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Over time, we have found that you can actually calculate a "Magic Number" that is an average based on your support goal. To do this:
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*If a supporter is already giving at or above your magic number, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to an amount to set before your supporter.
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- Rooted in deep connection. The reason you're asking this amount is for the purpose of building the right team - and the right size team - to see the mission work accomplished. Example: My goal with this is to be able to invest deeply in those who are investing deeply in the ministry. And I want you to be one of those people. Would you take the next 24-hours to ask the Lord if He would have you increase your giving to this ministry to $amount?
- As your commitment increases, invite your supporters to come alongside and deepen their impact as well. As your current team increases their investment, your ability to invest more deeply into them increases as well, vs spreading yourself thin among a lot of people.
- Make it a regular conversation. Just like our corporate investors' example, it's normal to make a habit of regularly connecting with your supporters about their Kingdom investment. (See Sarah B's story below) "It's that time of the year where we get to connect and talk about your giving and the impact it has made. I also want to pray over you and seek the Lord together on how He might have you deepen your impact. (ministry update & personal conversation. Increase ask, if led) ...How about you seek the Lord over the next 24 hours about this and I'll pray over you during that time as well? We'll reconnect tomorrow around the same time and see what the Lord brought up. Sound ok?" Using "it's that time of the year..." or "it's the season to..." language sets the table for this to be a normal conversation that's expected to also happen again in the future.
- Expect slight attrition. About 1% of those you ask to increase will reveal they need to decrease or end their engagement. That’s normal and still something to rejoice over. Take the time to honor and celebrate your supporter for the work they've done in partnership with you. Share a few stories of people they've impacted with the Gospel because of their giving. And let them know how much you've appreciated their faithfulness to the work. Then give them an opportunity to connect you with one or two others who may be interested to hear how the Lord is working through your ministry.
- Be Bold. Don't be shy about letting your supporters know you'll be talking about giving. Don't beat around the bush and pretend this is just a friendly catch-up call. If you're feeling some guilt because you haven't done a great job keeping in touch with your supporters, either take some time to re-establish that connection before you do an increase ask, or own it during the call. (See Matt's story below)
- Personally connect. "Prayer letters are important, but they pale in comparison to one-on-one connections." - Greg, Reliant pastor for over 20 years. Greg has held a regular rhythm of texting or calling supporters throughout the year to see how they are doing, update them on something that recently happened in ministry, and pray with them. It's no wonder his financial support is consistently strong, even though he has a very large goal. No matter where you are in the timeline of an increase ask, make the one-on-one connection with your supporters a priority. Some choose to take a season of reconnecting before calling for increases. Others choose to use the increase ask call as a way to reconnect. Below are a few examples from missionaries on how they structured their increase ask process, whether internationally or stateside.
- Faithfully follow up. Organize your MTD with automatic reminders to follow up with those who are making a decision (DOH) or have said yes but haven't increased their giving yet.
- Thank personally. Thank those who increase. The general standard is a hand-written thank-you card and a phone call. (Other ideas HERE.)
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Ask for a current supporter to seek the Lord on if it’s time to increase their ministry of giving,
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After years of being in ministry, I've realized it's been hard to keep up with a large financial support team. So, I'm really looking forward to keeping up with a smaller number of people that I can stay personally connected with. They know me and I know what's going on in their lives (and that sort of thing). But, what that means is I do need to have a higher average per gift. And, for me, that averages out to about $150 per donor. And I'm wondering if you'd be willing to be one of those partners with us at that amount… or something else. |
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