July 15, 2008
Dear Friends,
Last night Brittany and I cooked up our very first banana pepper from our garden. As I plucked the lone pepper from the small plant that has seen more than its fair share of rabbits, I very gladly noted that grain offerings (Leviticus 2) are no longer in vogue. In that moment, I really did not want to give away our little pepper, the first fruit of our garden. So. What first fruits does God want from me? Will I give my best and first? I think what God wants goes beyond my little pepper to my heart, soul, and mind. For the past year, you have made it possible for me work at Word Made Flesh as a part of my journey towards giving myself to Jesus. You have given because you believe in the work of Word Made Flesh and you believe in me. You have joined me, and together we are pouring out our lives for each other and for the poor, people God loves. You have gifted me your love, encouragement, time, and money.
Thank you.
After a full year of raising support, I would like to share with you the results of your financial generosity. Below I have listed both my financial need for next year and a breakdown of the support I received last year. I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I write to you. You will notice a couple things as you look at the numbers below. On average, I have received more than enough to cover my expenses each month, which means I have a small cushion in my support account to pay my salary in the months I receive less than I need. You will also see that about 25% of my support comes from consistent, one time donors. I hope to increase that percentage this year. Please consider committing to support me monthly. I have enclosed a form that you can fill out and have your gift taken from your account automatically. I am also so appreciative of those of you who give so generously when you are able to make a one-time contribution.
Financial support needed per month July 2008 – June 2009:
Salary: $1350.00
Taxes: $321.00
Staff Retreat & other development: $100.00
Total: $1771.00 per month
Or $21,252.00 per year
Average support received per month July 2007 – June 2008:
Monthly Donors: $495.90
Church Donor: $261.00
One Time Donors: $1237.15
Total: $1994.0518 on average per month
On the backside of this letter I have printed the principals of Word Made Flesh fundraising. This list enumerates what you can expect of me and the organization that I work for in the area of raising support. I would like to highlight the second point listed there:
We commit to deeply valuing each "friend of WMF" whether you are a donor or not. We invite you to take ownership in what we are about in the world because we believe that God is at work.
To each friend of mine: thank you for walking with me in all sorts of creative ways. Your love is life-giving to me.
With Love and Gratitude,
Marcia M. Ghali
Principles of WMF Fundraising
1. WMF rejects traditional and aggressive fund-raising techniques that often dehumanize potential donors. We refuse to objectify you by seeing you only for what you can give. Rather, we desire to humanize each of you as friends and partners in mission.
2. We commit to deeply valuing each "friend of WMF" whether you are a donor or not. We invite you to take ownership in what we are about in the world because we believe that God is at work.
3. We commit to growing in our relationship with those who support our community. By "supporters," we mean those who are on this journey with us. Support can come through financial gifts, prayers and even solidarity with our cause. We will not position ourselves in such a way that a gift or funding creates leverage that humiliates, rather than humanizes, one another. We want to receive gifts that renew and embolden and inspire, because that's how God intends our giving to be. We desire to serve Christ among the poor with those of you who support WMF.
4. We believe in WMF and what we're doing and will freely ask for your participation in God's work among the poor. We will not feel guilty about making the ministry's needs known, because we believe we are simply doing God's will in response to His call. Likewise, we don't want your giving to be guilt-induced. Giving should be joyous. As we fulfill God's call together with you, both the giving and receiving should be a guilt-free transaction.
5. As we freely ask when there is need, we also commit to not ask unless we have a real need. We commit to integrity in that we will not fill the storehouses and let the grain of God's provision rot.
6. We won't hassle you with long, over-formatted letters or fill your mailbox with appeal after appeal.
7. We will continue to embrace gratitude as our posture and celebrate it. We want each of you to know that in our gratitude, we will handle every gift you send with humility and integrity. We do this recognizing that every gift creates an opportunity for a grateful exchange with the giver.
Taken from and influenced by:
"Submission and Support," Chris Heuertz; The Cry (Winter 2005: Vol. 11, No. 4)
http://www.wordmadeflesh.com/support/submission-support.html
Spirituality of Fundraising, Henri Nouwen, http://www.henrinouwen.org/home/booklet/