Ep. 87 | The 3 Excuses Keeping Ministry Leaders Stuck in Fundraising

Have you ever felt stuck in fundraising?

Not for a week or two. Not because you’re in the middle of a particularly busy season. I mean stuck for months. Maybe even years.

You know your fundraising could be stronger. You know your communication with donors could improve. You know there are things you could work on that would probably help.

But somehow, it never quite makes it to the top of the list.

I think most ministry leaders don’t stay stuck because they don’t care. They stay stuck because they’ve believed a few excuses for so long that those excuses start to feel like facts.

I’ve done this myself.

I’ve told myself I didn’t have time. I’ve told myself something wouldn’t work for me. I’ve told myself I’d get to it later after I got a few other things figured out first.

The problem is that those excuses feel reasonable. That’s what makes them so dangerous.'

Excuse #1: I Don’t Have Time

If you’re a ministry leader, you probably laughed a little when you read that.

Of course you don’t have time.

You have people to lead, programs to run, events to plan, emails to answer, supporters to update, and maybe a family at home that needs you too. Some of you are working another job on top of ministry.

The schedule is full.

The challenge is that many of us are waiting for a future season when life will finally slow down enough for us to focus on fundraising.

Have you noticed that season never seems to arrive?

There’s always another project. Another event. Another crisis. Another busy season.

At some point, we have to stop asking, “When will I have time?” and start asking, “What’s it costing me to wait?”

If your fundraising message isn’t clear, that lack of clarity may already be costing you support. Donors may care deeply about your ministry and still struggle to understand exactly what you’re inviting them into.

A strong fundraising message requires some work up front, but once it’s done, everything gets easier.

You stop staring at a blank screen trying to write newsletters.

You stop overthinking donor conversations.

You stop reinventing your message every time you need to communicate.

Clarity creates momentum.

Excuse #2: It Won’t Work for Me

This excuse usually shows up wearing a disguise.

It sounds like, “My situation is different.”

Or, “My ministry is unique.”

Or, “That might work for other people, but my circumstances are more complicated.”

Sometimes there are genuine differences. Every ministry has its own challenges.

But I’ve noticed something interesting.

Many times what sounds like logic is actually fear.

Fear of investing time into something new.

Fear of spending money on help.

Fear of getting your hopes up.

Fear of finding out it didn’t solve everything overnight.

It’s easier to decide something won’t work before you try it than it is to step into uncertainty.

Here’s what I know.

Your ministry may be unique, but people are still people.

Human beings connect through stories. We remember stories. We share stories. We make decisions based on stories.

That’s why storytelling is such a powerful fundraising tool.

Whether you’re serving locally or internationally, whether your ministry is large or small, people still need a clear and compelling way to understand why your work matters and how they can be part of it.

Excuse #3: I’ll Work on That After I Get Everything Else Figured Out

This one feels productive.

You tell yourself you’ll work on your messaging after you update your website.

After you finish your strategic plan.

After you recruit more volunteers.

After summer.

After the next event.

After things settle down.

The problem is that your messaging isn’t something you add at the end.

It’s the foundation everything else is built on.

When your fundraising message is clear, your website becomes easier to write because you know exactly what needs to be communicated.

Your newsletters become easier because you’re no longer trying to figure out what angle to take every month.

Your staff and volunteers have more unity because everyone understands the mission the same way.

Message clarity doesn’t come after everything else.

It makes everything else easier.

Which One Are You Holding Onto?

Maybe one of these excuses immediately stood out to you.

Maybe all three did.

Take a minute and think about which one has been running through your mind lately.

“I don’t have time.”

“It won’t work for me.”

“I’ll do it later.”

Then ask yourself whether that belief is helping you move forward or keeping you stuck exactly where you are.

Most of us don’t need perfect conditions before we take the next step.

We just need to take the next step.

Ready to Clarify Your Fundraising Message?

You don’t have to figure this out by yourself.

If you’re tired of feeling stuck and want help creating a fundraising message that connects with donors and clearly communicates the impact of your ministry, I’d love to help.

Book a one-on-one coaching call, and together we’ll build a message you can use across your newsletters, donor conversations, presentations, and fundraising efforts.

Visit irisstorytelling.com/coaching to schedule your call.

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