Category Archives: Strategies from Saints

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How Saint Paul would write a Christmas appeal

Learn from Saint Paul's style in his Letter to the Galatians

Make sure to get your free copy of ‘The 10 Commandment of Catholic Fundraising’. It’s a book that highlights the ten tasks you should do to keep you focused on your mission and hit your fundraising target, every time.
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When you’re writing an Advent, Christmas, or end-of-year appeal letter, the first thing you’ll think about is how to ask for a donation properly.

In other words, how would you lead up to the donation, and what words would you use?

That’s why I like turning to the saints for guidance.

Today, that’s Saint Paul, the Apostle.

You could write your appeal however you want. Or, you could get a better response by learning how Saint Paul captivated his audience – in particular, the Galatians.

That’s what this week’s video is all about:

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Saint Claude, Divine Providence, and Fundraising

The Catholic perspective for how Divine Providence actually connects with fundraising

Make sure to get your free copy of ‘The 10 Commandment of Catholic Fundraising’. It’s a book that highlights the ten tasks you should do to keep you focused on your mission and hit your fundraising target, every time.
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I think the measuring bar for Catholics who want to fundraise is linking your campaigns with the wisdom of the saints. I think that is why my fundraising campaigns have thrived all these years. It’s because I always use the saints and Church teaching as the foundation.

Today, let me share with you how divine providence connects with fundraising.

Catholics who fundraise often say, “I trust in divine providence when it comes to finding donations.”

What does that REALLY mean?

I’ve put some serious thought into the question, and St. Claude de la Colombiere gave me the answer. He wrote a fantastic document titled, Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence.

What Saint Claude says and how it connects with fundraising may surprise you. Check it  out:

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Thomas à Kempis teaches how to raise funds

Three fundraising insights from the spiritual classic, Imitation of Christ

Make sure to get your free copy of ‘The 10 Commandment of Catholic Fundraising’. It’s a book that highlights the ten tasks you should do to keep you focused on your mission and hit your fundraising target, every time.
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So after organizing a successful fundraising campaign this week, I am feeling very blessed. I am humbled by the generosity of people for the incredible work that Catholic apostolates do.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I raise funds?” – The answer is YES; you can.

But fundraising takes more than just asking.

Take, for example, the highly acclaimed spiritual guide, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

Here are three takeaways that I learned from this book that made a massive difference for me:

  1. Make your fundraising Christ-focused – book reference
  2. Be patient (meaning… don’t complain) – book reference
  3. Govern your mission, rather than money governing it – book reference

Check it out:

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How to Balance a Vow of Poverty and Fundraising

Insight from Fr Alphonsus Rodriquez's spiritual classic, The Practice of Christian & Spiritual Perfection

Make sure to get your free copy of ‘The 10 Commandment of Catholic Fundraising’. It’s a book that highlights the ten tasks you should do to keep you focused on your mission and hit your fundraising target, every time.
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Here’s a curveball for you: Are a vow of poverty and fundraising compatible?

You have likely struggled to answer this question, wondering how the two can possibly coexist. You may have even had people complain to you that you should NOT be fundraising because as a Catholic, you should take a “vow of poverty.”

Okay… but how do you keep the lights on?

Whether you have taken a vow of poverty as a religious or strive to follow this Christian practice, the reality is you may have to fundraise to pay for the necessary costs of your vocation.

Therefore, how do you connect the vow of poverty with fundraising?

Enter Fr Alphonsus Rodriguez, a Jesuit priest from the 16th century and a renowned spiritual writer. He explains – in practical terms – how you and I can balance a vow of poverty and fundraising.

These ideas come from his masterpiece, The Practice of Christian & Religious Perfection.

Check it out:

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Saint Bellarmine, Wealthy Donors, and Stewardship

Three ideas on how to fundraise from the life of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church

Make sure to get your free copy of ‘The 10 Commandment of Catholic Fundraising’. It’s a book that highlights the ten tasks you should do to keep you focused on your mission and hit your fundraising target, every time.
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I’m always in search of ideas from the saints on how to fundraise. This past Tuesday, we celebrated the memorial of Saint Robert Bellarmine – Doctor of the Church.

I read a great biography on his life and discovered three incredibly helpful ideas on how to fundraise — so I wanted to share them with you.

This week’s article is all about what to do when wealthy people don’t donate and how to steward people’s donations (even if the pope gives you a gift!)

Check it out: