Author: wenright
The Untapped Giving Potential of Small Groups
Recently several articles on the charitable impact of giving circles grabbed my attention. Research now tells us that members of giving circles: (1) give more; (2) give more strategically; (3) give to... Read More
Wise Owl Budgeting
It’s January and my mind travels back to the time when I was a pastor. Early January found me sitting down with Susan, our church business administrator, to finalize our budget. We had an... Read More
Living Graciously, Giving Gratefully
As November wends its way toward Thanksgiving I’m reading a thoughtful and timely book by Diana Butler Bass: Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks.[i]She begins her book with this Fren... Read More
Forecasting Your Fundraising
As October comes of age many congregations turn their attention to stewardship and their annual fundraising initiative for 2019. Is there any way to forecast whether pledging and giving will be up or ... Read More
Canoeing the Pews
Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by my friend Todd Bolsinger is a must read for congregational leaders. The tongue in cheek title reflects the dilemma the pioneers L... Read More
Insights: Reflections on Black Philanthropy by Tyrone Freeman
I want to share this informative and thoughtful Youtube video by my friend Tyrone Freemon. You can find a direct link to the video here.... Read More
The Wondrous Gift of Many Faces
Some years ago a report titled Donors of the Future – 12 Key Trends identified “racial and ethnic diversity” as the number one trend reshaping the giving landscape.[i]The prescience of that find... Read More
Clergy, Congregations and Donor-Advised Funds
Last week I was in South Dakota to “kick-off” a graduate certificate program for clergy co-sponsored by Dakota Wesleyan University and the Dakotas and Minnesota Conference of the United Methodist ... Read More