Homegrown Fund-Raisers: City Vision College Partners with CFRE, AFP and CSA

by Barbara Clemenson, CPA, CFRE

Fund raising—building relationship with our donors—is the financial lifeblood of our ministries. Yet many of us came to our positions from diverse pursuits, none of which prepared us for the ministry of fund raising.

Nevertheless, we must be successful fund-raisers in order to minister to our clients who cannot pay for services themselves.

There are two prerequisites for becoming successful fund-raisers: attitude and knowlege. New programs at City Vision College can help us become skilled in these areas so we are wise steward-leaders, bringing glory to God with our donors, clients and communities.

Knowledge not only helps us make better decision, but certification also visibly raises the fund-raising standards of our ministry.

Attitude

Many nonprofit leaders perceive fund raising as a necessary evil: We need money to serve those in poverty, so we actively encourage people to give to us. This fund-raising attitude focuses on the bottom line, with its strategies concentrating on financial results.

This is not God's attitude, though. God never focuses on financial development, but rather on individual development. His objective is so aptly captured in Jeavons' and Basinger's book Growing Givers' Hearts. He wants us to be so captivated by His totally transforming work in the lives of men, women and children that we join Him, giving our time, talent and treasure, trusting He will take care of us as we increasingly devote ourselves to Him.

Taking on God's attitude makes fund-raisers evangelists. Our job is to effectively tell the story of Jesus and let God grow givers' hearts. City Vision College fund-raising courses help us explore and embrace this godly attitude of ministry to our donors.

Knowledge

Solomon asked God for two things so he might be a good leader—wisdom and knowledge. Both are God-given, but God only bestows them based on our obedience, our desire and our effots to acquire them (the essence of the book of Proverbs). Wisdom is taking on God's attitude; developing people, as discussed above. Knowledge is taking on God's truth.

Fund raising is a mature profession with well-understood principles and ethics God has enabled us to understand. As Claude Grizzard recently stated, "There is nothing new in fund raising: Techniques might change, but the profession is mature." Therefore, we can gain knowledge by learning fund-raising principles. City Vision College provides access to that knowledge.

Raising the Bar

Paul stated, specifically concerning fund raising, we should do all things right, not only in the eyes of God, but also in the eyes of men (2 Corinthians 8:21). City Vision College partnerships encourage us to hold mankind's highest recognized, professional fund-raising qualifications.

Each of the organizations devoted to fund-raisers, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, CFRE International and Christian Stewardship Association, have certification programs: the Certified Fund Raising Executive and Certified Stewardship Professional. Both require extensive education, service and experience qualifications.

City Vision College is working with these organizations so its classes qualify for certification, with CFRE already certifying courses for credit. In addition, City Vision College may soon offer what we believe will be the first undergraduate degree in fund raising, providing a recognized education in this critical aspect of leadership.

What Does This Mean to Me?

"I work with fund-raising partners. We don't need this training."

"I know all I need to know about fund raising. After all, we're operating in the black."

"I can hire whatever specialized help I need."

Agencies and consultants are often critical partners for successful fund raising, but God has placed the stewardship of his donors and His work primarily in our hands, not theirs. It is our responsibility to analyze our own fundraising efforts; develop an overall donor-centered, ministry-permeated, fund-raising strategic plan; and, appropriately emply the supplemental outside help best suited to our attitude and objectives. Yet we can only make these wise decisions if we have the necessary fund-raising insight.

Knowldege not only helps us make better decisions, but certification also visibly raises the fund-raising standards of our ministry. CFRE and CSP holders place themselves under the authority of those governing bodies, publicly covenanting to uphold the highest ethical (wisdom) and knowledge qualifications of the profession. Since we represent God, we should hold ourselves to the highest standards.

Increase your wisdom and understanding. Improve your stewardship of your own abilites and those of your ministry staff. Let City Vision College help you "home grow" your fund-raisers.

Barbara Clemenson teachers Financial Accounting and Reporting; Fund Raising Basics and Financial Planning for Nonprofits through City Vision College. She is a former CFO at The City Mission in Cleveland, Ohio, and AGRM mid-east district officer, and is currently an adjunct professor in Nonprofit Management at Case Western Reserve University.