Why Catholics are Terrible At Fundraising (And What to Do About it)

I’ve been fundraising for Catholic organizations for several years now, and I have been blessed to meet so many incredible Catholics who work and volunteer for them.

Why Catholics are Terrible at Fundraising

Most Catholics get involved because they want to make a difference. They want to help a cause that is bigger than them. They love their Catholic faith and are passionate about helping others. I am delighted to meet so many of these people, as they motivate me to keep helping Catholics raise money to do extraordinary things.

However, when they come to me for assistance, I find their challenges with fundraising usually revolve around one key issue: Catholics find it difficult to explain concisely and clearly what they do. This challenge is not unique to appeals either.

It’s important that you can explain your mission even before you ask for donations. Therefore, to improve your fundraising, I recommend you do the following five steps:

  1. Know how exactly how to articulate what you do (in one to two sentences).
  2. Share what you do with other Catholics (without asking for money)
  3. Provide opportunities for Catholics to learn what you do
  4. Regularly share stories of how you are succeeding in your work
  5. Build relationships with people (especially your donors)

The biggest roadblocks in fundraising aren’t about asking for money because it goes beyond asking people for donations. Yes, you heard me. Fundraising is about connecting with people and inspiring them to give.

If you can connect with them, you can inspire them. And, if they are inspired, they will donate.

Discussion Question: How can you tell your charity’s story better to the people around you? (Please leave a comment below)

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Brice was born and raised Catholic. After enjoying a successful career in technology consulting with Accenture and PriceWaterhouseCoopers in cities across the United States (Dallas, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and London) around the world, he left it to help his Catholic diocese in London, England with a fundraising campaign. The campaign went on to raise over $60 million, the largest sum ever raised for the diocese and in the United Kingdom.

Learning from professional fundraisers, he figured out the basics and then left the diocese to focus on what he loves most: building Catholic charities that change the culture, save lives, and save souls.

Brice currently lives in Texas and travels the world helping Catholics fundraise. This website is where he shares what he is doing and how he is raising funds for Catholic causes and missions. That way you can move more quickly with your next appeal.

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