Increased Giving in Difficult Financial Times: Increased Giving in Difficult Financial Times: How to Get The Most Out of The Tools You Have Deneen Morelli, Regional Stewardship Consultant Heidi Janis, Regional Stewardship Consultant Neil Orchard, Rivertree Stewardship Services

AmericanChurch Provider of Products and Services to: Enhance Giving Improve Communications with Members Foster Vibrant Church Community

Who We Serve Over 17, 000 Churches National Reach Dozens of Denominations Church attendance from 50 to over 15,000 Non-profit organizations

Agenda Current economic giving trends Steps to Optimizing Giving Employing your Tools

Economic Giving Trends

Generational Differences World War II generation - Loyal - If church says give, they give Baby Boomers - Not as trusting; will investigate - Hold institutions accountable Gen Xers - No confidence in anything they can’t see, hear and touch - Hold small, local groups in high regard rather than big institutions

Our Church Members

State of the Plate 30% of churches surveyed said year-end giving missed their expectations. 32% of churches surveyed have cut their 2010 budget by as much as 20%. More churches plan to preach and teach on finances and generosity in a variety of ways. More churches say they’re seeking outside resources to help with church finances, giving and generosity.

Steps to Optimize Giving

Competition for Dollars Every year the number of nonprofit organizations in America grows anywhere from 5% to 7%. Churches are competing with nonprofits for dollars of members Not My Parents Offering Plate, J. Clif Christopher

stewardship services

Why do you take an offering?

Your perception cf with the perception in the pew. Giving is often understood as a “loss” Change one word and change the focus. Invest instead of Give.

Factoids less than 6% of “born again Christians” tithe 1921 giving was 2.9% of income 1933 giving was 3.3% of income <2.0 of income given in 2001

Why People Give (Invest) Revealing our CORE VALUES C ompassion C ommunity C hallenge C ommitment 4-C’s thanks to Kennon Callahan

Vision or? We prefer the word “VOW” Instead of asking “What is our vision” ask, “What vows will our church take to make and grow disciples for Christ?”

Vision and Mission Try using the word vow Vow: The Why Why we do what we do Mission: The How How we perform our vows or fulfill our vision Our Vows and Mission must be clear if our stewardship message is to be accepted.

Is your Mission statement. Is a better interpreter of the church than your mission statement. Your church budget

Connecting the dots - ownership and participation What is Linear Giving  ? IT IS... Connecting the offering plate directly to the vows and mission of the church. Where it goes What it does

Connecting the dots - ownership and participation Connecting the offering plate directly to the vows and mission of the church. Investing rather than giving. Investing with eternity in view. Ultimate fulfillment through motivated investing. What is Linear Giving? IT IS...

Why do Members Give? 1.They believe in the mission of the organization 2.They have a high regard for leadership of the organization 3.They believe the organization is fiscally responsible Not My Parents Offering Plate, J. Clif Christopher (pg 13)

Set Goals Annually Understand what we are trying to accomplish at our Church and what funding is needed … Maximize income for growth Meet budgeting needs for operations Achieve a giving participation level (%) from members Provide options to share all gifts Improve community vibrancy

Set a Strategy … A conscious plan for how we represent and deploy tools for giving, and how the tools relate to each other… Understand church member demographics Languages and preferences Clarify purpose and impact of envelopes Clarify purpose and impact of online giving Plan the use of other communications Bulletins Newsletters

Employing your Tools

Online Giving Offering Envelopes Newsletters (Inform!) Address Data Management Targeted Mailings Bulletins Website Use All of Your Tools

OfferingEnvelopes Offering Envelopes Encourage consistent giving Reinforce your Message Educate your membership

Offering Envelope Planning What is your plan for using envelopes to achieve operating income requirements? How is this communicated to members and how often? Does the church use envelopes to record attendance? Has the church considered the value of the mailed envelope packet as a giving reminder? As a vehicle for communication and education?

Why Use Newsletters? 20% increase in giving 22% increase in volunteerism 17% increase in spiritual time 19% increase in outreach Financial transparency results in – 29% increase in Giving Zech: Best Practices in Stewardship

Best Practices for Churches Best Practices for Churches Based on multidenominational studies by Charles Zech, Villanova University Report Church Financial Information to Members Build Community through Engaging Church Members Give Members a Role in the Decision Making and Planning Create roles for “Ministers” more than “Volunteers” Institute Pledging Communicate to Members Through Multiple Channels Special Cultural or Language Needs of Members

Summary Set Annual Goals Determine Your Strategy Evaluate your current practices Use All of Your Tools – AmericanChurch can help

Thank You! AmericanChurch Stewardship Solutions- Deneen Morelli ext Heidi Janis ext Rivertree Stewardship Services (Linear Giving) Neil Orchard