Okay, so number one: we’ve raised $7,430 in three months!
Pretty sure that’s the definition of, “I can’t even.”
Fundraising can feel like a lot of things. Some days I check my World Race account and it’s all dance moves and sock sliding across the apartment. I call my mom, full of excitement, and text my Roommates amazed at the way God provides when He calls us into something bigger than ourselves. Other days when the number hasn’t changed much and it seems like there’s still so much further to go, I wonder how we’re ever going to raise over $16,000. Like, WHATTHEWHAT, that’s a huge number.
Fundraising can feel daunting.
Looking at a number like $16,500+ is daunting. Especially when you know there’s no way, even if you were to pinch every penny out of your own paycheck, that you could cover that amount on your own. Some days it feels like you might never get there, and then a college student in a puffy vest gives you $25 and you want to cry, because you know twenty five dollars to a college student is equivalent to lottery winnings. It’s then you remember God is leading and you are following, and this time He’s totally leaving a paper trail.
Fundraising is vulnerable.
Asking someone for financial support is tough and uncomfortable at first, especially when you are asking for you, and not on behalf of an organization. When we fundraise, we’re saying to the world, “Hey, here is this thing, this idea or mission or person, that I really believe in and know I need to be a part of. Do you believe it’s important, too? Do you want to be a part of it, too?” Opening up like this is scary, “Because what if they say no? What if I fail?” It’s easy to let thoughts like these sneak in and get you down, but don’t let them. Fight those lies hard. Because people do want to join in, people do want to be a part of the things God is calling you to.
Fundraising is an invitation.
I used to feel fundraising for something like the World Race could be seen as selfish. Who am I to ask others to give up their hard earned dollars for me? But a friend, and also financial supporter, shared some wise words with me a few months back and my perspective has shifted. Fundraising is an invitation.
Fundraising for the World Race is an invitation for others to become an important part of the story God is writing in your life. It’s an invitation to join in what God is already doing around the world in the lives of others. It’s an invitation to link arms and say, “I believe in you. I believe in what God is doing here, and I want to be a part of it. I want to invest in this, and I want to invest in you.” And for the people who are already investing in your life, it’s an incredible chance for them to continue.
Oh, and let me just tell you when someone says yes to the invitation, yes to joining in the story, you’ll wish you had seven fists to pump instead of just two. It’s amazing! Amazing, humbling, beautiful, and I think an ideal picture of how we should live life with each other — arms linked in shouts of, “I’m with you!”
Fundraising creates a tribe.
I love teamwork. Like, a whole boat ton. I love the magic that happens when people of different abilities, skills, and personalities come together making something possible that couldn’t be accomplished solo. Fundraising creates a team, a community, a tribe. It brings together a group of people who have said “We’re in.” You now have a team you can lean on for encouragement and share the ups and downs of support raising with. You know all the awesome, exciting, and hard stuff God is doing and about to do? Now you’ve got a whole tribe of people who want to experience it with you. How neat is that? That’s pretty neat.
I’ve found these tribes tend to be composed of a weirdly-great mix of people, too. My Tribe is a conglomerate of family, old friends, new friends, coworkers, high school teachers, students, pastors, churches, semi-strangers, and people I’ve never even met! The tribes that form as a result of fundraising are so special. Build your tribe and love them well.
Fundraising creates accountability.
Every donation is a gift. Every donation represents a person, a family, a church, a group or organization that believes in you and wants to be a part of your journey. These people should never be considered a means to your end — they are as much a part of your ministry, dream, idea, or vision, as those you hope to impact. As much as you need to be a good steward of the finances you’ve been entrusted with, you need to be an even better steward of the people who are entrusting them to you. Loving people doesn’t start when we get where we want to go, it starts right here with the people Jesus has gifted us in this moment.
I think about those of you who have already partnered with me financially on this World Race journey, and I hope you never feel taken for granted. I am so appreciative of your generosity, support, and the excitement you’ve expressed to be a part of this story with me! Having you along for the ride makes the adventure so much sweeter.
Trying to do it alone is lame.
Whether it’s $500, $5,000, or $15,000+, it’s just pretty lame to try and make it happen on our own. Even Jesus had a tribe. A group of 12 guys He invited to share in His life, story, and mission. They shared experiences, resources, encouragement, and breakfast — because breakfast is the best. These 12 men invested in Jesus, and Jesus invested in them. They traveled incredibly happy and incredibly hard roads together.
I think fundraising for the things that God lays on our hearts is about doing the same – inviting each other in, joining each other’s stories, inspiring each other, walking roads together, and bringing Kingdom to earth in a way that can’t be done alone.
