Solicitations of the Major Gift Committee are done by the Pastor. While there are
exceptions, this commitment demonstrates support, importance and credibility.
Identification of key leaders with a high gift potential. These leaders are the key to
a successful Major Gift Phase, which sets the tone for the campaign. Early support in the
Major Gift Phase can change the mind of ‘fundraising skeptics’ like nothing
else. Research and identification of these key leaders and major gift prospects is crucial
to the campaign’s success.
Mark church calendar early with all campaign related meetings and events. This prevents
double-booking and encourages maximum participation.
Volunteers work in pairs. When personal visits are necessary, it is usually more
comfortable for both the volunteers and those members who are receiving a personal visit
if the visit is done by two trained volunteers. It demonstrates the importance of the
campaign and building project. The morale support also increases the confidence of
volunteers and is another factor that helps build community within the campaign and church
community as a whole.
Make sure that every volunteer committee has enough church members to visit and call.
Volunteers must feel useful throughout the campaign. So even after their assigned visits
are complete, it’s important to encourage continued participation – making sure
to take fully utilize the skills and gifts of enthusiastic, willing volunteers!
Make campaign visible through signs, announcements, bulletin boards and banners. Out
of sight, out of mind. Appropriate and tasteful publicity helps to build excitement.
It’s also a great way to utilize members who want to volunteer but don’t want to
make phone calls or visits – making sure that their creativity and willingness to
volunteer is utilized.
Decisions to support campaign should be made within a two-week time frame of any given
solicitation meeting. Momentum. Momentum builds excitement and a ‘can-do’
attitude throughout the church. Any ‘lag’ in the accumulation of support will
cause people to question the project and suspect indifference among fellow members –
whether that is the case or not. Consistent weekly increases in support builds excitement
and motivates giving and participation.
