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Getting to know the potential donor and their interest in the organization is key. Asking questions can help clarify misconceptions but also build common ground

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Sharing personal experiences in relation to faith that may resonate with them in some way. Also, finding common ground.

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Asking questions is a great way to be donor-centric because it helps you learn more about what they value and how they like to communicate. It also goes along with being curious. If you have a disagreement with someone, asking clarifying questions about their stance so that you can fully understand it. You can then provide your understanding of the topic in a non-defensive way. This can bridge gaps and take down barriers between people.

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Knowing the person is interested because their heart is connected to the mission or the vision is the foundation of everything that will come out of the partnership.

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Amos 3:3 says, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" When approaching donors from so many walks of life and backgrounds, expressing genuine interest in the vision and values that God has given them invites them to view you as a team player. Without common ground, someone will donate out of pity or pressure, not true partnership.

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Before entering the conversation, I think preparation and prayer could be useful tools to step in well. While maintaining an excitement to ask, brainstorming all of the things you know about the partner could be useful. When you finally enter into the conversation, you will have a stronger base for connection.

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I can apply these principles by making sure I know the basics about someone really well before asking them – and taking an interest in their perspective on giving, thinking of a meeting with a donor as a time to learn not just a time to teach and ask.

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Doing the background work to attempt to build an understanding of where a potetional donor comes from allows me to share more effecitvely, building connection!

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Thinking about a story that might speak into what my donors value or are familiar with, inviting them to share in the storytelling and experience-sharing!

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Each prospective partner I may approach or speak with are each a unique creation of God. I think it is important that I go into these meetings and new relationships without any preconceived ideas about someone. I may be familiar with them, but I also know it is my job to really get to know these people. To really understand their motivations and investment in the ministry, I need to get to know them better. This is where the three questions play an important role: How well do I know this person? What are their values? What is their background, vocation/job? From there I can begin to learn more about why they have interest, and maybe what some of their hopes of what could happen when they get involved.

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Asking lots of questions helps to be curious but also can allow for clarification. Be slow to speak and quick to listen.  

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Asking lots of questions helps to be curious but also can allow for clarification. Be slow to speak and quick to listen.  

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Approaching donors ready to ask good questions can deepen a relationship a lot, in addition to also being ready for questions. These questions will help you learn about your donor from the best source... them. Deeper questions can help them really think about new things and show you care!

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When talking to partners, it will be important to identify the common ground of the mission of the kingdom of God, but each person's understanding of the gospel and kingdom work may differ depending on their context/background.

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When talking to partners, it will be important to identify the common ground of the mission of the kingdom of God, but each person's understanding of the gospel and kingdom work may differ depending on their context/background.

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I think it is important to consider how to speak the person’s language as I interact with them, and that is something that I would like to apply and improve on. I think it shows that I genuinely care for and respect them for who they are. And that it helps me to ensure that they feel seen and understood. it’s a way to build the connection/trust between me and that person.

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Being curious about your potential partners and asking them questions is a good way to work towards a deepened relationship. If you're not willing to get to know them as a person, they're going to be much less likely to want to be invested in what God could be doing through you.

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I think it's important to bear in mind that your potential ministry partners are whole people with a variety of different factors at play in the way that they react to things, including asks. Don't say no for someone! Their response might be something that you never would have expected of them, leading to a new, broader understanding of who they are and a helpful way to approach future asks

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I think always reminding myself that all of this is bigger than myself. That how I am feeling is irrelevant, that we are both focusing on God's plan and I am trying to work with them. So putting aside my own understandings for just a little bit and working to understand their's in order to put them both to use for God.

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I think something that is really important about these donor-centric relationships is recognizing that its not just us talking to them about our goals but also listening to the things that they have to say for us including any encouragement or concerns they may have.

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I want to approach potential partners with curiosity about what they are excited about seeing God do, or ways that they are already working in God's kingdom. By doing this I can also get the joy of hearing what they see God doing and where we might align.

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I think the idea of having a posture of curiosity with a donor is very helpful. Being genuinely interested in what they are interested in and how they want to get involved is so important. It takes some of the pressure off yourself and allows you to have an open dialogue with the possible donor.

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When relating with a potential donor, we must ask ourselves what's important to them/what they value. We must be aware of what makes them who they are, so we can connect and find common ground in areas that are important to them as much as possible. We must stay humble and curious during that process.

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I believe noticing the details of what a donor values, what brings them joy and what feels meaningful is an important step to drawing out the beauty of what God is doing in our work in a particular way that resonates with them. For example, if I am speaking to someone who has experience teaching or coaching, I might focus on the mentorship aspect of the position and connect it with their values of investment in young people.

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Remembering that this is bigger than my own personal beliefs and assumptions, that we're doing this for the Kingdom of God. This helps me to take a step back and have an openness to whoever it is I'm meeting with.

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When I approach a partner with openness, without making assumptions about their beliefs or future actions based on previous experiences, I offer them the opportunity to share how they may have grown since our last interactions, or to better explain why they hold their particular convictions.

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I think being open and curious also shows our humbleness. It is important for us to learn about people, about where they are in their journey of faith, and also understand their gift and understanding of God’s kingdom, through learning from them, we can break the barriers of communication, minister to them and encourage them to join our mission work, without judging them with our own assumptions. I want to see my partners as co-workers in the kingdom work, and we are going to observe God’s mightiness together.

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I think it could be helpful to take a few minutes before meeting with someone to reflect on what my expectations are for the conversation and whether there are ways I might be making assumptions about them. If I'm aware of my assumptions, I know to be extra intentional about staying open and curious.

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Curiosity and asking questions about a person can help them feel seen, known, and loved. This is a vital part of our relationships with our potential partners because it assures them that we want a two way relationship, not just a one way transactional relationship

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I think it can be helpful to think about the donor's background and what they value. Maybe they value community, bible study, or evantelism. By identifying this, I can highlight how partnering with what God is doing through InterVarsity can help that thing come to life on college campuses.

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These principles allow me to be open to ministry partners' faith experience, their story, and heart for ministry, not just to share what I bring/my ministry.

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I could ask them questions about things like their vocation, their church, and their community, which will likely illustrate some of the things that they personally value in their lives.

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I could apply these principles by showing the potential donor honor and respect in the form it takes in their particular context.

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I'd familiarize myself with their denomination in advance to see where we have common ground. It would also be good to know where the differences are, and keep "the main thing the main thing" (the essentials of the faith).

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Remember that their relationship with money rather than their perspective of me will probably play a larger role in their decision to give/how much

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If someone practices a different denomination than me, how can I find ways to connect our love of Christ in our conversation to bridge denominational gaps?

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Remind myself that just because someone is wealthy, doesn't mean that they don't give generously.