The clock is ticking to the end of the year. Do you have an end of year giving plan?
Are you prepared for the two minute warning when it comes to increasing your giving? If you are a football fan then you know what the two minute warning is. In professional football it is when the official stops play to tell the coach there are two minutes left in the game. The difference between winning and losing often comes down to which team preforms the best in those last two minutes. Winning teams have set two minute drills they run which they practice repeatedly throughout the year.
The two minute warning for a church is the start of end of year giving.
As I write this it is the first day of autumn and few are thinking about the end of the year. Retailers are so you are probably already seeing signs of Christmas. One reason retailers are already thinking and planning for Christmas is that for them it is the make or break of whether they show a profit or not. For the church it is often the same.
24% of a charities annual giving comes between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. What is your percentage? It might not be that high but I would guess that a significant amount does come in those weeks. However, in my experience most churches fail to capitalize on this key period of time.
If so much potential dollars comes at the end of the year why are we not better prepared for end of year giving? Are you right now running behind budget so that you really need a good close out to the year? Do you have a plan to see a giving increase in those last few days of the year? Commercial time! On Monday October 13th at 2 PM EST I will be hosting a webinar called, The Two Minute Drill: How to Build an Effective End of Year Strategy, which will focus upon end of year giving. To register now go to
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7631075051988218626
Don’t wait for the webinar but start now to build the case for your end of year appeal. A good end of year strategy starts in November. So now is the time to begin your planning. Here are some keys to think about as you work on your appeal or “ask.” Follow these steps to set up your end of year appeal…
- Every appeal or “ask” needs a driver. A driver is the vision that drives me to my wallet to give.
- Make the “ask” about fulfilling a vision not hitting a number. What is the vision behind your end of year appeal? Remember to make it clear, concise and most of all compelling.
- Remember the basic elements of an “ask” are…
Crisis – I want my donors to know about…
Need – We can help by…
Ask – Your gift NOW will help us meet this need!
- Whatever you do make the “ask” positive! Nothing drives a donor away like a desperate appeal. Making budget might mean making salary but you need to position the “ask” in a positive way.
So it might just be autumn but before you know it the last few weeks of the year will be upon us. Act now to avoid a budget crisis. The two minute warning will be upon us before you know it and it will be time for your two minute drill.
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach
My weekly members get for free a plan of action that will be their two minute drill to effectively close out their year on a high note. Register now to get this vital information by going to