Raising Funds as a Component of Parish Life Boston Metropolis Clergy/Laity, October 1, 2011

Society promotes different values than it did just a short time ago…

2010’s 1980’s 1950’s But one thing remains the same: Love for Christ & His Church Profession: Doctors, Lawyers Ethnicity: Greek-American Love for Christ & His Church Profession: Web Developers Ethnicity: Much more diverse...global culture! Love for Christ & His Church Profession: Small Business Owners Ethnicity: Greek (often from same village) Our messages must be adapted to a new generation…without losing our roots. As society changes, so do the profiles of our parishes & our parishioners…

Solidly based in Orthodoxy Able to stand on its own Pertinent to each person in the room With intent to move an individual to action Our (OPD) aim is to present content to people with these changing profiles that is:

Office of Parish Development Our mission is to educate and assist our Greek Orthodox faithful of America in the areas of:Our mission is to educate and assist our Greek Orthodox faithful of America in the areas of: StewardshipStewardship Capital CampaignsCapital Campaigns Planned GivingPlanned Giving Grant Research/Proposal WritingGrant Research/Proposal Writing Strategic Planning/Vision DevelopmentStrategic Planning/Vision Development

We should not ask a parishioner to give if: (a)The price of gas is over $4 a gallon. (b)They are from Cephalonia (they don’t understand repression because the island was never under Ottoman rule). (c)They are rarely seen in the parish…either for worship or socially. (d)They are among the most hardworking volunteers for the church festival.

In Capital Campaigns, it is critical for parishes to: (a)Focus all efforts on the top 10% most financially capable parishioners because they will provide 90% of the goal. (b)Begin by looking for grants from private foundations. (c)Get as many parishioners to participate at whatever level they can. (d)Start the fundraising as soon as possible.

When we give to the church, we give because: (a)We have been asked personally. (b)We feel good. (c)We want to make sure things are done right. (d)We like the priest. (e)All of the above. (f)None of the above.

How do some of us perceive “Stewardship”? Is it the “raising of funds”?

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary Stewardship: "The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care"

The Lord provides us with clues about ourselves…

Stewardship Is … Submitting our will to God’s will in turning away from the desires (our passions) of the world in some small way.Submitting our will to God’s will in turning away from the desires (our passions) of the world in some small way. Our way of dealing responsibly with the things in our life that we think of as “ours.”Our way of dealing responsibly with the things in our life that we think of as “ours.” Giving back to God some small portion of all that He has given us to manage.Giving back to God some small portion of all that He has given us to manage.

Lets examine the gift of our finances: Specifically, how do we use our disposable income?

Opportunities to give… Me Others Ego Humility RecognitionNo Recognition ConditionalUnconditional :::::::::::: Buy something for me Buy a gift for someone Buy something for someone in a nursing home Stewardship Our Examples: Christ Saints Hierarchs, Clergy, Monastics

Stewardship A Real-Life example: 10,000+5,000-9,9992,000-4,9991,000-1, Yr $411,000 Yr $434,000 Yr $450,000 Yr $496,000 Individual Spiritual Renewal Parish Philanthropic Activity & Giving Youth (and other!) Ministry Activity

Stewardship Workshops First Steps: Identify 15 couples or individuals that can be invited to a special 3 hr session (approx. 30 attendees) Discuss how we can each be good stewards (in our own unique way), and the qualities thereof Ask some of them to consider talking with others personally about the church and its ministries Start re-building the “fiber” of the community through these committed Christians Share success stories (anonymously) Commit to this program on a yearly basis, and invite new individuals to expand this “web” (Can be done conjunction with your current program)

Different Gifts for Different Goals Different Gifts for Different Goals Source: Center of Philanthropy, Indiana University Parishioner (Donor) Give Towards Operating Expenses Annual Giving Source of Gift Current Income Planned Giving Endowment or Other Capital Needs Estate Capital Campaign Special, Significant Project, Building or Equipment Assets

Different Relationships, Different Communication Mail Events Letter & call Workshop/Visits Multiple visits Thoughtful personal contact, careful listening, planning Friend Donor Repeat Donor Increased Donor Special Donor Planned, Capital Donor Source: Center of Philanthropy, Indiana University Personal Contact

Capital Campaign Life Cycle Fundraising Phase 2 Public Phase Planning Study Early Project Planning Parish Agrees to Explore Project Announce Major Progress Fundraising Phase 1 Quiet Phase Parish Agrees Start Campaign Campaign Plan Communication with Parish Professional Assistance Position Analysis

Example Capital Campaign Gift Chart Participation is the most important goal. 90% of capital funds may come from 10% of families. Funds to be Raised: $2,000,000 Number Amount Subtotal Cumulative 1$200,000+$200,000$200, , ,000600, , ,0001,000, , ,0001,375, , ,0001,575, , ,0001,725,000 ManyUp to $5,000 $275,000$2,000,000

Capital Campaign First Steps: Conduct Planning Study (or Position Analysis)! Seek assistance from the Office of Parish Development – we will tell you what you need to hear; not what you want to hear.Seek assistance from the Office of Parish Development – we will tell you what you need to hear; not what you want to hear. Prepare a “Statement of Need”Prepare a “Statement of Need” Develop a detailed questionnaireDevelop a detailed questionnaire Identify potential donorsIdentify potential donors Use inclusive methodologyUse inclusive methodology Without soliciting directly, determine interest and gather inputWithout soliciting directly, determine interest and gather input Report back to the committeeReport back to the committee Timetable: 2-3 monthsTimetable: 2-3 months

Planned gifts can be our most extraordinary testimony of faith! Charitable trusts (lead, remainder, annuity) Wills Financial instruments (stocks, bonds, 401k) Life insurance benefit Estate property Other bequests

Establishing a Planned Giving Program Define goal to share with parishioners: What will the Endowment be used for? Ministry expansion? Establish policies to guide the receiving of gifts by will or other contract (life insurance, etc.) Determine who will bear responsibility for the endowment or other gifts’ use Collect names of reputable financial planners and local legal counsel who can assist parishioners Organize gifts committee Prepare promotional plan Establish office management procedures

We should not ask a parishioner to give if: (a)The price of gas is over $4 a gallon. (b)They are from Cephalonia (they don’t understand repression because the island was never under Ottoman rule). (c)They are rarely seen in the parish…either for worship or socially. (d)They are among the most hardworking volunteers for the church festival.

In Capital Campaigns, it is critical for parishes to: (a)Focus all efforts on the top 20% most financially capable parishioners because they will provide 80% of the goal. (b)Begin by looking for grants from private foundations. (c)Get as many parishioners to participate at whatever level they can. (d)Start the fundraising as soon as possible.

When we give to the church, we give because: (a)We have been asked personally. (b)We feel good. (c)We want to make sure things are done right. (d)We like the priest. (e)All of the above (f)None of the above.

We give back when we realize that all we have is a gift from Our Lord and Savior…

Contact information Office of Parish DevelopmentOffice of Parish Development Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of AmericaGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 3 S. Prospect Ave, Suite 113 S. Prospect Ave, Suite 11 Park Ridge, IL 60068Park Ridge, IL Jerry Minetos (fax)