This letter inspired by the words of our client-the pastor at Saint Francis-but credit for the writing belongs to Harry Colin of the Cunneen team.
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish is blessed in so many ways! We are an active, vibrant parish that accepts with great eagerness Christ's call to evangelization. We center our worship on the Eucharistic Liturgy and from this wellspring all of our ministries flow. It is sometimes instructive for all of us to review just how far and in what directions our outreach extends, so permit me to briefly review just some of the highlights of our parish life and to discuss some exciting plans for our future.
Our celebrations of the liturgy are infused with energy, passion and prayerfulness. Our music ministry is superb and in the words of Saint Augustine, “ one who sings prays twice.” To strengthen this integral component of our parish life we want to appoint a Worship Ministry Coordinator to make our celebrations even more powerful and consistent.
We educate children from Pre-K age all the way through the elementary, middles school and high school years. This process is critical to our future and requires adequate resources to insure our children are properly catechized to go forth into a challenging world. Our RCIA and adult education programs also are important to us.
Effective and Gospel- inspired social action is an important ministry for us here also. Among the most prominent programs are Americares, the Christmas toy collection, our food drive and our ongoing care and outreach to our sick. We also sponsor a number of social gatherings that are important to sustain and buildupon our fellowship here at Saint Francis.
Communication that is far-reaching and effective is required to link all of our people and ministries together. We want to revive the parish newsletter and strengthen our presence on the website to further this aim.
We have now reached an important, exciting yet critical point in our parish life. We must take the opportunity presented to us now to insure these ministries survive and prosper. All of these ministries require resources to operate. Our parish offertory collection is the lifeblood that nourishes the heart from which our actions draw their inspiration. That is why I am asking each one of you to prayerfully consider making a modest increase in your weekly giving.
The members of the parish finance committee and I understand these are challenging times. Such times, however, require more from our parish ministries, not less and a strengthened collection is the only way for this to occur. By making every effort to be a regular and consistent user of your envelopes, and by making the commitment to nudge your weekly gift upward a bit, we can survive and flourish in our parish life.
Please pray over this important request I have presented you and respond as best you can. We are good stewards of what you have given us and we ask that you in turn practice good stewardship with your blessings. As Sacred Scripture tells us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16) Whatever your decision, I ask for your prayers and assure you of mine on your behalf.
This parish has recorded a 25% increase in weekly giving-the message worked!
Showing posts with label the ask. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the ask. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Things are looking up!
‘Times are tough, but people still give’
Twin Cities United Way posts fundraising record for 2008
The above headline and sub-header were part of a very recent front page article in the Minneapolis StarTribune. The article, in part, discussed all that the United Way has done and continues to do for the community in the areas of ‘hunger, homelessness, financial and health problems, family violence, and children’s success in school.’
Not only are their efforts important and needed for the community but they clearly understand better than some nonprofits, that even when times are tough, when asked, those who can will give. As Randi Yoder from the United Way stated, ‘People understand there are pressing needs in our community-made worse by layoffs, foreclosures, and other economic stresses-and want to make life better for those who need a helping hand.’ Amazingly, in the midst of these very troubled times, their efforts raised an all time record $95,000,000!
While acknowledging the seriously challenging times that all nonprofit charitable organizations face and pointing out that ‘there may be leaner times ahead’, the CEO of United Way specifically noted the importance of all their agencies to both stay focused on their core missions while keeping close tabs on finances. Even cautioning that ‘in this economy, flat may become the new up’. But with that, also noting that this most recent effort once again proved that people will support causes they believe in when asked to do so.
As a Catholic parish fundraiser, this article clearly reaffirmed an axiom we have always known to be true; if you respectfully ask for their support, people will give. But with that said, the flip side of that is equally true; if you don’t ask, they will give to those who do.
While United Way obviously understands the need and importance of asking, we are now frequently seeing Catholic parishes who, despite the same needs, have decided to not ask their parishioners to do anything. Neither asking regular supporters to consider a new level of support or to minimally recommit to their current level of support. Or to ask the majority of parishioners at every parish, those who currently give very little to nothing, to consider some committed level of support. Pastors and Finance Committees at some parishes have essentially shelved the parishes financial needs as an area of emphasis or discussion. Even if it has meant to possibly run in the red or to cut back on the ministries, services, support, and staff, they have traditionally provided. This, even though when asked, most Catholics say their church is their #1 charitable priority.
Why the concern to ask? The two most common explanations I frequently hear from Pastors who have chosen this approach to their finances is that it would either be ‘insensitive to ask now’ or that they are going to ‘wait until things get better.’ Unfortunately, the question with no clear answer for any parish is, when exactly will that better time be? In the meantime, many of their parishioners support United Way and other charitable causes, and will continue to do so, because those organizations do ask.
If you agree that doing nothing is not a good option and may prove very troubling for your parish, we will be happy to meet and discuss your overall needs. Following that we will review your options towards developing a plan that will assure that your parish will, now and always, be able to continue to provide for all who need your help, support, and guidance.
Wayne Miller
Regional Director
The Cunneen Company
866.223.7128
Wayne-Thank you for putting this together-I couldnt agree more! Awesome article and a great message for our clients and those that read this blog. Good stuff.
-John
Twin Cities United Way posts fundraising record for 2008
The above headline and sub-header were part of a very recent front page article in the Minneapolis StarTribune. The article, in part, discussed all that the United Way has done and continues to do for the community in the areas of ‘hunger, homelessness, financial and health problems, family violence, and children’s success in school.’
Not only are their efforts important and needed for the community but they clearly understand better than some nonprofits, that even when times are tough, when asked, those who can will give. As Randi Yoder from the United Way stated, ‘People understand there are pressing needs in our community-made worse by layoffs, foreclosures, and other economic stresses-and want to make life better for those who need a helping hand.’ Amazingly, in the midst of these very troubled times, their efforts raised an all time record $95,000,000!
While acknowledging the seriously challenging times that all nonprofit charitable organizations face and pointing out that ‘there may be leaner times ahead’, the CEO of United Way specifically noted the importance of all their agencies to both stay focused on their core missions while keeping close tabs on finances. Even cautioning that ‘in this economy, flat may become the new up’. But with that, also noting that this most recent effort once again proved that people will support causes they believe in when asked to do so.
As a Catholic parish fundraiser, this article clearly reaffirmed an axiom we have always known to be true; if you respectfully ask for their support, people will give. But with that said, the flip side of that is equally true; if you don’t ask, they will give to those who do.
While United Way obviously understands the need and importance of asking, we are now frequently seeing Catholic parishes who, despite the same needs, have decided to not ask their parishioners to do anything. Neither asking regular supporters to consider a new level of support or to minimally recommit to their current level of support. Or to ask the majority of parishioners at every parish, those who currently give very little to nothing, to consider some committed level of support. Pastors and Finance Committees at some parishes have essentially shelved the parishes financial needs as an area of emphasis or discussion. Even if it has meant to possibly run in the red or to cut back on the ministries, services, support, and staff, they have traditionally provided. This, even though when asked, most Catholics say their church is their #1 charitable priority.
Why the concern to ask? The two most common explanations I frequently hear from Pastors who have chosen this approach to their finances is that it would either be ‘insensitive to ask now’ or that they are going to ‘wait until things get better.’ Unfortunately, the question with no clear answer for any parish is, when exactly will that better time be? In the meantime, many of their parishioners support United Way and other charitable causes, and will continue to do so, because those organizations do ask.
If you agree that doing nothing is not a good option and may prove very troubling for your parish, we will be happy to meet and discuss your overall needs. Following that we will review your options towards developing a plan that will assure that your parish will, now and always, be able to continue to provide for all who need your help, support, and guidance.
Wayne Miller
Regional Director
The Cunneen Company
866.223.7128
Wayne-Thank you for putting this together-I couldnt agree more! Awesome article and a great message for our clients and those that read this blog. Good stuff.
-John
Saturday, August 23, 2008
"The Ask"
Much has been written, much more will be written (I think I am writing about it even now) about "The Ask".
Much like exercise or dieting the literature surrounding "the ask" is all about making the act of asking easier, painless, effortless, not difficult. "Ten easy ways to...fifteen ways to guarantee success..." As I browse the titles of books and articles on the subject I feel as though I am in the diet/self help aisle of my local Barnes and Noble.
Do we really enjoy the task of asking so little that we are desperate for the quick fix? How has an entire profession been created around the central task of asking for money while so many that practice the profession will do virtually anything to avoid performing the primary function of the entire industry-asking for money?
I have more to say here, we consulting types always do, but I promise that I have no easy steps, no painless methods, no tactics to give you rock solid results in only ten minutes a day - no "asks of steel" from me!
Much like exercise or dieting the literature surrounding "the ask" is all about making the act of asking easier, painless, effortless, not difficult. "Ten easy ways to...fifteen ways to guarantee success..." As I browse the titles of books and articles on the subject I feel as though I am in the diet/self help aisle of my local Barnes and Noble.
Do we really enjoy the task of asking so little that we are desperate for the quick fix? How has an entire profession been created around the central task of asking for money while so many that practice the profession will do virtually anything to avoid performing the primary function of the entire industry-asking for money?
I have more to say here, we consulting types always do, but I promise that I have no easy steps, no painless methods, no tactics to give you rock solid results in only ten minutes a day - no "asks of steel" from me!
Monday, July 28, 2008
When the joy is absent from giving.
As someone who owns a fundraising consulting firm, has managed many capital campaigns and annual appeals,trained hundreds of volunteers and as a donor to many worthy organizations in my community I firmly subscribe to the old adage about the "joy of giving"! I teach it, I write about it, it's in my proposals and in this particular case I really do think giving, when done properly, is fantastic - A true joy!
However there is a form of giving that I am forced to participate in that lacks any real joy. This is that neato solicitation from my clients!
Yes those wonderful clients who you've taught so well, trained on building a case, trained on the proper ask, trained on the proper timing of the ask-who invite you to lunch (that I ultimately pay for)and somewhere between the lobster bisque and the healthy fish of the day they slide a "really neat sponsorship" "worthy raffle" "great anniversary book" "incredible golf tournament flag sponsorship" "high profile advertisement in informative directory" "lunch sponsor at their event which they refuse to let me speak at" giving opportunity!
This solicitation, of course, comes with almost no explanation, no discussion of what the money is being used for, no pitch on the case. No head fake in my direction to pretend that I might be interested in the actual project. Just that sorta half smile, slightly awkward yet expectant slide across the table of the important information!
I know this comes off as another half rant/complaint and it is meant to! I am after all whining rather vigorously. However I do believe there is a lesson here. A lesson for me as a fundraising professional, a lesson for me as a business owner and an important lesson for my clients. Never take your relationships for granted. It doesn't matter how much you've done for a client, or they've done for you, how much you as the school or church have done for the donor-how many favors, extra effort or special exceptions you may have made.
At the end of the day giving is a deeply personal and emotional experience. When someone signs that check they want to feel good, they want to feel appreciated, they want to feel that their gift was needed. Appreciate your donors (all of them, even those that "should" give) always make your case, always approach the ask as if this were a first time solicitation.
As I said NO to a major sponsorship today it was as if a small light popped on in the deep recesses of my fundraising/business/emotional brain. "No mas!" Do it right, ask properly or "No mas!"
However there is a form of giving that I am forced to participate in that lacks any real joy. This is that neato solicitation from my clients!
Yes those wonderful clients who you've taught so well, trained on building a case, trained on the proper ask, trained on the proper timing of the ask-who invite you to lunch (that I ultimately pay for)and somewhere between the lobster bisque and the healthy fish of the day they slide a "really neat sponsorship" "worthy raffle" "great anniversary book" "incredible golf tournament flag sponsorship" "high profile advertisement in informative directory" "lunch sponsor at their event which they refuse to let me speak at" giving opportunity!
This solicitation, of course, comes with almost no explanation, no discussion of what the money is being used for, no pitch on the case. No head fake in my direction to pretend that I might be interested in the actual project. Just that sorta half smile, slightly awkward yet expectant slide across the table of the important information!
I know this comes off as another half rant/complaint and it is meant to! I am after all whining rather vigorously. However I do believe there is a lesson here. A lesson for me as a fundraising professional, a lesson for me as a business owner and an important lesson for my clients. Never take your relationships for granted. It doesn't matter how much you've done for a client, or they've done for you, how much you as the school or church have done for the donor-how many favors, extra effort or special exceptions you may have made.
At the end of the day giving is a deeply personal and emotional experience. When someone signs that check they want to feel good, they want to feel appreciated, they want to feel that their gift was needed. Appreciate your donors (all of them, even those that "should" give) always make your case, always approach the ask as if this were a first time solicitation.
As I said NO to a major sponsorship today it was as if a small light popped on in the deep recesses of my fundraising/business/emotional brain. "No mas!" Do it right, ask properly or "No mas!"
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