3 Reasons NOT to Hate Fundraising

As the president of a non-profit organization, I get the privilege of raising money to support our ministry’s exciting vision. I also get to connect with a ton of other non-profit leaders who have fundraising as part of their job descriptions.

In some of our off-line conversations, statements like, “I hate fundraising” spill out of their mouths in moments of raw honesty. When these leaders tell me this, they are often surprised by my response. I tell them, “I actually enjoy fundraising.”

“I don’t hate fundraising” is not a mantra I try to tell myself. It is reality. I actually love raising money for Dare 2 Share, the great ministry God has blessed me to lead.

Here are three reasons why:

1. Our mission is compelling.

When you lead a ministry that has a kingdom-advancing mission, you want to do what it takes to get that mission completed.

Our mission at Dare 2 Share is “energizing a generation to evangelize their world.” Whenever I say it, I imagine the revival that could sweep this nation through a generation of praying and proclaiming teenagers at every one of the 67,342 high schools and middle schools in America. When I think about the possibility of this student-led spiritual movement, I can’t wait to ask others to break out their checkbooks and get behind this cause.

If you hate fundraising, ask yourself these questions: “Is the mission of my organization compelling enough?” “If not, how can I reshape the mission of our organization to make it compelling so I enjoy raising money for it?” “If the mission can’t be adjusted and I’m not excited enough to actually enjoy raising money to accomplish it, then should I find a different ministry with a more compelling mission to be a part of?”

2. It’s a joy to get others to invest in the eternal.

Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroys and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19-20).

When you persuade someone to give out of the right motives to a heavenly cause, they reap eternal rewards that can never break down, rust out or get stolen. You are helping them build a stockpile of eternal riches they can enjoy forever in heaven. And, contrary to popular belief, we will not all just throw down our crowns at Jesus’ feet and leave them there (that’s a Christian myth made popular by a misinterpretation of Revelation 4:9-11.)