-----------------------------------------------------------------
Raising money for your church is an important task that
deserves the best approach. This article examines campaigns based around
donor recognition that aim to strengthen community ties with your church.
What does advertising do to help make a business successful?
They build brand awareness. Your fundraising needs to
build your church's "brand" by reinforcing the message of who you are and
what your "value proposition" is for your congregation. No, I am not saying that you need golden arches out front
with a neon sign that says "Over 1 Million Saved." What I am saying is
that you want your supporters to have a strong emotional tie to your
church. Your fundraising campaign should be structured to
strengthen those emotional ties through establishing concrete links to
your congregation that are visible to the community.
What types of fundraising campaigns provide that
visibility?
Donor recognition programs serve that purpose. They are
easy to conduct and are available in a wide range of price points that
offer ways for your entire congregation to show their support. A donor campaign seeks a pledge of a certain contribution
amount that could be a one-time donation, a weekly offering, a monthly
automatic withdrawal, or an annual tithe. Donation of a certain amount is rewarded with some type of
donor recognition. Inexpensive items can be given to donors for smaller
contributions in the $25 and up range while larger donations are usually
recognized at your church.
What are some inexpensive examples?
An example of an entry-level price point offering for a
donor recognition campaign is a custom pewter medallion or ornament which
is hand crafted to display your church's exterior view. Two message lines
can be added to reinforce your "brand."
Another example would be creating a unique coffee mug with your church's
picture and message. The idea here is that each donor gets a coffee mug
as a thank you for their support. The mug and your message help maintain
awareness of their "belonging."
What recognition can you give to spur more donations?
Engraved or personalized bricks are an excellent way to
provide or incant capital campaign contributions with recognition. Use of
brick pavers with laser engraved messages in a special entry way or
sidewalk is one attractive method. Another way to display these donor recognition bricks that
will strengthen the tie your church is to design and construct an
attractive landscaping display. Many churches build a prayer garden and
incorporate these engraved bricks in the sidewalks, planters, and
rest/reflection areas.
Ask yourself if your church grounds could benefit from some additional
landscaping. Then consider that each personalized brick could bring a
donation of as much as $150 while also strengthening the bond between
donor and church.
What about high dollar capital campaign contributions?
For recognition purposes, nothing beats an attractive wall
display in a high-traffic area such as a foyer or entryway. Let's
face it. People like to see their good deeds recognized and they like to
see them recognized where their friends and neighbors can also see. The higher the campaign amounts sought for your church's
capital campaign, the more tasteful your recognition program should be.
One simple method features engraved brass plaques on a polished
wood backdrop. Donors select the message they want displayed on their
respective plaques.
Another method, which is somewhat fancier, involves a gift tree. A three
dimensional sculpture of a tree with burnished metal leaves is fixed upon
a wooden backdrop for wall mounting. Each leaf is engraved with the
donor's message and the end result is high-quality artwork in the church's
foyer or lobby.
For very personalized recognition, consider offering a cast bronze plaque
that highlights individual contributions to a specific project. You can
also offer smaller individual photo plaques that provide more room for
customization of the message.
There are many more ways to increase your
church fundraising,
God helps those who help themselves.
Good Luck and God Bless!
|
About The
Author: Kimberly Reynolds is
the author of
Fundraising Success, a
best
selling ebook on fundraising. You can read
more of
her
fundraising
ideas on her website, FundraiserHelp.com. |
|
