Jeavons, Thomas H., and Basinger, Rebekah Burch. Growing Giver’s Hearts: Treating Fundraising as a Ministry. San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers, 2000.

MacArthur, John. Whose Money is it Anyway? A Biblical Guide to Using God’s Wealth. Nashville: Word. 2000.

Alcorn, Randy. Money, Possessions, and Eternity. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2003.

I think fundraising in itself is a calling. It takes a person with a belief in the cause to do it well. That being said, I have largely pursued jobs based on alignment with the org’s mission. I simply know that regardless of perceived “opportunity” there is no way I could be happy working for certain orgs because my passions simply don’t align with the mission or I can’t support the org’s operational values. Unless I’m just desperately looking for a “job”, I would rather sacrifice a little in the “opportunity” arena than in the mission/values alignment arena. That’s just where I know my personal happiness quota lies. I don’t mean that choosing opportunity is universally a bad thing, or that choosing passion is universally a good thing. The overarching call to humanity is to be salt and light wherever we find ourselves.

Thanks for the post, nice to know I’m not the only crazy who believes that ministry can be anywhere in the world! : )

I think if you are listening hard enough, “you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘this is the way, walk ye in it when you turn to the right and when you turn to the left’.

That doesn’t always make for the smoothest ride career/life wise, but then we were told to expect “trials”.

Here is another question I’d love you thoughts on, if you’d be willing to continue the conversation. Are we “called” to specific organizations or can we work somewhere just because it’s a good opportunity? I find myself enjoying the people side, the relationship side, of fundraising often times more than the “world changing” side. I think that the causes I have worked for are good causes but they have not been the things I am the most passionate about.

I’ll take a different spin on this. Faith is strongly tied to fundraising. If you are genuinely passionate and believe in the mission of your organization, that will come through in your conversations with donors. Your job should be that of a conduit. You need to link the needs of your organization, through your strong faith in the organization, to the needs and desires of the donor.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject. The fact that you are fundraising and working for a cause should overshadow any guilt you may have for your method of reaching your goals. The fact that you are putting forth effort to make the World a Better Place should make all efforts “worth it”. We hope you’ll keep doing what you do because it’s what you believe in; and we hope you’ll try to feel comfort in your actions instead of guilt.

Have a Nice Day!
http://www.ImaNicePerson.com

I believe one of the biggest challenges in ministry or the non-profit sector is balance the mission with the business. In fact, many smaller organizations tend to have fear when in comes to fundraising as if people will look at them oddly if they ask for money.

When you are led by deep convictions and passion, I believe that is when it is easy to overcome these fears and give your 100% to fundraising knowing that those that share your vision will partner their finances with you.

To address your last point about not seeing a connection with your beliefs and passions, I do believe that meeting someones material needs is a practical way to open the door to sharing the faith behind your passion. I hope that makes sense.

Best, Anthony