How familiar are you with Saint Bonaventure?
I’ve been fortunate enough to come across the writings of this incredible Doctor of the Church a few years ago.
This week, I picked up his classic, Holiness of Life, to see if it had any insight into fundraising.
… and of course, it did.
Saint Bonaventure talks about how poverty can make you rich both in spiritual and temporal treasures. His wisdom will open new avenues for finding donors.
The past few weeks I’ve been reading the masterpieces of some of the great Catholic saints. This week I came across Saint Albert the Great.
Have you heard of him?
He’s a Doctor of the Church and one of Saint Thomas Aquinas’s teachers. So St Albert earns the title Great.
One of his masterpieces, On Cleaving to God, opened my eyes to something every Catholic should remember when fundraising. In fact, the lesson is so big, that I had to share it with you:
One of the biggest hurdles Catholics have when it comes to fundraising is confidence. You need the confidence to approach people and ask for money.
Not having enough confidence is likely holding you back, too.
Well… a wonderful Catholic priest wrote a book that can help you. The book is The Book of Confidence. (pdf format/print copy)
Fr. Raymond Thomas de Saint-Laurent – a French priest born in the 19th century – gives you and me exactly what we need when it comes to asking for donations. Check it out:
I have looked man times for which saint, pope, church document can help me become a better fundraiser.
Call it “monk mode.”
Basically, I hunker down and try to get my thinking straight, so I’m ready to be looking for donors and asking them for donations.
This week, I came across Saint Francis de Sales and his incredible book, Introduction to the Devout Life. (digital version / print version)
You’d be surprised… he has a section on money and asking for donations! Discover what wisdom he has that will help you:
All that research led me to one of Saint Alphonsus’ greatest works, Uniformity with God’s Will.
If you don’t have a copy or read it yet, I highly recommend doing so. (digital version / print version)
Anyway, in this masterpiece, I found three pieces of advice on… drum roll…
Fundraising!
Yes, this Doctor of the Church has wisdom for us when it comes to asking for donations. Learn what he said:
This week is no exception.
Let’s talk about Saint John Chrysostom.
His name in Greek means “golden-mouthed.” With a nickname as incredible as this, we know he’s wise.
In one of his homilies, Saint John discusses the 1st Letter to the Corinthians, which is foundational to my fundraising approach. Here’s what St John said that has helped me become an even better Catholic fundraiser.
About 8 years ago, I had my first major donor request. At the time, I had no idea how to ask for a large sum of money. I just wanted to help my diocese raise funds… never imagining awkward moments such as these.
At any rate, the donation request went well, and the donor generously said yes.
But the experience left a strong impression on me. I wanted to learn a better way to ask for large donations.
I wanted to learn a Catholic way.
Enter Saint Clement of Alexandria. He gave me the insight that I was looking for, and I want to share them with you.