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MAINTAINING DONOR CONFIDENCE
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Every stipendiary priest is able to exercise that ministry because approximately 30 or 40 Christian households give sacrificially so that specialized, stipendiary ministry can exist. Donor confidence is key to retaining donors and to expanding the donor base. Here are some suggestions for ways to maintain donor confidence.
1. Let donors know what their gifts are accomplishing. Let them know that because of their giving, ministry is happening: families are receiving baptismal preparation; shut-ins are receiving the sacraments; young couples are receiving marriage preparation; a proclamation is happening in the neighbourhood; and a caring presence is maintained 24\7.
2. Be sure parish procedures are in place to ensure that donors’ receipts are accurate and received on time with confidentiality safe guarded.
3. Help them to appreciate what their gifts accomplish across the north and around the world: ministry in isolated Arctic communities; theological education in the Carribean; evangelization in South America, Africa and Asia.
4. Plan bulletin announcements and articles in parish newsletters that help donors gain appreciation and satisfaction from their Christian giving.
5. Help church members remember what they are contributing to the community by providing space for recovery programs, family celebrations, youth activities, and neighbourhood outreach.
6. Shift the emphasis of stewardship programming away from pressuring existing serious donors toward expanding the donor base, attracting new households, and increasing the regularity and frequency of gifts from those on the edges of parish life.
7. Limit special appeals so that the integrity and accountability of unified budgeting can be maintained.
8. Publish and update a good narrative budget and be sure that the priorities inspire.
Item 63
©2005 Ronald C. Ferris
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