You recently became the head of fundraising at your local Catholic Church. Congratulations! You’ve been tasked with securing donations, a daunting job. After some research you discovered that there is a church down the road who raised 4 times as much as you did last year, and you’re trying to figure out why. You’ve heard about someone writing a letter to that church and asking for money, but you have no idea how to do it. This guide is for you.
If you’ve found this page, then chances are you’re writing a letter to a church asking for money. Unfortunately, I can’t help you write that letter. But what I can do is show you how to write a letter,
Businesses are always looking for ways to attract new customers. One good way is to contact local churches and ask them if they’d be willing to help raise money for a business. You’ll need to write a letter to a church that asks it for money, but it’s not as hard as you might think. Since churches are usually in constant need of funding, this is one option that may work well.
One thing that you will have to learn (hopefully sooner than later) is that it takes hard work and time to make money. You can’t simply sit back and quickly rake in the dough. It’s not going to happen overnight. This holds true for anything, but for churches, it is especially true. You won’t be given an online business to oversee that generates thousands of dollars a day.
Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on how to ask church members for money, simple donation letter sample, free sample church donation letters, and so much more. Take out time to visit our Website for more information on similar topics.
How To Write A Letter To A Church Asking For Money
Dear [church name],
I am writing to you on behalf of [non-profit name]. I am writing this letter to request a donation from your church.
As many of you may be aware, [non-profit name] is a non-profit organization that provides meals to the homeless in our community. We have been serving the homeless for over five years now, and we are always looking for new ways to expand our services so that we can help more people get off the streets and into stable living situations.
That’s why we are asking for your donation this year. We’re hoping that you will consider giving what you can so that we can continue providing these meals to those who need them most!
If you would like more information about our organization or how you can contribute, please feel free to visit our website at [website address].
Dear Church,
I’m writing this letter to ask for help with my family’s financial problems. I’ve been a member of your church for more than 10 years, and I’ve always been proud to be part of a community that believes in helping those in need.
My husband and I recently lost our jobs and we are struggling to make ends meet. We have two young children who depend on us and have no idea what is going on. We are trying our best but the stress is taking an emotional toll on us as well as our relationship with each other. The worry about how we will feed them or pay rent is overwhelming us at times.
We have been praying for guidance and direction from God but it seems like nothing has changed since we lost our jobs 3 months ago. We feel like we’re going nowhere fast and don’t know what else to do except ask for help from people who care about us like you do here at church.
Please consider donating towards our family’s needs so that we can move forward without having to worry about getting evicted or running out of food because we don’t have enough money coming in anymore due to losing both jobs at once after working so hard every day for years before this happened.
Introduction
Asking a church for money can be difficult and uncomfortable, but there are right and wrong ways to go about it. The best way is to make your request personal, directly asking for help. Follow up by describing how much you need and why, as well as how the donor can help you get it. Finally, offer something in return—like a presentation on your project at the next meeting—and thank them for considering your request.
Introduce yourself and describe your need.
Dear [church name],
I am [your name], and I have a need for money. My son is sick and needs to go to the doctor, but we cannot afford it. We were in another church’s food pantry last week, and they suggested that I write this letter.
I know that most churches will not give money directly to you or your family—they want you to use the money wisely and help others as well. That is why I am asking for your assistance through our local food pantry at First Presbyterian Church of [city]. They have been very generous with their time and resources over the past few years; by working together we can all make an impact on hunger in our community!
Explain why they should give you the money.
You should explain why you are requesting this money. It’s important to show them how their donation will be used and what the project is going to benefit. For example:
- Your project will benefit the church by providing a space for community members to gather and worship together. This is good because it brings people closer to God, who loves them all equally (1 John 4*).
- The project will also benefit the community by providing an open place where anyone can come together and talk about their problems in life if they feel like nobody understands them (Ephesians 4:11-16).
- Finally, your project will benefit the world because it will help make America great again!
Provide a way for them to donate.
- Include a link to your donation page. This should be the most obvious and straightforward option, but it’s still worth mentioning.
- Include links to your PayPal account or credit card payment form. If you want people to donate directly from their bank accounts, this is the best way to do it—and it’s also nice because it lets donors know that their money is going straight toward helping you raise funds for your cause (rather than funneling through some other organization).
- Include links to church donation forms or websites that make donating easy for church members who may not have PayPal accounts or credit cards handy at the moment. The website I use for donations has an option where people can donate using cash! So if someone wants to give me money in person, they can just bring some cash with them and donate without having any prior payment information on file anywhere (I’m sure there are other churches out there who offer similar services). If someone doesn’t have access either a computer nor a phone number connected with their bank account yet but still wants help me achieve my goal of raising $1 million dollars for charity work in Uganda then using one of these methods might be perfect for them too!
Ask for volunteers to help you with a project.
If you’re asking for volunteers, thank them in advance. Make it clear that you are grateful they are considering your request and that they will receive a thank-you note if they choose to help.
Also, be specific about the type of donation or volunteer work you need. If it’s money, ask how much they would like to give (or contribute) each month or year. If it’s in-kind donations such as food or clothing, specify what kind and how much of each item is needed.
Offer to give a presentation on your project at their next meeting.
- Offer to give a presentation on your project at their next meeting.
- Let them know what you’ll be talking about, and when the presentation will take place. Be sure to mention the address of the church so that people can come if they’re interested. You should also let them know who will be giving this presentation (you!).
Be sure to thank them for considering your request.
Thank the church for considering your request. Thank them for taking the time to read your letter and consider your needs. Be grateful they are helping, even if it’s just a small donation or advice.
It’s really important to thank people who help you even if they say no.
It’s really important to thank people who help you even if they say no.
Thanking people who help you is a small thing, but it goes a long way.
You can use an email or a handwritten card and mail it to their home address or business address. If possible, send a note after the meeting takes place as well so that they know you’re thankful for them taking time out of their busy day just to meet with you!
How to ask church members for money
Some congregations are so close-lipped when discussing money and giving that members might think the Christian faith requires silence on the subject. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus talked about money more than any subject other than the kingdom of God. And how we live in relation to money and possessions is a deeply spiritual matter at the heart of Christian discipleship. Christians can and should talk about money!One of a spiritual leader’s most important roles is helping others see money and giving through the lens of faith. Effective pastors and church leaders learn to speak about money more frequently, frankly, and faithfully.
Why, then, is money such a taboo subject? In American culture, no subject is more private than income and finances because money defines our power and worth and no one wants to be disclosed as lacking either. Unfortunately, this cultural attitude has seeped into the church creating a conspiracy of silence. Clergy and other leaders don’t feel comfortable talking about money, and that’s just fine with church members because they don’t want to hear about it.
How can churches begin to pierce this veil of secrecy and move toward greater transparency and accountability regarding money and finances? Adhering to the following practices can improve your conversations about giving and stewardship.
1. Don’t limit money talk to stewardship season.
Because of our cultural aversion to talking about money, many pastors avoid preaching on the subject except on that ONE Sunday when they hold their nose and steel themselves to deliver THE dreaded annual stewardship sermon. Talking about money only when we need to ask for it is self-defeating. Congregants learn to tune out this sermon because they perceive it for what it is — a fundraising pitch. Preachers should strive to integrate stewardship themes into their preaching throughout the year — not just when the stated subject is money, but when the subjects of generosity and living in right relationship with money and possessions relate to other spiritual messages.
2. Address people’s financial reality not just the church’s needs.
When the subject of money does come up, it typically centers around the congregation’s financial needs and concerns. Rarely do churches address the financial reality of members, who may be burdened with student or consumer debt, struggling with medical expenses, or inadequately prepared for retirement. A ministry of financial literacy can spur a larger conversation about faith and finances while also providing much-needed pastoral care and financial guidance to members.
3. Focus on the spiritual significance of money.
Why does money talk in churches center so often around budgets, bills, and balance sheets? Doesn’t our faith teach that money is an instrument of God’s mission? We’re stuck in what sociologists Christian Smith and Michael Emerson call a “pay the bills” mentality as opposed to a “live the vision” mindset. Lovett Weems suggests two simple principles that can move a church in the right direction. Never talk about people’s money apart from their discipleship and never talk about the church’s money apart from its mission.
4. Share stories.
Inviting people to speak from the heart about their personal history with money and giving can begin to pierce the veil of secrecy around money. This sharing should be done in thoughtful and appropriate ways, of course. But testimonies can be offered in worship, small groups, and even online. Pastors and other key leaders can model the way by sharing their own stories around personal stewardship and generosity.
5. Lead with generosity, rather than stewardship.
Church conversations around money and giving often rely heavily on the vocabulary of stewardship and tithing. Stewardship and tithing are, of course, important theological concepts; unfortunately, fewer and fewer people today grasp the deeper meaning of these terms. They are often heard merely as euphemisms for fundraising or finger-wagging legalisms. The vocabulary of gratitude and generosity can be a more gracious and inviting way to begin the conversation and one that is equally faithful and biblical. I’m not suggesting we abandon the concepts of stewardship and tithing. But our faith tells a wonderful, hopeful, inspiring story of a generous God who calls us to be generous. This is simple, relatable language to start talking about what God has given us and the importance of giving back in return.
6. Stay positive.
How many times have you heard messages like these? “If we can’t close our budget gap, we may need to fire the organist and suspend children’s Sunday school.” Or “This church is only two years from closing if everyone doesn’t ante up.” This approach is not only depressing, it’s self-defeating. Trying to motivate giving through scare tactics signals that your ministry is struggling, and few people are motivated to invest in something that’s spiraling downward. Appeals to guilt or obligation motivate few, if any, people, so it’s important to keep a positive tone. Our faith is one of abundance, not scarcity. It teaches that giving is a joy not an obligation. We need to lean into these narratives.
7. Say thank you.
Some churches are quite persistent in asking for money but neglect two other interrelated forms of communication — thanking people and telling the story of what giving makes possible. Talking about money in a more balanced way involves an ongoing cycle of communication that always begins with thanking people for what they have already done. Gratitude and generosity are two sides of the same coin. Developing the instinct to begin always with “thank you” can significantly improve the tone of your conversations around money and reinforce generosity, as well.
One of a spiritual leader’s most important roles is helping others see money and giving through the lens of faith. Effective pastors and church leaders learn to speak about money more frequently, frankly, and faithfully.
Conclusion
If you are looking for financial help from a church, the best thing to do is ask. Don’t be afraid because there are many churches out there who want to help. If you need money for something that’s important, just make sure you know what your budget will be and then write out a plan on how much each person can give. You never know–they may even have some extra funds available or be willing to donate their time as well! Keep up the good work!
