But there is something that hasn’t changed in 800 years, and that is keeping our appeals aligned with Scripture.
Saint Anthony of Padua wrote one of my favorite guides on connecting fundraising with Scripture.
His book, ‘The Moral Concordances,’ offers you and me the perfect compass for navigating a campaign.
I came across an encyclical written by Pope Leo XIII about Joseph titled, QUAMQUAM PLURIES.
If my Latin is correct, this means, “However often,” right?
I couldn’t help spotting the connections between Saint Joseph’s life and the life of a fundraiser. At first glance, this may sound impossible; however, I think you will agree with my findings.
Check out this week’s fundraising ‘thought-piece’:
Last week, I offered a group of Catholics the opportunity to “ask-me-anything”…
Someone (whom I had never met) asked if I would fundraise for them and earn a commission from the proceeds. You can probably guess my answer.
What most people miss is that fundraising isn’t just about donations and grants.
There’s something much more important.
And if you want to find donors to support your mission, then I suggest you learn from Abraham. He learned to build the Kingdom of God, and Abraham starting with NOTHING. A daunting task, yes, but he did it.
Check out this week’s lesson:
You have likely heard of Saint Bernardine of Siena, a 15th century Franciscan. Pope Pius II called him a second Paul.
I read through the Life of Saint Bernardine and discovered he had a strange approach to fundraising. Yes, he did fundraise, and, yes, he had his own style!
As any saint does, he challenges our perspectives. This time, Saint Bernardine made me rethink my views on how to ask.
Here is what I learned from him:
Sometimes I’ll spend hours, even days, fine-tuning a letter to prospects or brainstorming ideas for campaigns.
These activities are important.
But there’s a fine line between allowing yourself to get lost in the details versus moving your Catholic mission forward.
Enter Saint Augustine of Hippo.
He had many responsibilities, some of which included fundraising. He knew that it had to get done, but he also knew not to overthink it.
Today, I recommend you learn three ways Saint Augustine managed his fundraising, which come from St. Possidius‘s biography, Life of Saint Augustine.
It starts with focusing on what matters most (God), keeping your eyes open, and inspiring your community to become more holy.
Take, for example, Saint John Vianney. He began his priestly ministry with a rundown parish, empty pews, and very few financial resources.
You could say he started with nothing…
This week’s article is all about how Saint John Vianney started – especially with fundraising – so you can change more lives and make an even greater impact. Check it out…
PS – the information about Saint John Vianney’s approach comes from the book, the Life of the Cure d’Ars by the Abbe Alfred Monnin. Translated from the French edition.
The saints (especially the apostles) were very influential people, and, as a result, could personally benefit from their situation. This includes money, but they didn’t.
Instead, when they did have material wealth, the saints used it for good.
This is what Saint Robert Bellarmine – Doctor of the Church – teaches in his spiritual masterpiece, the Eternal Happiness of the Saints.
Saint Bellarmine explains how fundraising (the Catholic way) can build the Kingdom of God and inspire others to be holy, and that’s what this week’s discussion is all about: