Quiz on Your View of Fundraising

By: Scott Armstrong

Much of our work in training and deploying missionaries in Mesoamerica Genesis or elsewhere has to do with raising resources. Every missionary around the world in some way must contact donors and prayer partners and invite them to support the ministry in a variety of ways. This responsibility (and privilege!) is often met with a wide range of reactions, from fear and skepticism (often) to confusion or even enthusiasm (seldom). Someone recently sent me the following “Quiz on your View of Fundraising,” and I believe it can help anyone involved in missions to understand unperceived biases with regards to raising money. Take the test – and be honest! How have your current perceptions affected your effectiveness in this area? How can you do better?

Fund-Raising View

We view fund-raising work

as a necessary evil     1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10     as developing

We view fund-raising work as somehow

less dignified than the direct program work we do   1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10     as dignified as all work we do

We view my donors as

potential revenue sources 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 as advocates

My first priority is

our financial needs 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 donor’s well-being in giving

Donor Relations View

What do our donors feel from us?

they feel loved 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 they feel used

Do we care enough to invite them to give?

YES 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 NO

How do our donors feel about us?

Happy to see us 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 uncomfortable

When was the last time we talked with a donor about their well-being?

in the past month 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 in the last year

Have we ever advised a donor to give to another organization instead of us?

YES 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 NO

Would we be willing to give up a big donation if the donation would not be in the donor’s best interests?

YES 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 NO

You can download the PDF file here: