A Spirituality of Fundraising: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series

If you're dreading fund raising, read this book!

Henri Nouwen's A SPIRITUALITY OF FUNDRAISING is a book I need to read again every year in order to keep my bearings. My own battle with fundraising has seen some success and some notable failure. I was raised to believe that a decent person never asked anyone for money. Nouwen's little book turns that idea upside down. Or, better said, rightside up. For Nouwen, asking people to become generous and even sacrificial stewards is offering those people the gift of conversion. He means this in the deepest, process-oriented, open sense of the word. Seen this way, it is a service rendered. Ministry extended. I need this. Nouwen starts strong: 'Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission. Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. When we seek to raise funds we are not saying, "Please, could you help us out because lately it's been hard." Rather, we are declaring, "We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you—your energy, your prayers, and your money—in this work to which God has called us." Our invitation is clear and confident because we trust that our vision and mission are like "trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither" (Ps. 1:3).' A winsome, God-fueled lightness of spirit pervades Nouwen's reflection on fundraising, a light-heartedness that is seldom evidenced on the subject. We are freed, in the best rather than the self-serving sense of the phrase, to be free as we seek funding. Indeed, Nouwen writes about such in connection with our ultimate security: 'If our security is totally in God, then we are free to ask for money. Only when we are free from money can we ask freely for others to give it. This is the conversion to which fundraising as ministry call us.' So it is not only the person receiving our request, but we ourselves who encounter the opportunity of conversion as we go about this work. I have grown weary of fundraising *technique*. My soul longs for a gospel-grounded understanding of this otherwise distasteful task. Nouwen provides it in A SPIRITUALITY OF FUNDRAISING, this reviewer's annual reading on the topic.

Very good and quick read.

enjoyed the content, book itself is very short

This is a great little book about fundraising. If you want to raise money for your ministry, this is a good place to start. The book is not very long but it is packed full of nuggets that explore the philosophy of fundraising for the Christian believer. Here are some of the quotes that caught my attention: "Generosity begets generosity." “We may think of fundraising as a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things...or a failure to plan well…or to trust enough that God will provide for all our needs.” “Fundraising is…a form of ministry.” “[Fundraising] is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.” “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging.” “Fundraising is …always a call to conversion.” “I ask for money standing up, not bowing down, because I believe in what I am about.” “Fundraising is a very concrete way to help the kingdom of God come about.” “Many rich people are very lonely. Many struggle with a sense of being used. Others suffer from feelings of rejection or depression. It may seem strange to say, but the rich need a lot of attention and care.” “If our security is totally in God, then we are free to ask for money.” “Asking people for money is giving them the opportunity to put their resources at the disposal of the kingdom.” “When we ask people for money to strengthen or expand the work of the kingdom, we are also inviting them into a new spiritual communion.” “Fundraising as ministry is grounded in prayer and undertaken in gratitude.” “Fundraising is a very rich and beautiful activity. It is a confident, joyful, and hope-filled expression of ministry.” Another great book on Fundraising is: How to Raise Money for Your Ministry (The Ultimate Ministry Toolbox Series) (Volume 3)

Highly recommend for someone looking for meaning and purpose in fundraising and connecting to faith and spirituality

This book can completely transform your view of fundraising. It has really encouraged and helped me to remember that when I offer someone the opportunity to support a cause I believe in; then I am also giving them the opportunity to be truly blessed because we are blessed when we give. This is the paradigm shift that I needed. I always love Nouwen’s works.

Dr Nouwen has done a great job training and guiding fundraisers in the pastoral aspect of this ministry, giving many short pointers. Thankful for this work being published!

this book is very inspiring and give new understanding of Fundraising as ministries that means becoming the dignified way of sharing our vision and mission with the people and inviting them to participate in making present the Kingdom of God and building the community of love. This constitutes paradigm shift and perspective. I recommend to those who involve themselves in Fundraising activities. Laurentius Tarpin

Very timely

This book is legendary for anyone who needs a refreshed way to think about money. Whether it’s negotiating your salary at work, doing sales, or fundraising for your kids soccer team, the heart posture that Henri helps you discover is so freeing as it comes to money.

Simple yet profound, handy size and important topic.

Presenting fundraising as a way to advance spiritual community, for the giver, receiver and beyond, is an unprecedented insight for which I am truly grateful.