Fundraisers: Brokers for God’s Word (Germany)
Puerto Rico Cyclists Pedal for God’s Word

In many affluent societies, it seems that a certain level of donor fatigue has been reached. On the other hand, in poorer countries, the need for the Scriptures is only one among many needs, including food, clothing, and education.

GERMANY — ‘Brokers’ are the people who join two elements together: for instance the group with money to invest and the projects where the money is needed.

In that respect, a Bible Society fundraiser can be seen as a very special broker – the one who brings together those people who want to finance the distribution of Scriptures, and the Society itself, which organises the distribution projects.

Brokers have to meet high standards, not only of expertise, but also of conduct. This is especially true of Bible Society fundraisers. They are not only subject to the ethical standards of fundraising in general, but they must adhere to the high standards of Christian stewardship.

Then, in 2 Corinthians, Paul gives guidelines for financing this ministry through the collection of gifts. The Bible’s standards for Christian conduct, applied to the fundraisers who collect these gifts, are uncompromising: They are to be “clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12), but they are also to “be determined to run the race that is ahead...” (Hebrews 12:1).

Throughout the Book of Proverbs there are references to the virtues of honesty, accuracy and diligence. These then, are our standards for fundraising. But how do we apply them to our endeavours? Are we good brokers for the Bible cause?

Fundraising in the UBS

Another clear message coming out of the World Assembly was that the gap is increasing between the rich and poor nations. In many affluent societies, it seems that a certain level of donor fatigue has been reached. On the other hand, in poorer countries, the need for the Scriptures is only one among many needs, including food, clothing, and education.

And the pressure on fundraisers is increased by the fact that the Scriptures can, through new literacy programs, be instrumental in addressing the need for education – which in the long term is the best way to combat poverty.

In the meantime, another gap is widening in the UBS – fundraising income is decreasing while production and delivery costs are increasing. Over the past two decades, the UBS has attempted to find ways of closing this gap through the creation of fundraising subcommittees and working groups. But despite intense efforts and an increasing awareness of the need for active fundraising, these gaps have continued to grow dramatically.

Objectives

– to create a mindset that fundraising is a priority in the ministry;
– to develop and maintain the belief that everyone shares in the financial burden, and
– to provide leadership in the area of fundraising by appointing a Fundraising Task Force.

The first step towards the realisation of these objectives took place in September 1998, with the creation of the Fundraising Task Force.

Professionalism

The Fundraising Task Force redefines professional fundraising as follows:

“All fundraising efforts, even small, local initiatives, can be professional if they meet the highest quality standards and are therefore successful, whereas even large actions can be unprofessionally conducted, which is not in keeping with the UBS mission.”

Principles

– To raise funds, the Bible Society must identify people who share its aims and win their financial support for its activities. To maintain the flow of funds, these contacts must be cultivated. This should be regarded as an investment in the future.

– There is already a pool from which potential donors can be drawn, including the churches, Christians who are not necessarily churchgoers, volunteers, customers and even suppliers. But the field from which new donors can be found is as wide as the mind of the fundraiser allows – women’s groups, youth groups, schools, colleges, clubs, business firms, and associations. In other words, wherever people gather, there is a potential for fundraising.
 

– Good friends are treated with consideration and care. In the case of fundraising, this means a carefully planned approach to enlist their help; clear and comprehensive communication of our aims; recognition of their contribution; and feedback concerning the success of the actions they have supported.

All of the above boils down to careful administration, including keeping lists up to date and not mixing lists of regular donors with lists of new donors. It also means regular communication, and, above all, warm and personal interest in the donors and the sincere communication of gratitude for their support.

Varied techniques

One implication for the local fundraiser is that he or she has to be aware of the fact that the Bible Society is not the only organisation trying to bridge a needs-and-means gap. Because the poverty gap is widening all over the world, the competition for donors’ money is increasing.

The local fundraiser must use the resources and experience of the UBS worldwide. Both the UBS Fundraising Manual (revised in 1995), and the new Guide to Millennium Fundraising contain step-by-step instructions for the novice fundraiser, and many helpful hints for the experienced fundraiser.

Tomorrow Began Yesterday

Towards the end of the 1980s, the business of charity fundraising changed. The era of the mega-event began with the Live-Aid concert for Africa and the worldwide telethon that followed.

The idea of using celebrities, contemporary culture, and the mass media in combination to raise funds proved to be very successful.

Bible Societies can also take advantage of this phenomenon. The media are available. For example, the Internet is as useful a way of contacting large numbers of people as television, and it is a lot cheaper. Today, when virtually every household in the world has a telephone, telephone marketing is also a very effective method.
 

Where Do We Go From Here?

A second part of this philosophy is the belief that people give to help people. The best appeals are direct and concrete, creating an immediate feeling of having done somebody a good turn.

In 1996, the UBS carried out a survey to establish the state of fundraising in each of the member Societies. The questionnaire did not concentrate on the quantitative aspects of fundraising, but rather on the qualitative aspect of fundraising in the UBS. Only quality fundraising, meeting the highest ethical standards, can qualify as an integral part of the ministry.

All Bible Societies within the UBS share the gap, and each one must do what it can to narrow it. One way to combat the gap is to see fundraising as an integral part of the ministry. This means that all Societies must co-operate on a worldwide basis.

Fundraising itself is too individual and too determined by local conditions for the UBS to be able to hand out ‘one-size-fits-all’ recipes, but the existing manual – and especially the new Guide to Millennium Fundraising – are very comprehensive and helpful.

Finally, let us remember that the Bible itself is the basis of our endeavours. In it we find our orders and our code of conduct. Our aim is to bring the Good News to all people. To this we should all be wholly committed – even when that means getting involved in unglamorous necessities such as raising funds to continue the ministry. (WR 342/24 - 7/8.99) [PHOTOS]

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico — More than 80 cyclists took part in the Bible Society of Puerto Rico’s fourth bike event, ‘Cycling for the Hope of our Country’, held in April. Through the 350-kilometre (220-mile) event, more than 10,000 Scripture Portions were distributed and the visibility of the Bible Society was raised.

Participants and their support teams came from Ireland, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, as well Puerto Rico.

Each time the cyclists arrived in one of the 30 towns on their route, they were joined by local cyclists. Sometimes public figures joined in. This was the case with Hon William Miranda Marín, the mayor of Caguas, who not only received the event, but also cycled from his town to the neighbouring district of Aguas Buenas.

En route the cyclists distributed a Portion specially prepared for the event called ‘The Promises of God For You’, with the events logo.

Once again the Bible Society was able to penetrate the secular community of Puerto Rico with the Word of God through a sporting event.

The pastor of the United Evangelical Church in Santa Isabel and a Pentecostal pastor of Patillas helped with the event. Young people from local churches in places through which the cyclists passed also helped to receive the cyclists and participated in the distribution of the Word.

‘Cycling for the Hope of our Country’ has become one of the important events on Puerto Rico’s sporting calendar. (WR 342/25 - 7/8.99) [PHOTOS]