Deputized Fundraisers
Those who have been trained and authorized by Reliant to solicit funds on Reliant’s behalf are deemed deputized fundraisers. Deputized fundraisers are most often full-time employed missionaries but may also be part-time employed missionaries, associate staff, affiliated project fundraisers or development officers.
Deputized fundraisers bear in mind that they are always representing Jesus Christ, their local church or ministry, and Reliant in all situations, especially regarding those who entrust their money to the ministries of Reliant. Reliant’s Code of Ethics, the ECFA’s Fundraising Standards, and Reliant’s policies are to be regarded without exception, not only for their letter of the law, but in the spirit of the highest commitment to Christian integrity. Even the simple appearance of impropriety should be avoided.
Do Not Contact List
Reliant publishes a list of people who have requested not to be contacted by Reliant staff. Reliant fundraisers must refrain from contacting any person on this list for any purposes related to MTD.
Prayer Letters and Reporting to Donors
After soliciting a recurring gift for Reliant from a donor, that fundraiser is responsible for maintaining that donor's recurring gift. Most importantly, this includes required regular reporting on the ministry that the donor is directing funds towards. Regular communication with donors may include a prayer letter, email, social media, phone calls, thank you notes, visits, etc.
Quarterly prayer letters or reports are required by Reliant as the minimum standard for donor reporting and communication. Local ministry supervisors may require more. Six to twelve contacts per donor per year is recommended for donor retention. Reliant MTD Training covers suggested frequency for different channels. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring the content and frequency of the prayer letters written by employees under their supervision. Supervisors must ensure that employees are adequately corresponding with donors and that the content of each letter is appropriate.
Each time a prayer letter is sent to donors, a copy must also be given to their local ministry supervisor and one sent to the Reliant office. Employed missionaries who have neglected their communication responsibilities may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination. Supervisors should report poor communication performance to Reliant.
Cultivating donor relationships can also include in-person visits and other suggested connection points covered in MTD training
Reliant Web and Print Standards
Today’s world requires that we pay attention to images, logos, and quality standards as we represent Reliant to others. Donors particularly are sensitive to shifts in meaning by logos or publications. In order to maintain Reliant’s trusted reputation, the following guidelines apply
Reliant Official Donor Publications
Reliant fundraisers are provided with some formal donor publications including the We Are Reliant brochure and , the “Here’s How You Can Help” page as examples. In any case where a Reliant brochure or publication is provided, Reliant fundraisers must be familiar with the contents and use of the provided materials. Fundraisers may not create their own material to substitute for Reliant published materials without express permission from Reliant.
Reliant Donor Materials Created by Fundraisers
In addition to provided materials, Reliant missionaries will create their own printed and electronic publications for Reliant donors, including a regular prayer letter or report. While templates may be provided as resources, the format and content may changed at the discretion of the local ministry and missionary. However, Reliant must be identified on all donor communication, including Reliant contact information. A logo should be included and conspicuously placed. Reliant Brand and Identity Guidelines must be adhered to at all times, whether in web or print.
This does not apply to handwritten notes, specialty cards, postcards, social media, or other less formal types of written communication.
Co-Branding
Many Reliant pastors and missionaries will also use a local church, church network, or ministry logo on publications such as prayer letters. This is permitted and recommended as along as Reliant Brand and Identity Guidelines are adhered to. Note that official donor publications (see above) still require permission before use (e.g. a business card with a Reliant logo and another logo is not permitted without permission, because Reliant already provides a business card).
Reliant Direct Communications to Donors
Reliant's Gift Services Department will aide fundraisers in the maintenance of donors by communication regarding gifts. Check donors are sent an immediate acknowledgement (receipt and envelope for next gift) of every gift that arrives at Reliant, typically within 24 hours.
Online Receipting
Online donors may access their receipts and records of gifts at any time using Reliant.org. Check donors records are also available online, provided the check donor visits our website and creates an account that links with their donor record.
Late Gift Reminders for Check Donors
For check donors, mailed receipts serve as a reminder, using the following approximate timetable:
- Monthly/40 days after the last gift was received
- Bi-monthly/67 days after the last gift was received
- Quarterly/78 days after the last gift was received
- Semi-annually/153 days after the last gift was received
- Annually/335 days after the last gift was received
End of Year Statements
Reliant sends paper end-of-year statements to every donor in the last tax year, regardless of the donor’s giving method. These typically are sent by January 31 of the each year.
Annual Ministry Report
Reliant provides all donors with an online copy of Reliant’s annual ministry report. The AMR includes a summary of financial statements for the previous year and is verified by the Reliant Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Board.
Great Commission Churches (GCC) Pastor Contact Policy
Reliant shares a common history with a group of churches called Great Commission Churches. While the organizations are legally separate and distinctly governed, the following courtesy arrangement with GCC is required for Reliant missionaries: Fundraisers who contact, or plan to contact, three or more people in a GCC church for the purpose of MTD must initially contact the pastor(s) of that church to explain their ministry and intentions.
This does not apply to churches not part of Great Commission Churches.
However, it is advisable to contact pastors or leaders of any church in the case where the reputation of Reliant might be called into question by the solicitation of funds or MTD process.
Public Speaking for MTD and Reliant
From time to time, missionaries may have the opportunity to speak publicly in the course of MTD on Reliant’s behalf. In such cases, missionaries should seek to limit the scope of their presentation to only information that is necessary for MTD. Sermons or other church worship functions are permitted provided they meet the local churches standards and fall within Reliant’s Statement of Faith. However, Reliant missionaries are not permitted to represent Reliant on an unrestricted range of opinions or topics outside of those covered by training; those requests should be directed to Reliant.
On Press or News Media Representation
In the event that a fundraiser has the opportunity to represent Reliant publicly for a public-relations purpose that will reach a local, regional or national audience (e.g. radio, television news, or well-known website), the missionary should get prior approval from their ministry supervisor and Reliant.
Online, Social Media and MTD
Reliant encourages missionaries to use online social media for a variety of MTD communications purposes. However, missionaries should seek to limit to the scope of their representation of Reliant to only information that is necessary for MTD. Reliant missionaries are not permitted to purport to represent Reliant on an unrestricted range of opinions or topics outside of those covered by training; those requests should be directed to Reliant.
As for representing personal matters, missionaries should be mindful that regardless of whether they are "on duty" or "off duty," their online platform always reflects on the reputation of Reliant, their local church or ministry and Jesus Christ.
Alternative Methods of Fundraising
Ministry Team Development is Reliant’s authorized method for fundraising. Other approaches do exist but are not explicitly authorized by Reliant for soliciting funds. For example, selling products as a fundraiser to contribute to a Reliant ministry account is generally not permitted. Exceptions can be requested and should be directed to Reliant.
