three Catholic apostolates asked me questions this past week that I thought you'd find interesting.
Here are the 3 questions:
Question 1 - How do I compete for donations when there are so many other non-profits asking, there is a lack of generosity, and most fundraisers use scare tactics?
Question 2 - Where can I raise funds if I live in a poor community?
Question 3 - What to do when your leaders don't want to try something new?
People have asked countless times these questions over the years I've been fundraising, so I thought to share my answers with you.
The full article can be found here: https://catholicfundraiser.net/common-questions-about-fundraising-answered/
So in case you missed it, these past few weeks, I've been offering recommendations for how to fundraising during the COVID-19 crisis.
The biggest takeaway is to continue forward with your fundraising. Even among all of this chaos, people are generously giving.
The adage is true: When you ask, people say yes.
However...
If you've lost some donors these past weeks, don't worry!
Now is the time to get them back. If you want to know what I'm doing to get donors back, now is time time to check out this week's article.
Full Article: https://catholicfundraiser.net/recovering-donations-during-crisis/
I think we are starting to get used to our "new normal "... or at least it feels that way to me.
Don't get me wrong - there's still plenty of challenges, twists, turns, and bad news coming.
But you shouldn't take this journey alone.
With new challenges come new opportunities. Saint John Paul II taught us this in his Apostolic Letter, The Rapid Development. He recognized that technology would help Catholic apostolates fulfill their missions.
He says, 'Do not be afraid of new technologies! These rank “among the marvelous things."'
We've seen technology help do this in these past weeks; Livestream Masses and Adoration, online education, virtual retreats, and online donation requests.
What can Saint John Paul II teach you about the rapid development of technology and how it can help your Catholic apostolate?
That is what's this week's discussion is all about: https://catholicfundraiser.net/saint-john-paul-ii-advice-global-pandemic/
Among all of this chaos - people sick and dying, populations quarantined, jobs lost, and churches closed, you might be asking, "How - and when - will we overcome all of this?"
If you lead a Catholic apostolate, you might be wondering, "Will people still donate this Lent?"
I'm writing this email in hopes that you continue with your Lenten fundraising.
Why do I say this?
When faced with challenges, Catholics don't hide. They rise, and they take action.
"For God, all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26
Many Catholic apostolates that I work with are experiencing record donation levels these past weeks. One even increased donations by 50%.
Please check out this week's video to learn how all of this is happening: https://catholicfundraiser.net/generosity-catholicism-pandemic/
Everything is getting pretty crazy.
We have the coronavirus spreading around the world, lives are being disrupted, and with most public Masses being canceled, it seems the Church is coming to a screeching halt.
You don’t need me to give you those updates.
But even with all this craziness (and maybe because of it), we still need fundraisers. We still need people who are looking to help apostolates serve, reach people, and proclaim the Good News.
Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. - Isaiah 41:10
The world needs you to remember that God is with all of us. Which means you need to keep showing up and stay focused on the tasks at hand.
That’s what this week’s discussion is about: https://catholicfundraiser.net/fundraising-covid-19-pandemic/
Several Catholics apostolates this week shared with me their biggest challenge when it comes to fundraising.
Oddly, I noticed most of their challenges fit the category of myths rather than facts.
"People don't give because of the economy."
"I live in a community that doesn't have a lot of money."
"My donors are getting older, and I need to replace them with younger donors."
People believe these myths for a variety of reasons. You might think these myths are true, too. I'm here to tell you the opposite.
Today, I want to debunk three of the most common myths when it comes to finding donors. By doing so, you will become a better fundraiser.
Full article: http://bit.ly/2IFPz1k
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and we are now in the season of Lent.
During Lent, Catholics are asked to focus on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods and performing other acts of charity.
As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).
If you are thinking of running a campaign or appeal this Lent, I want to share with you me three best tips on how to do so.
Click here for full article: https://catholicfundraiser.net/tips-lent-fundraising/
What's the fastest way to hit your fundraising goal?
Usually, the super-successful fundraisers focus their attention on doing two or three tasks exceptionally well.
I call these tasks' time savers' because they get you from $0 to $$$,$$$ in record time.
You likely have 100 responsibilities, therefore getting your fundraising done quickly is a priority.
Here are my top 3 Time Savers for Fundraising: https://catholicfundraiser.net/time-savers-fundraise/
Long ago, when I first started fundraising, I learned where new Catholic apostolates should look to find donors. It was a eureka moment for me because it ‘opened the flood gates’ of donors for the Catholic apostolate that I was fundraising for at the time. I thought about this 'revelation' recently when a reader, who is launching a new apostolate and looking for donors, asked where he should start looking for donors. Reflecting on my past experience, I came up with three steps that a new Catholic apostolate should take when starting to fundraise.
Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/best-place-start-raising-funds/
This week I’m answering a question from my community. (I like it when you reach out!)
Becky asked how to get more people to know about her cause. Also, she wondered how to do it without spending a ton of money.
Great questions!
I focus on three things that have served me at every stage in fundraising.
Whenever I’ve had a successful campaign, it’s often because I’ve tweaked or changed one of these three things:
https://catholicfundraiser.net/reach-more-to-raise-more/
Today, we tackle the BIG question: Where do you find donors?
So many Catholic apostolates (and aspiring ones) want to have a sustainable funding source.
But donors don't just appear.
I didn't just bump into donors each time I ran a campaign. Neither will you.
However! Even though donors don't appear with the snap of your fingers, here's what you can do to make the search a lot easier:
https://catholicfundraiser.net/where-to-find-donors/
Have you ever been unsure how to ask someone for a donation?
In the first two weeks of the year, this has been the number one question people have asked me.
"What do I say?"
Today, I'm sharing with you my three best tips on how to ask for donations. You will likely be surprised by what I recommend. You may even completely disregard my advice!
Oh well... let's see if you agree or not: http://bit.ly/3ahWKJC
We are in a new year and a new decade.
I took a moment to look back at my notes from all the fundraising campaigns I've run these past ten years.
I was wondering - what campaigns have worked the best? What strategies were the most effective? What did I start doing differently to make last year and decade my biggest and best?
When I blew the dust off that notebook, I found some buried treasure that I wanted to share with you.
Here are my three recommendations for what I think you should be doing in 2020 with your fundraising:
INSERT LINK
When you're writing an Advent, Christmas, or end-of-year appeal letter, the first thing you'll think about is how to ask for a donation properly.
In other words, how would you lead up to the donation, and what words would you use?
That's why I like turning to the saints for guidance.
Today, that's Saint Paul, the Apostle.
You could write your appeal however you want. Or, you could get a better response by learning how Saint Paul captivated his audience - in particular, the Galatians.
That's what this week's article is all about: http://bit.ly/2rUOxcS
I think the measuring bar for Catholics who want to fundraise is linking your campaigns with the wisdom of the saints. I think that is why my fundraising campaigns have thrived all these years. It's because I always use the saints and Church teaching as the foundation.
Today, let me share with you how divine providence connects with fundraising.
Catholics who fundraise often say, "I trust in divine providence when it comes to finding donations."
What does that REALLY mean?
I've put some serious thought into the question, and St. Claude de la Colombiere gave me the answer. He wrote a fantastic document titled, Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence.
What Saint Claude says and how it connects with fundraising may surprise you. Check it out:
So after organizing a successful fundraising campaign this week, I am feeling very blessed. I am amazed at the generosity of people for the incredible work that Catholic apostolates do.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I raise funds?” - The answer is YES; you can.
But fundraising takes more than just asking.
Take, for example, the highly acclaimed spiritual guide, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.
Here are three takeaways that I learned from this book that made a massive difference for me:
1 - Make your fundraising Christ-focused 2 - Be patient (meaning... don't complain) 3 - Govern your mission, rather than money governing it
Check it out: http://bit.ly/2JjMhBQ
Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook
Brice Sokolowski is not your typical fundraiser. After enjoying a successful career in technology consulting in various cities (Dallas, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and London) around the world, he left it to help my Catholic diocese in London, England with a fundraising campaign. The campaign went on to raise over $50 million, the largest sum ever raised for the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom.
Learning from professional fundraisers, I figured out the basics and then left the diocese to focus on what I love doing most:
To help build Catholic charities, parishes, religious orders, and lay aposolates that change the culture and bring people to Our Blessed Lord.
— Follow Me Online Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricesokolowski/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catholicfundraiser/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricesoko Website: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
Here's a curveball for you: Are a vow of poverty and fundraising compatible?
You have likely struggled to answer this question, wondering how the two can possibly coexist. You may have even had people complain to you that you should NOT be fundraising but take a 'vow of poverty.'
Whether you have taken a vow of poverty as a religious or strive to follow this Christian practice, the reality is you may have to fundraise to pay for the necessary costs of your work.
Therefore, how do you connect the vow of poverty with fundraising?
Enter Fr Alphonsus Rodriguez, a Jesuit priest from the 16th century and a renowned spiritual writer. He explains - in practical terms - how you and I can balance a vow of poverty and fundraising.
These ideas come from his masterpiece, The Practice of Christian & Religious Perfection.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/31qB6x4
I am positive you know who Pope (and Saint) Leo the Great is. One of the greatest and most influential popes in Church history, he fought off the heresies of Pelagianism and Manichaeism in the 5th century. He also led Rome's defense against Attila the Hun's barbarian invasion on Italy.
But did you also know that he liked fundraising?
But pause for a second...
He didn't like fundraising the way you are probably thinking. Pope Leo was not interested in running fundraising campaigns so that Catholic causes like yours can get donations.
Like every saint, he saw the BIGGER picture.
So before you launch your next fundraising campaign, I strongly recommend you learn WHY Pope Leo was such a fan of fundraising.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/2li7AL4
I'm always in search of ideas from the saints on how to fundraise. This past Tuesday, we celebrated the memorial of Saint Bellarmine - Doctor of the Church.
I read a great biography on his life and discovered three incredibly helpful ideas on how to fundraise --- so I wanted to share them with you.
This week's article is all about what to do when wealthy people don't donate and how to steward people's donations (even if the pope gives you a gift!)
Check it out: http://bit.ly/32T0Zqv
- Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook -
It might sound a little oversimplistic, but I have a simple solution to almost every fundraising problem.
And what I’ve noticed is that many of the most successful Catholic non-profits have this same solution to all their problems.
Are you ready for it?
Learn what the saints and popes did. Today, I want to turn your attention to Saint John Paul II. He wrote a fantastic Apostolic Exhortation titled, CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI. In this document, Pope John Paul II provides three powerful ideas for how to improve your fundraising.
See for yourself: http://bit.ly/32LKQDx
The end of August is upon us, which means it is officially Fundraising Season.
A lot of people have given me excuses about why they are not planning, organizing, and launching a campaign in September. If you paused fundraising this summer, the time is NOW to get back on the saddle.
But don't take my word for it.
Check out what Saint Bernard of Clairvaux says about making excuses for why there are no funds in your accounts.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/321Txct
The world has changed a lot since Saint Anthony of Padua was preaching in the 13th century. Back then, you did not have the internet, email, video, audio… and asking for donations looked utterly different.
But there is something that hasn't changed in 800 years, and that is keeping our appeals aligned with Scripture.
Saint Anthony of Padua wrote one of my favorite guides on how to connect fundraising with Scripture.
His book, 'The Moral Concordances,' offer you and me the perfect compass for navigating a campaign.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/2Zy3ltX
You likely read a lot of books and articles about what the Church teaches, but have you ever read this vital document?
The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Published in 2004 by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the request of John Paul II, this document presents a "complete overview of the fundamental framework of the doctrinal corpus of Catholic social teaching."
I have scrubbed the document from cover to cover, and I found some helpful suggestions for... you guessed it! ... Catholic Fundraisers.
With so much going on this summer, I thought these insights from the Pontifical Council will help you.
For more information on this article and how to fundraise, check out: http://bit.ly/2Z12lya
Today is the Memorial of Saint Benedict, and I was reviewing earlier this week Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical, Saved in Hope.
How does this connect with raising funds?
When we fundraise, we often use the word hope. "I hope this campaign works." "I hope they say yes." "I hope to find donors."
On the surface, these phrases may seem reasonable to you. But there is an important takeaway when it comes to hope.
Pope Benedict tells us that hope, if not understood properly, can do more harm than good. This fact is especially true with fundraising, and he shares why.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/30x9k1R
This week, I spent time learning about the life of Saint Joseph.
I came across an encyclical written by Pope Leo XIII about Joseph titled, QUAMQUAM PLURIES.
If my Latin is correct, this means, "However often," right?
I couldn't help spotting the connections between Saint Joseph's life and the life of a fundraiser. At first glance, this may sound impossible; however, I think you will agree with my findings.
Check out this week's fundraising 'thought-piece': http://bit.ly/2LEpMJM
Last week, I offered a group of Catholics the opportunity to “ask-me-anything”…
Someone (whom I had never met) asked if I would fundraise for them and earn a commission from the proceeds. You can probably guess my answer.
What most people miss is that fundraising isn’t just about donations and grants.
There’s something much more important.
And if you want to find donors to support your mission, then I suggest you learn from Abraham. He learned to build the Kingdom of God, and Abraham starting with NOTHING. A daunting task, yes, but he did it.
Check out this week’s lesson: http://bit.ly/2MVVX9w
You have likely heard of Saint Bernardine of Siena, a 15th century Franciscan. Pope Pius II called him a second Paul.
This past week, I read through the Life of Saint Bernardine and discovered he had a strange approach to fundraising.
As any Saint would do, he challenged my perspective and made me rethink my views on how to ask.
Here is what I learned for him.
For more information, check out: http://bit.ly/2Mx4xvh
Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
There are many things to consider when fundraising. Sometimes I’ll spend hours, even days, fine-tuning a letter to prospects or brainstorming ideas for campaigns.
That stuff is important.
But there’s a fine line between allowing yourself to get lost in the details versus moving your Catholic mission forward.
Enter Saint Augustine of Hippo.
He had LOADS of responsibilities, some included fundraising. He knew that it had to get done, but he also knew not to overthink it.
Today, I recommend you learn three ways Saint Augustine managed his fundraising which come from St. Possidius's biography, Life of Saint Augustine.
Check it the additional resources here: http://bit.ly/2MiNmxD
Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
Good fundraising isn't about shouting from the rooftops about why people should donate to your cause.
It starts with focusing on what matters most, keeping your eyes open, and inspiring your community to become more holy.
Take, for example, Saint John Vianney. He began his priestly ministry with a rundown parish, empty pews, and very few financial resources.
You could say he started with nothing...
This week's article is all about how Saint John Vianney started - especially with fundraising - so you can change more lives and make an even greater impact. Check it out... http://bit.ly/2YAFIQy
It seems like every couple of weeks someone claims that saints did not have to fundraise.
The funny thing is, saints (especially the apostles) were very influential people, and as a result, could personally benefit from their situation - especially when it comes to money - but they didn't.
This is what Saint Robert Bellarmine - Doctor of the Church - teaches in his spiritual masterpiece, the Eternal Happiness of the Saints.
Saint Bellarmine explains how fundraising (the Catholic way) can actually build the Kingdom of God and inspire others to be holy, and that’s what this week’s article is all about:
Have you ever heard of Saint Bonaventure?
I've been fortunate enough to come across the writings of this incredible Doctor of the Church a few years ago.
This week, I picked up his classic, Holiness of Life, to see if it had any insight into fundraising.
... and of course, it did.
Saint Bonaventure talks about how poverty can make you rich both in spiritual and temporal treasures. His wisdom will open up new avenues for you on how to find donors.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/2Y3NEt7
The past few weeks I've been reading the masterpieces of some of the great Catholic saints. This week I came across Saint Albert the Great.
Have you heard of him?
He's a Doctor of the Church and one of Saint Thomas Aquinas's teachers. So St Albert earns the title Great.
One of his masterpieces, On Cleaving to God, opened my eyes to something every Catholic should remember when fundraising. In fact, the lesson is so big, that I had to share it with you: http://bit.ly/2IENAvy
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about one of the biggest hurdles Catholics have when it comes to fundraising.
This hurdle is likely holding you back, too...
It's the lack of confidence to ask for donations.
Well... it's your lucky day because a wonderful Catholic priest wrote a book called, "The Book of Confidence."
Fr. Raymond Thomas de Saint-Laurent - a French priest born in the 19th century - gives you and me exactly what we need when it comes to asking for donations.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/2Iy9qAX
Before the week starts, I spend a moment looking for which saint, pope, church document can help me become a better fundraiser.
Call it "monk mode."
Basically, I hunker down and try to get my thinking straight, so I’m ready to be looking for donors and asking them for donations.
This week, I came across Saint Francis de Sales and his incredible book, Introduction to the Devout Life.
You'd be surprised... he has a section on money and asking for donations! Check it out: http://bit.ly/2WK3XdY
I completed a Masters in Theology a few years ago, and my thesis analyzed Saint Alphonsus de Liguori's connection between the sacraments of Communion and Confession.
All that research led me to one of Saint Alphonsus' greatest works, Uniformity with God's Will.
If you don't have a copy or read it yet, I highly recommend doing so.
Anyway, in this masterpiece, I found three pieces of advice on... drum roll...
fundraising.
Yes, this Doctor of the Church has wisdom for us when it comes to asking for donations. Check it out: http://bit.ly/2HWtZGF
It's funny how people talk about their favorite popes. A lot of Catholic non-profits/causes love telling people “You've got to read about this pope!”
And that’s true…
but the most successful Catholic non-profits/causes know that to grow your fundraising, sometimes you need to put a pope's insight into practice.
Pope Leo XIII happens to be one of my favorites. One of his lesser know encyclicals, Longinqua, gives some fantastic advice on how to find donors.
Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2W1qT8g
This week I got to catch up with a few of the Catholic causes that I'm fundraising for this Lent.
One is a religious order. Another is a school. Another is a lay apostolate. Another is a Catholic entrepreneur.
We talked all about what makes for a GREAT Lenten appeal.
Surprisingly, the 'secret' formula can be found in Matthew's Gospel, chapter 7.
Check it out: http://bit.ly/2HksQs5
Over the past few weeks leading up to Lent (yes, Lent starts next week), I've been sharing with you how saints, popes, and councils give us advice as Catholics on how to fundraise...This week is no exception.
Let's talk about Saint John Chrysostom.
His name in Greek means "golden-mouthed."
With a nickname as incredible as this, we know he's wise.
In one of his homilies, Saint John discusses the 1st Letter to Corinthians which happens to be foundational in my approach to fundraising. Here's what St John said that has helped me become an even better Catholic fundraiser.
Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2H89uq1
I have an interesting question for you…
“Did Vatican II offer ideas on how to fundraise?”
The short answer is, yes. The Council Father's wrote an excellent document titled, APOSTOLICAM ACTUOSITATEM.
This document offers insight on three essential areas of fundraising:
- the role of funds in your mission
- how God's plan links with your funding plan
- how to achieve "maximum effectiveness" with fundraising
Yep, once again, our rich Catholic heritage offers you and me everything we need to be successful fundraisers.
Check it all out in this week's article: http://bit.ly/2GVDkxT
About 8 years ago, I had my first major donor request.
At the time, I had no idea how to ask for a large sum of money. I just wanted to help my diocese raise funds... never imagining awkward moments such as these.
At any rate, the donation request went well, and the donor generously said yes.
But the experience left a strong impression on me. I wanted to learn a better way to ask for large donations.
I wanted to learn a Catholic way.
Enter Saint Clement of Alexandria. He gave me the insight that I was looking for, and I wanted to share them with you.
Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2tkBOgV
When CatholicFundraiser.net launched in 2016, the focus was to take a CATHOLIC approach on how to ask for donations.
Here we are three years later, and I am talking to you about Pope Benedict XV...
Success!
Benedict XV left us a treasure chest of letters, homilies, bulls, and encyclicals on how to grow in holiness. And... yes, how to also fundraise properly.
So here’s some insight that I've learned from him.
You can learn more here: http://bit.ly/2DYlsRq
I’m a big believer in learning from the experts…
I even tell my team that it’s all about learning from the best.
Who are these experts? They are the heroes of the Catholic Church. Take for example Saint Pope Pius X, who led the Church in the early 20th century.
In his encyclical, IL FERMO PROPOSITO, he offers us a blueprint for taking action. He explains that an apostolate must ”enlarge its sphere and multiply its results.”
Often, this requires you to fundraise… and that’s what this week’s blog is all about.
Check it out in this week's podcast.
To learn more, click here: http://bit.ly/2sZCBUm
I'm reading Abbot Jean-Baptiste Chautard's classic book on the interior life, the Soul of the Apostolate.
This book is so good that it has been given the thumbs up by three popes: Pope Pius X (had a copy on his nightstand, Benedict XV ( who wrote a foreword for it), and Benedict XVI (who cited it during his visit to Lourdes in 2008).
As a fundraiser, Dom Chautard's guidance is priceless because he offers recommendations for being a "soldier of Christ" who takes "zealous action."
Cistercians, like you and me, had to fundraise at times. Here are three recommendations I have learned from Dom Chautard on fundraising correctly as a Catholic.
You can learn more here: http://bit.ly/2MvXFdU
How much do you organize your day to day based on a saint's life?
I’m not talking about when you pray at Mass, Adoration, or in your room... I’m talking about what to do in all those other moments in life... the day to day stuff... like asking people for donations.
Do you follow your gut?
Do you let things happen as they may?
Do you phone a friend?
None of these choices are necessarily wrong, but they could be the difference between getting that next big donation (and moving your mission forward) and missing it ---> which then leads to frustration and feeling like you can't help more people.
This past week, I picked up The Rule of Saint Benedict, and here is what he taught me about fundraising. Take a look.
Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2MeM82I
So if you’ve been following along for the last few years, you know that I take my Catholic faith seriously in all parts of life...
... especially when it comes to fundraising.
I believe you have to look at the teachings of the Church, doctrine, and saints for ideas on how to fundraise.
This week I was in Detroit... and the blistering cold weather (along with a few books) got me thinking about the monastic traditions.
I asked myself, "How would a monk fundraise?"
Yes, religious communities do fundraise! ... and after helping several these past few months, here is what I've learned.
To read the full article, click here: http://bit.ly/2M1aBIN
It’s 2019 and you might be thinking about setting some fundraising targets for the New Year. Well, you might want to hold off on that until you watch this.
As Catholics, you know that we see the world differently. Take for example Saint John the Baptist in today's reading.
I think the same applies to how Catholics should fundraise. Remember, we can't simply copy what everyone else does. Today, I want to share with you some great ideas that can help you have a holier and faith-based approach to fundraising.
Go deeper here: http://bit.ly/2Sze9nT
My fundraising started to kick into high gear when I better understood how it connects with my Catholic faith.
When we talk about faith in the context of fundraising, we often hear lines such as, “You just have to have faith. It’ll all work out.” “Do not worry about fundraising. What is supposed to happen, will happen."
What do these phrases mean? Better yet, are they helpful? Personally, I think such phrases demonstrate an incorrect approach to how we -- as Catholics -- should connect faith and fundraising.
Read the full article: http://bit.ly/2rMAbrq
Fundraising has changed dramatically in the past decade, and 2019 will be another year of new ways to ask for donations. The focus used to be on direct mail appeals. You’d collect a mailing list of people and mail them your appeal. That method is slowly being replaced by online appeals for two reasons.
The first is online appeals are dramatically less expensive. Mailing a letter would cost you around a buck and change, while an email usually costs less than a nickel.
The second reason is ‘return on investment’ or ROI Non-profits - especially ones with smaller fundraising budgets - find this new approach to be more successful. You can send 2,000 emails for the same price as it would cost to send a single letter. More requests equal more donations, and fewer costs mean more money back into the mission.
Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2PB11MA
End-of-year fundraising is on most Catholic causes and non-profits to-do lists this time of year. So I thought it would be a great time to share the advise a parish priest once gave to me.
He had observed, after a few years as their priest, what inspired his parishioners not only to give but also not to give. He thought if he could only do more of what inspired them to give, then more parishioners would donate.
Year after year, he fine-tuned his process for end-of-year giving and was able to boost his weekly collection by 30%.
That’s really good, but when you read how he actually did it, it’s even more amazing.
Here is what one parish priest did: http://bit.ly/2PpAfH0
After writing hundreds of appeal letters, I’ve found what works best, especially when writing to a Catholic audience. These are not fundraising tricks. I don’t believe in using tricks for one simple reason. We are created in the image and likeness of God, and that means we are designed to give because God is the greatest giver of all.
You will find my tips focus on our Catholic faith and most importantly, your mission. By following these simple steps, you will feel more comfortable about sending your letter, and you should see a boost in donations.
Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2Pahpn5
As you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend, remember to also enjoy this Sunday’s celebration of Christ - King of the Universe. And you know what comes after? The joyous celebration of Advent is right around the corner!
The season of Advent is an ideal time to organize an appeal.
It’s a great time to fundraise for two reasons. The first reason is because it is the ‘season of giving.’ December accounts for 29% of all yearly giving. The second reason is because people are expecting to be asked.
Therefore, don’t disappoint people, as they enjoy being asked! And more importantly… ask before other charities do.
Click here to read the full article: http://bit.ly/2OYA7OI
If you are fundraising in November and December, you don’t want to miss this opportunity. One of the biggest trends in Catholic fundraising is the social media campaign called #iGiveCatholic.
This campaign is an online giving day that kicks off the charitable season and brings the Catholic community together to give thanks and give back. It is celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
The hashtag, followed by the phrase ‘I Give Catholic,’ was inspired by the popular non-profit social media campaign #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving. In social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), when a word or phrase is preceded by a hash mark (#) when it is used in a post, it becomes indexed by the social network and becomes searchable/discoverable by other users.
Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2OIRZwV
New donors can be the catalyst for your Catholic non-profit or mission. But finding donors can be overwhelming for many of us. Based on years of experience launching successful fundraising campaigns, today I am sharing with you the three steps that will take you from drawing board to raising funds in no time.
In this article, you are going to learn how to save time when it comes to finding donors and use a method for building a sustainable approach to raising funds.
Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2Ox0FGv
Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/free-ebook
Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook
In the wake of the scandals which continue to plague the Catholic Church, I’ve been interviewed multiple times by news outlets asking the same question, “How will Catholics respond?” The question is focused on the aspect of financial giving. Yes, Catholics are most definitely considering how to take action. However, you and I both know that taking financial action - which is appropriate - is not the most important.
And yes… it’s the fundraiser saying this - money is not the most important! You and I can respond in greater ways than reducing the amount we donate.
Here are four things you can do to boost your fundraising.
Read more at: CatholicFundraiser.net/articles
Asking for donations is not something that comes naturally to me, even though I am a fundraiser! In fact, I still get scared. Whether it’s a one-on-one donation request or an appeal letter, asking for donations is a skill that I had to learn.
Thinking about how I have improved (and conquered my fears), I was reminded of a discussion I had with the director of a Catholic non-profit in California.
She had been hesitant when it came to asking for donations. She knew she had to ask but just kept struggling. Finally, after listening to her express her fears, I assured her that I could offer advice to help boost her confidence.
Confidence is essential when it comes to fundraising. You can have a long list of potential donors - who are ready to give - but if you don’t have confidence, you probably won’t be able to ask them for a donation.
Today, let’s dive into the world of appeal letters. You will notice that I take a different approach to the average fundraiser. Rather than focus my attention on asking for a donation, I focus on my relationship with the reader.
If we consider how Jesus started his ministry to proclaim the Kingdom of God, we learn two tips about fundraising. Yes, even Jesus collected funds, and he had a unique approach. [Matthew 23:23, Luke 8:1-3, Luke 10:7]
Before he dove into his mission, which included asking for donations, he did two important first steps that we should replicate. First, he paused to reflect on what he was going to do, and then he checked that his apostles were clear about what the mission was.
Before we run around asking for funds, we should do the same as Jesus. It’s important to start any campaign with first, checking that you’re clear with what you want to do and second, confirming those around you are clear about that, too.
Read full article here: http://bit.ly/2JijA6p
How do you succeed in fundraising for your mission, cause, or vocation? You’ve likely asked this question countless times. As a fundraiser, my life’s mission is to get as much money as possible into the hands of Catholics just like you who are doing great work.
I get my best inspiration for running successful campaigns from the saints. When we think of saints, we often forget that they at times had to fundraise. I recently came across the story of St John the Almsgiver. My good friend Nathan, who runs the fantastic website the Almoner, referred me to this saint.
St John is an excellent example of a saint achieving great results by using money.
Born in the 6th century, he entered religious life after his wife and child died. He eventually was elected bishop during the Byzantine era and then gained prominence in the West. He was an original patron of the order of St. John of the Hospital, the Hospitallers, which still exists today as the Knights of Malta.
Saint John the Almsgiver wasn’t shy about accumulating wealth and using it to spread the faith. In fact, he was so good at it that it has become his hallmark. I find this fascinating because John reached sainthood all the while using money to help him.
Here are four lessons you can learn from Saint John about how to raise funds and use money to further your mission.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: http://bit.ly/2GjVOco
Fundraising is about getting people so passionate about your cause that they want to support you financially. How to do this? You’ve got to increase people’s level of commitment -- one step at a time -- until they reach this desired goal.
The decision to financially support your church or cause and its efforts only happen after many other decisions have been made. Until you help people reach this level, you’ll stay where you are with your fundraising.
Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2pw3EoN
We’ve all read Bible verses in appeal letters and brochures, right? It’s one of the classic tactics of fundraisers to stick scripture into a request to reminds us how it’s our duty as Catholics to give. If you’re running an appeal or campaign, you likely want to do add a few verses into your material.
But what if I told you there is a right way -- and a wrong way -- to use the Bible in your fundraising?
I’ve got good news for Catholics who want to use Bible verses to inspire people to give: You can quote the Bible without looking cliche’. In fact, I do recommend quoting scripture in your appeals. However, there are rules that you must follow so you don’t sound like the typical fundraiser just pulling at our faith to get to our wallet.
READ FULL ARTICLE: http://bit.ly/2Dt70gD
Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook
You have to wonder what it takes to start a religious order from the ground up. You’ve got to be equipped with a lot of spiritual, mental, and physical resilience to handle all the ups and downs. It has to be quite similar to the path an entrepreneur takes. The definition of an entrepreneur is someone who “assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.” How fitting is that for the description of a founder of any new Catholic cause?
Over a year ago, a friend sent me a copy of a fascinating biography on Saint Ignatius of Loyola. It was entitled, Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits. (Unfortunately, this book is out of print.) What struck me was that it took a different angle than most books about a saint. There was a chapter in the book named, Saint Ignatius as Fund-Raiser. The author of this chapter, Fr Thomas Clancy, researched the activities that Saint Ignatius took in the last 10 years of his life to build a sustainable foundation for the Society of Jesus.
As a fundraiser, this caught my attention immediately. There’s no magic solution that’s going to raise the money you need or guarantee your Catholic cause’s success. When you set out to build a new project or cause, you do so with the knowledge that many who have gone before you have failed.
That said, this biography of how Saint Ignatius was successful taught me that he focused on five rules which you too can cultivate that will significantly increase your chance of success in fundraising.
Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2G2E8P3
Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/
Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook
My goal with this article is to convince you that there is a right and a wrong way to fundraise on Facebook. Will you believe me? Probably not, but let’s try anyway.
You probably use Facebook every day like everybody else. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer to use it in your next campaign, right? This article is to share with you what I’ve learned about how to actually raise money using Facebook.
I do want to warn you. I’m not writing as an authoritative expert on this subject. I’m writing based on what’s worked for me, and what’s worked for the Catholic causes that I’ve helped. I’m still learning how to use this massive social media platform because it is so influential. With so many Catholics using it every day, you’ve got to consider it a part of your fundraising.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://bit.ly/2F2BzPT
I’m so excited to announce the launch my second book, Pray Pray Pray Ask: The no-fluff manual on how to follow your vocation, raise funds, and spread the Gospel in the 21st century.Though I am stuck … I don’t know which of the four covers to use. Which do you like best?
Right now, you’re as good as your campaigns and no better. But your campaigns might not be very good because you haven’t taken a good approach to preparation. The thing is, it is almost impossible to have a good campaign, especially during Lent, unless someone gives you a good framework.
My job with the website is to give you a Catholic framework for fundraising. I also want to give it to you with such enthusiasm that you’ll take the necessary preparation to develop your own campaign, especially this Lent.
Let’s do that right now, sound good?
Let’s get serious because you wouldn’t be reading this if you were not looking for better ways to improve your fundraising. I want you to be successful and accomplish all you want with your mission. To do just that, I want you to take your fundraising to the professional level.
But before we talk about professionalism, I want to put this word into context with our Catholic faith. When we often talk about professionalizing anything in the Catholic Church, we can quickly think of suits, flow charts, graphs, colorful brochures, policies, and procedures. That’s not what I am talking about here.
When I say go ‘pro’ with your Catholic fundraising, I mean keeping your eyes on the bigger picture; Jesus Christ. I say this in all seriousness because there is a small but vital distinction to be made with your fundraising.
To be seen by Catholics, you need to share your mission and tell them what you are doing. But traveling from one parish and another is not enough. You must spread your reach by using digital platforms, and I can convince you for one simple reason: you will find the majority of your donors here.
Check out CatholicFundraiser.net for more helpful resources.
The first goal of any fundraiser (or mission) is to get someone's attention. If you do not have someone's attention, you can never ask them for a donation. And with attention, you must build trust with the person. Because if you do not have their trust, they will rarely suppor your cause.
This presentation walks you through the most exciting opportunity Catholic organizations have today, which is attracting people's attention ... for free.
We live in exciting times with countless opportunities. In fact, we have so many opportunities that many Catholic organizations are not recognizing them. As a result, they choose to stay in the past and hope the old ways of fundraising will still work.
This presentation explains how you must rethink your approach to fundraising and why it's never been a better time to start or grow your Catholic cause.
Most people have no idea about what the job of a fundraiser ACTUALLY does. If you ask the average person, “what does a fundraiser do?”, you will get the response: “they raise funds.”
If you ask, “how does a fundraiser raise funds?”, the answer will be: “they ask people for money.”
If you dig deeper and ask, “HOW DO YOU ASK PEOPLE FOR MONEY?”, you will likely get a blank stare.
In this keynote speech which I gave in Rome in front of 60 delegates from 22 different countries, I walk you through the ten habits that have helped me become a successful fundraiser. More importantly, these habits have helped me stay focus on what's important: the mission.