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How does inviting a supporter to increase honor them? In the Practical Steps section, of this page, you'll find instructions on calculating an Intentional Gift Amount. This is based on the number of supporters you feel you can wrap your arms around and stay connected with over the course of a year. Why think through this? Because when it comes time for cultivation of your MTD partnerships, you can have a quick touch-base with 150 partners or a meaningful connection with 50 partners. It's for you to decide. Do you want a team of ministry donors, or ministry partners? There's a big difference, and it will impact every aspect of how you do MTD. If you're desiring partnership, consider; "What makes someone a true partner in ministry? And how do I honor that relationship?" Writing your prayer letter in a partner-centered way; showing them how they're making an impact, is a start! Other things to consider: Asking for their advice, inviting them to volunteer, giving them opportunities to speak into your life, sending short prayer texts, investing in their life as a spiritual friend - a place in which they can find meaningful connection that points them to Jesus (this need can be especially high among some of our higher-capacity partners). Yes, this will require some extra work on the front-end. But, it will also mean less time on the back-end having to find new donors. Start small, with the vision to build up to this ideal over a number of years. The Practical Steps section will encourage you to start with a list of 20 people. Ask the Lord to show you what 20 partners He wants you to invest in and go deeper with this year. |
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Because careers change, salaries flux, investments grow and giving capacity changes, we regularly engage our donors in opportunities to lift (increase) their giving. That supporter who came on your team as a new college grad likely has a different income ten years into her career. If you've never engaged her in an increase ask, it's likely something she hasn't considered, even though she has the capacity. Encouraging your ministry partners to seek the Lord on the level of engagement He is asking them to lean into this year, yields a more robust support team and a deeper connection with them. Just like our corporate investors' example, it's normal to make a habit of regularly connecting with your supporters about their Kingdom investment. 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. "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?" For more, see Sarah B's story below. |
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As your commitment to ministry increases (through a change in your role, an increase in responsibility, even a deepened resolve to reach the unreached), invite your partners to increase their impact. Some have put it this way, "As my commitment to minister has deepened, it makes sense to invite you, my partner in ministry, to deepen your commitment as well by increasing your ministry impact." 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. |
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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 might be passionate about this ministry work. Don't be surprised by this attrition! Bless them and release them. It's part of the pruning process and it leads to a more vibrant and healthy team. |
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When reaching out , 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 invite them to consider an increase, or come out and own it during the call. (See Matt's story below) |
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