Not all philanthropic efforts take the same shape. While every nonprofit organization exists to advance a mission or provide a public benefit rather than generate profit, the ways they approach fundraising can vary widely.
Faith-based fundraising campaigns offer valuable insights to the rest of the philanthropy sector. Rooted in centuries of practice, these campaigns demonstrate how deeply aligning fundraising with mission, values, and community can inspire generosity. Their lessons extend well beyond faith-based contexts and can strengthen fundraising strategies across the philanthropic sector.
A key term in faith-based fundraising is stewardship, which is the idea of offering your time, talent, and treasure in support of a mission or goal. Being good stewards of the money granted to us by God is a foundation of strong faith-based fundraising.
What is Mission-Driven Giving?
Mission-driven giving is the practice of donors supporting an organization because they are deeply motivated by the organization’s mission or purpose. A donor feels the values and mission of an organization align with their core values as a person.
Why is it Important to Consider Mission-Driven Giving?
As the historic transfer of wealth (see also window of opportunity) continues in the United States, Millennials and Gen Z will become the main donors for many organizations. Mission-driven giving is a key to reaching these younger generations.
Fidelity Charitable found that Millennials view philanthropy quite differently from others:
- Nearly 75% of Millennials view themselves as philanthropists, compared to 48% of Gen X and only 35% of Baby Boomers.
- Millennial donors are fueled by social change being core to how they live their lives.
- Younger donors don’t want to donate and then sit back. They see a donation as an investment in a solution and have an increased focus on seeing the effectiveness of their support demonstrated.
Faith-Based Blueprint: Building Community and Purpose
Faith-based campaigns have a unique opportunity to rely on a donor base that is present and invested in the community itself. Whether it is a church, religious school, or a nonprofit founded in a religion, its donors are not just supporters but faithfully invested in the fundraising effort.
Key Lessons From Faith-Based Giving Initiatives
- Powerful storytelling communicates your mission.
Share authentic stories of those whose lives have been impacted by your organization’s work. Those who have benefitted from the financial gifts are the best witnesses of why you do what you do. Move beyond transactional appeals and focus on narratives that highlight real impact.
- Focus on values-based messaging.
Faith-based organizations often frame the idea of giving within the context of a broader spiritual message, leaning into the idea of stewardship as a call to share generously with others. In the wider philanthropic world, values-based messaging is impactful when framed within the context of doing good for others with your organization. The principle that “it is in giving that we receive” resonates beyond religious settings.
- Inspire consistent giving.
Ritual and giving are readily integrated in faith-based organizations. Many churches include giving as part of worship and prayer, which creates a rhythm and habit of giving. Weaving giving opportunities into the regular and normal events of any organization can emulate this rhythm of action and giving, making generosity a consistent and expected part of community life.
- Be transparent.
Trust and transparency are core to most faith-based campaigns, where donors expect accountability as part of the values structure. Any organization can strengthen its case for support by making these values central, ensuring donors feel confident that their gifts are used with integrity.
- Leaders lead.
By modeling generosity themselves, pastors and church leaders can fully participate by making a sacrificial gift to a campaign first in the community. This visible participation builds credibility and makes a campaign more compelling to the rest of the community.
- Aim for high participation.
Nothing can sink a campaign faster than major donors feeling like they are the only ones participating. Inviting full participation from the community allows donors to feel they are part of something larger than themselves. High participation often leads to a tighter community bond even after the campaign is done. It is not about equal giving but equal sacrifice.
Translating Faith-Based Lessons into Secular Philanthropy
Even for organizations that strive to remain neutral and nonsectarian, there is much to learn from the strategies faith-based campaigns have refined. The goal is not to adopt religious practices, but to adapt underlying principles like mission-centered messaging, communal participation, and values-driven appeals into a secular context. When applied thoughtfully, these lessons help any nonprofit strengthen its case for support, inspire deeper donor engagement, and leave communities more united and resilient long after a campaign ends.
Conclusion
Faith-based fundraising campaigns demonstrate that giving is most effective when rooted in meaningful mission and community. It goes beyond financial strategy. Cultivating trust through transparency and sharing your organization’s mission helps inspire your community to give — and to give sacrificially.
Even in a secular context, placing mission, leadership, and stewardship at the center of a fundraising effort will inspire strong support.
