Large-Scale Fundraising Events Resource Page
Bible Study
Acquisition Events Bible Study
Large Scale, Micro-Events, Signature Participation Projects
provide guests with an experience that deepens their understanding of what Scripture says about their role in God’s work. Additionally, this study could be used during a planning team meeting or table hosts training to prepare hearts and minds for the events.
STEP 1: Read through the following passage, with a focus on verses 35-36.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” -MATTHEW 23:31-46
STEP 2: After reading this passage, consider the following questions with the acquisition event in mind.
- What from this passage stands out to you as important, especially as it relates to acquisition events? What stands out from the key verses of 35-36?
- As a steward of God’s resources, how does this passage influence your view on the role you play in this event?
- An invitation to give is a calling to generosity, sacrifice, and joy. In what ways can this acquisition event help you and your guests experience generosity, sacrifice and joy.
STEP 3: Review the following statements derived from Randy Alcorn’s book, The Treasure Principle and consider each question in the context of an acquisition event and Matthew 25:31-46.
#1 God owns everything; I’m His money manager. (We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted–not given–to us). In what ways is God leading me, through the earlier passage of Scripture, to manage the funds raised through new giving?
#2 My heart always goes where I put God’s money. (Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things). How do you relate to this passage and principle? How do you think your champions relate to this passage and principle?
#3 Heaven—the New Earth, not the present one—is my home. (We are citizens of “a better country – a heavenly one”. Hebrews 11:16 says “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one…” In what ways would my response to this passage of Scripture reflect the value of my home being in heaven? How can an acquisition event be designed to help someone realize this truth?
#4 I should live today not for the dot, but for the line. (From the dot–our present life on earth–extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven). In what ways does the Hebrews 11:16 passage move me from the dot to the line?
#5 Giving is the only antidote to materialism. (Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones “me” and exalts “Him.”) How does the Matthew 25 passage impact the drift towards materialism, and how does participating with your ministry provide an opportunity to be an antidote for materialism?
#6 God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. (God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously). How does the cause of Jesus Christ shape the cause of my organization? How can the overarching cause of Jesus Christ be clearly articulated through acquisition events so that it influences guests’ standards of living and giving?
Workshop Materials
The Large-Scale Fundraising Events workshop includes a workbook to guide your learning. You can use the printed version provided by your AD or this digital version.
Click here to download a copy of the workbook PDF.
Organizational Examples
Springs of Hope Camp
Event’s Narrative Arc
Problem: Many urban youths today are dealing with so much that they don’t have the chance to hear the message of the gospel clearly, especially from the adults in their lives.
Solution(s): We offer a place away from distraction in their daily life, where they can encounter Jesus in an authentic way, in community with their peers, with support of caring counselors, all while having fun
Outcomes: More kids make decisions for Christ and are strengthened in their faith. Kids are equipped with age-appropriate spiritual formation that they take back into their daily lives. Finally, they’ve build relationships and bonds with their counselors which set the stage for conversation and life-change.
Invitation / Projected Event Goals: When you give tonight, you are providing scholarships to camp for our local urban youth, which will create opportunities for more kids to build healthy relationships and hear the gospel.
Possible Next Steps
Serving
- Write a letter of encouragement to a camper for each day of a camper’s experience
- Help prepare the grounds for arriving summer campers
Learning
- Read the camp blog to learn more about the power camp has in the lives of kids and adults
- Attend a volunteer training to learn about the unique challenges urban youth are facing today
Sharing
- Share our camp video on your social media
- Host a “Camp Supply Backpack” packing party
Praying
- Pray for a counselor during the week of camp
- Pray for a specific child during the week of camp
Giving
- Donate supplies for camp
- Become a monthly giving partner
Notes from a Recent Event
- Décor included tents, table were decorated with bright checkered table clothes, center pieces were miniature, flameless campfires
- Food included: elevated mess-hall meal served on cafeteria trays and s’mores
- Camp counselors were servers and shared stories of their experiences as they worked the room. They wore a bright colored shirt identifying them as a counselor.
- Two testimonial videos from past scholarship recipients sharing how camp changed their lives
- Opened and closed the event with camp-fire worship songs. Lyrics printed in program
- Table hosts lead an interactive camp competition between tables
Sent
Event’s Narrative Arc
Problem: Many trained missionaries are stopped from serving on the field due to the crushing debt obtained to pursue an occupation that would allow them into a closed country.
Solution(s): Provide debt repayment programs for approved missionaries
Outcomes: More missionaries are able to go, and stay, on the field which means that more people are being reached with the Good News, their lives and villages are being radically transformed.
Invitation / Projected Event Goals: When you give, it relieves missionaries of the burden of debt, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in their work proclaiming the gospel and bringing the Good News to unreached people groups.
Possible Next Steps
Serving
- Write letters of encouragement to a missionary
- Host a missionary for dinner while they are home on furlough
Learning
- Read a blog about the significant requirements placed on missionaries
- Attend a documentary screening to learn about an unreached people group
Sharing
- Share what you learned at the dinner what you learned with a friend
- Repost a social media message
- Host a “Fill a Heart” party with your friends
Praying
- Attend our monthly prayer zoom call
- Pick a missionary in our program and commit to praying for them weekly by name
Giving
- Make a gift to our debt-repayment pool
- Become a monthly partner and help cover a specific missionary’s debt
Notes from a Recent Event
- The dinner was held at an airplane hangar, emphasizing that missionaries are sent all over the world.
- Testimonials were from current/past missionaries.
- Keynote speaker was a woman who had heard the gospel through a missionary, describing how her life had been transformed as a result.
- In the entry way were interactive exhibit showing the various occupations missionaries use as a means to reach people with the Gospel. They shared examples of real-life conversations and prompted guests to consider how they could share their own faith stories in their jobs and lives.
- Behind the speakers on the stage is a world map, again emphasizing that this cause is indeed global.
- The event ended with a time of worship
Christ’s Heart for Kids Ministry
Event’s Narrative Arc
Problem: Kids in foster care often don’t have supplies when they arrive at a new home. They feel lost, scared, and uncertain.
Solution(s): Provide foster families with support items
Outcomes: Kids feel seen and cared for, foster parents are supported
Invitation / Projected Event Goals: When you give, it provides support items, mentoring and training for parents which makes for healthier foster families.
Possible Next Steps
Serving
- Volunteer at a Parent’s Night Out event
- Become a mentor
Learning
- Read our blog about the reality of the foster system.
- Attend a “Learn More about Mentoring” night
Sharing
- Share what you learned at the dinner what you learned with a friend
- Repost a social media message
- Host a “Fill a Heart” party with your friends
Praying
- Attend our monthly prayer zoom call
- Pick a family in our program and commit to praying for them weekly by name
Giving
- Donate a gift card for Parents Night Out event
- Become a monthly partner so that there are stable resources to budget against as we expand.
Notes from a Recent Event:
- The menu was an adult take on child-hood favorite foods.
- Testimonials were from current/past foster families.
- Keynote speaker was a former foster child.
- There were stations around the room that illustrated various elements of their programs.
- The guests took the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) inventory to better understand the kinds of trauma that children in foster care regularly face, and how preventing early trauma can improve long-term health.
Additional Large-Scale Fundraising Event Resources
Fundraising Dinner Operations Manual
A step-by-step guide to a fundraising event that will develop champions in your cause.
Next Steps
Upload A Tool
Your Area Director will review the work you’ve done on a particular tool and can provide helpful feedback that can be put into action.
Register for the Upcoming Webinar
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Schedule a Coaching Appointment
Reserve time to meet with your Area Director to discuss your Major Gifts Plan, or get additional coaching.
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Tell Us What You Need
This fall’s workshop is on Annual Fundraising Plans. Tell us what you’ve done, what’s working, and where you need help so we can design this upcoming workshop for you!