As you raise funds, the challenge always is looking for new contacts. One of the ways to successfully accomplish that is to have a donor provide a dessert time and invite friends. On one occasion, I asked one of our donors to do that and they gladly agreed. At that desert time, I was introduced to a gentleman who you knew very little about me and my ministry. During our time together, he caught our passion and vision. He then began to support the ministry. He also caught the vision of introducing his friends to our ministry who then caught the vision and started giving financially. Whether raising personal support or fund raising for your organization sharing your passion and vision with one individual can help extend your network and increase the number of those who can support your ministry.

I had the occasion to place a call to one of our donors and thank them for their ongoing contribution. I shared the good news of what the Lord was doing and outlined a major project. As I shared the total dollar amount of this major project the person surprised me by saying, "I'll do 5%". When it comes to support raising or fund raising for your organization some of your major donors would welcome a chance to get involved in a big project and would know exactly what they want to give-- in this case 5%!

When I call a prospect or donor and share my ministry and I sense their excitement I love to hear these words, "I like to hear more. Give me a call back!" Their saying these words obviously signals to me a growing interest to stay connected. Whether raising personal support or fund raising for your organization keep following up those prospects and look for those encouraging words, "I'd like to hear more. Give me a call back!"

On one occasion I was unsuccessful in getting a hold of a donor through their home phone. After a number of attempts I looked into my records and I found their cell phone and placed the call. As the donor answered the phone he said, "How in the world did you get my cell phone number?" Saving those cell phone numbers can come in very handy when it comes to support raising or fundraising for your organization.

How do you react when you get a letter or email from a prospective or donor that is negative? A natural response is to get upset, to start thinking negatively, and we begin to think the worst--"They will never give again". I want to encourage you not to jump the gun because many times you can turn a negative into a positive. I'll never forget receiving a very negative letter from a donor. Yes, I was upset but after some prayer, getting some advice, and regaining my wits I decided to place a call. The negative tone of their email initially came out through the phone call but the donor was surprised that I had chosen to call. After a matter of minutes, their tone changed and they left the phone call saying, "Thanks so very much for calling me." When it comes to support raising or ministry partner development don't be afraid to respond to the negatives and pray that they can be changed to a positive.

We all know the Lord is active and alive and working in our lives and ministries. There were some amazing things taking place back in my life and ministry and I just simply spread the news of what the Lord was doing. Several weeks later a supporting church got in contact with me because they had heard the good news of what's taking place through one of our donors. As a result, their missions committee decided to take a look at how they can further provide financial assistance. Here is another example of where you and I need to spread the good news and let it run its course and watch the Lord do some marvelous things.

When you read the title of reaffirming the appointment, you might say, "Well how basic can you get?" Well that's the point–don't forget the basics. Unfortunately, I drove with my wife to a retirement home a number of miles from my home to meet one of our donors for lunch. We arrived early and we were excited to see her. My wife waited in the car while I made my way to the reception area. A few minutes passed and the donor had not appeared and I asked the lady at the switch board if she would try to contact her but that was to no avail. I waited a few more minutes and then asked her if she wouldn't mind contacting one of the apartments adjacent to her to see if they had seen her that very day. But again no response! Well, she never showed up and had forgotten the appointment and I had failed to follow through the basics of reconfirming the appointment.

As a missionary, church planter, or one engaged in ministry, it's very natural for us to speak in theological and mission terms. That may be certainly appropriate for talking to your peers but talking to your donors who simply have no grasp of what you're talking about is not the way to go, just simply keep it simple!