In serving as a grant reviewer for the past two weeks, I have had the chance to reflect on what makes ministries stand out. In that time, I found a very powerful lesson for ministries that applies not just to fundraising but also even to simply daily operations.
This is the lesson of “living it out.” What does “living it out” mean? It means this:
Your ministry is at its most beautiful when you put into motion everyday what you value and you do it with great joy and love. The spotlight moments or times of trial that you make it through might have the most thrilling stories, but they are not the foundation or heart-beat of your ministry. Let’s dig deeper, and I will give you an example.
In just the past forty minutes, I responded to ten people all seeking funding, five from various parts of Africa, two from India, two in the USA, and one in England. All year long I will receive questions and requests. Of course as a person who could be the anti-Grinch (aka my heart is two times too big for its own good!), I love responding to the emails and helping connect people to resources.
However, I have come to find that in these emails and even the proposals I reviewed, the ones that I am most captivated and intrigued by are those that tell a story, that let me see how their ministry is being played out. Consider these thoughts:
1) Statistics and explanations of a program are meaningless if you have not first given your reader/reviewer reason to stay interested.
2) You don’t have to have incredible, emotion-laden, action-packed stories to have a great proposal. People want to know what your love is and the ways our faithful God is at work.
3) Statistics and each type of story do have their proper places, so be sensitive to that.
4) Know how to celebrate. Remind your staff of the real reason why you all are doing what you do. Give them the chance to share their stories; you never know what you may learn!
5) Live and love faithfully, secure in the calling of Jesus Christ. This authenticity especially stood out to me as I read proposals—real life people who loved what they were doing and who they were serving, faithful and joyful even in the challenges.
These may seem like small ideas, but they make all the difference. A lifestyle of careful, joyful stewardship will set your ministry apart.
Want to talk with me about these ideas? I now am on LinkedIn! http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jessica-high/23/235/477 (Or search for Jessica High, Marketing Director at Christian Foundation Grants) Connect with me there; I am happy to answer questions and engage in discussion.
-- Jessica High manages marketing and research at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online