How to Setup a Stewardship Campaign in 5 Steps

Recognizing that every community and congregation is unique,
we recommend the following 6 Steps as a general outline for how to setup a
Stewardship Campaign.

For many communities the fundraising and Stewardship Campaign for the Annual Program Fund is a challenging time.

We have found that the two key components to operating a successful campaign are keeping the community’s mission at its center and inspiring transformation and change.

Note: We estimate that Steps 1-4 can be completed in approximately 2 months at an average rate of 2 weeks per Step. Step 5 is an ongoing process throughout the year.

Step 1: Create a Mission Based Aspirational Budget

Survey Congregational Leadership for Administrative and Operational Budget items including but not limited to Human Resources, Office, Facilities, Utilities etc.
Host Community Town Hall to Survey community priorities for Programs Budget items including but not limited to Creative Arts (Worship & Music), LifeSpan, Community Life, Justice and Outreach, Membership etc.
Create a Mission based Aspirational Budget.

Step 2: Make a Stewardship Appeal (Annual Pledge Drive)

Present a high level Aspirational Budget to the community that is easy to follow with pie charts, or general categorical lists.
Make a Stewardship Appeal Campaign with Stewardship Sunday with an inspirational “Sermon on the Amount” that will operate for a specified length of time.

Step 3: Develop a Balanced Budget

If your Stewardship Appeal meets or exceeds your Mission Based Aspirational Budget, CONGRATULATIONS!
If your Stewardship Appeal is less than your Mission Based Aspirational Budget, create opportunities for Input from community such as small group listening sessions with the Committee on Shared Ministry AND Board of Trustees to help set priorities and decide to:
- Make a second appeal,
- Create a Balanced Budget by either,
  - Borrowing from or using Reserve Funds (Endowment, Savings, etc)
  - Make Budget cuts by reducing expenses
- Both of the above!

Step 4: Approve Budget

Present Balanced Budget to community leadership (Committee on Shared Ministry, Board of Trustees, Teams, Committees etc.) for approval
Present Balanced Budget to community for approval

Step 5: Reconcile Contributions

Stewardship Committee
- Send Gratitude Letters to contributors
- Send Quarterly Giving Statements to contributors (July, October, January, April)
  - If individual contributors are not meeting Annual Pledge Inquire as to why?
    - Has there been a change in commitment to the community and see if that can be addressed (Change Matters!)
    - Has there been a change to the individual’s personal finances and see if there is a way to help (Compassion Matters!)
Board of Trustees monitors contributions monthly (total numbers not individual contributors)