Fundraising can be incredibly intimidating, especially if it’s new to you.
There are a LOT of resources out there, and not all of them are created equally. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite resources to reference. These are from organizations whose advice we use ourselves and whose philosophies align with what we believe to be biblically true about fundraising.
The God Ask by Steve Shadrach
The God Ask is a great beginning-to-end guide about support raising. The author is pretty radical in his approach but in a way that all of us can benefit from being challenged by. Check out this helpful review below:
“Best book on the subject, ever! My wife and I have been in ministry for 13 years and have read many helpful books and attended many trainings on the subject of Ministry Partner Development. This book is hands-down the best resource available, anywhere. I love the broad vision and hope that he starts off with, the firm Biblical foundation that he takes the time to develop, and the nitty-gritty practical application that he develops. I recommend this book for people considering ministry, to help them develop a correct theology of raising support before they ever get started, or for people who have been doing this for a while that needs to be transformed by the renewing of their minds on this subject!” – Kyle D., Amazon Reviewer
Friend Raising by Betty J. Barnett
Friend Raising offers good insight on how to view your supporters, develop relationships with them, and overall build a ministry team. It helps the reader see supporters as more than just financial donors but true partners in ministry with you.
“I so appreciate the wealth of information in this book. It’s an easy read and gives great, practical advice. I especially appreciate the author’s years of experience that she’s writing from. Experience always gives worthy credibility. Thank you for your service in ministry!” – Amazon Reviewer
God & Elephants by Heather Rieks
This book is a quick read that covers a general overview of fundraising, but the most valuable part in our opinion was her thoughts on how to communicate well in fundraising. Those communication tips were an excellent and very practical resource!
“Support raising can be really scary and challenging, but I love how this book helps you keep the focus where it belongs – on worshiping God throughout the process. Heather’s words are encouraging, and her practical, accessible storytelling tips will enable you to do a better job of inviting others into what God is doing around the world. This book reads like having coffee with a mentor or friend. There’s no doubt that Heather is in your corner, and you’ll return to her supportive words of advice again and again!” – Ashley S., Amazon Reviewer
Get clarity and confidence to launch, grow, and scale your financial support base.
Fully Funded is an amazing resource offering monthly and annual membership training programs. In addition, they offer a DIY Website Builder Course for Missionaries to get Fully Funded.
If you’re hesitant to commit to the online training course, we highly suggest starting with these free resources:
Support Raising Solutions (SRS) offers in-person courses several times a year at locations around the US. This bootcamp is a great way to jumpstart your fundraising journey. Check out their blog and podcast for additional free resources.
Above all, though, we want to encourage you to remember that ultimately God is your provider, and He will take care of you. We have seen it happen time and time again, both individually and as an organization. If our partners ever want a fundraising pep talk or need to hear some encouragement, we love to talk to them and share testimonies of God’s faithfulness!
Our desire as an organization is to support Christian leaders. We provide nonprofit structure, spiritual support, and strategic coaching, to those who serve the under-served worldwide. If you are needing help with the fundraising or simply need a partner to come alongside you as you navigate your next ministry projects, consider partnering with The Cause!
