The Timothy Group

Should a Non Profit Organization Tithe?

Larry Burkett, the late co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries, was a pioneer in applying Christian principles to personal and business financial management. His impact on how Christians view debt, work, saving, investing, giving, and retirement planning is still felt today through his 70-plus books and ongoing radio ministry. Larry believed strongly that a person cannot out give God.

Charles Spurgeon, the great 19th century preacher said, "In all of my years of service to my Lord, I have discovered a truth that has never failed and has never been compromised. That truth is that it is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave."

Scripture is chocked full of examples of generous giving. On his return from a victorious battle, Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, King of Salem (Genesis 14:19-20). The Children of Israel responded abundantly to Moses' call for gifts to build the Tabernacle (Exodus 36:6). David enthusiastically gave his own personal treasures to construct the Temple (1Chronicles 29:3-5).

Six Things You Can Do To Improve Your Fundraising in Today's Economy

Are you concerned about the impact of the economy on your fund raising plans for 2009? Are your donors telling you that the economy is impacting their ability to make a gift to you right now?

If you are concerned that the wide swings in the stock market, the loss of retirement fund or investment asset values, the home mortgage crisis, and the government rescue of the credit markets and stimulus plan may adversely impact your fund raising plans, read on for six things you can do in the current economy.

Many middle class families are having a difficult time right now. However, if unemployment rates are 6, 7 or 8% that still means that more than 90% of those who want to work are working. Even if giving does not increase this year, over $300 Billion will be given away. So focus on the positive, not the negative. If donors won’t make multiple year commitments at least get this year’s gift, and plan to contact them again next year. Smaller gifts are usually made from income, not assets. So if donors are employed they will likely still give.

Sharing Your Lunch

We are familiar with the story of Jesus feeding the thousands of men, women, and children from the lunch of a small boy.

The Gospels share the perspective of the crowd, when hearing that Jesus had come to solitary place, following him on foot from the surrounding towns. When Jesus saw them he had compassion on them and healed their sick. They were together for a long period of time and the disciples came to Jesus and indicated the people were hungry. They encouraged him to send the crowed away for they had nothing to feed them. Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." Philip answered, "eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite." Andrew spoke up, "here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

Have you ever wondered, why would the boy give up his lunch? His stomach was telling him it was time to eat and he had a small lunch. The logical solution would be to sit under a tree and eat his lunch and be satisfied. That same logic would say to give up his lunch would result in no one or only a few receiving food and he would still be hungry. To willingly give up his lunch was illogical.

Navigating Uncharted Waters in Turbulent Times

"Tough times never last, but tough people do."

Every day the forecasts seem unrelentingly grim. You can't turn on the television, glance at a newspaper headline, or open your homepage without hearing yet another story of doom and gloom. There is no doubt we have entered tough times. The stock market has been down almost 40% since a year ago. Home prices are also down-almost 20% nationally and by as much as 35% in some areas. Unemployment is trending up and real incomes are trending down. As a nation we are waging two wars and mounting unprecedented debt.

Can it get worse? Perhaps. Unfortunately, worse than the actual data itself is the uncertainty of what may be in store for us tomorrow. Is this the bottom? Or just the beginning of a long downward slide? You may have a capital campaign to run, budgets to approve, and decisions to make, but how can you know what to do? Things are changing so fast that by the time you read this some of the statistics I cite are already out of date. Can we decide anything with any sense of certainty these days?

Money Business

Whether you raise no contributions currently, assuming you are always involved in seeking contributions, or are somewhere in-between, it is appropriate to ask, "Are we doing what we should be doing in the area of seeking contributions?"

For some the answer may be: "We are doing everything we can and we are doing it right." For most, the answer is more likely: "We could be doing more and we could be doing it better." But what should we be doing and what can we do better? This article will provide answers to that question.

Three Purposes

One way to approach an answer to this question is to consider if you are seeking contributions for all the right purposes. These purposes can be divided into three major categories: operating, capital and endowment. Probably the most common use of contributed dollars is to keep the cost of the camp or conference center services affordable. But there are other operating uses that can be featured in fund raising. Suzanne Bates, of Camp Westminster (MI) needs to replace program supplies like crafts materials, canoes and bow and arrow sets. Some camps may simply buy supplies out of operating revenue, but Camp Westminster will feature these items for donors to consider giving to. The list of operating items you need to buy can be as varied as your program.