By John R Frank, CFRE

A previous ministry client had begun its development program and decided to focus on major donors. This was successful as the Executive Director is very good with relationships. The ministry got off to a good start. But in year two, I received a call from the ED in August stating, “We are out of cash, we have plenty of commitments, but no cash right now. What do we do?” They had put all of their efforts into their major donors and they were not giving during the summer months.

Why be comprehensive?

1. Give as you have been blessed

The concept of being comprehensive in your approach to development is more than just raising more money from more people. It has to do with the very fundamental reasons for raising money from your donors.

Deuteronomy 16:17 states: Each of you should give in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. (NIV) I take this to mean that we have all been blessed in differing amounts. So our giving should reflect what WE have been given. And therefore, not every giving strategy will fit every steward. It should be the goal of every development department to provide a strategy to reach each type of relationship.

2. Relationships are different/unique

This story was published in "The Reporter" a Vacaville, CA newspaper recently.

Mission Solano's success commended by Schwarzenegger By Jason Massad/Staff Writer

It's not every day you get a letter from the governor. And for Ron Marlette and others at Mission Solano, the holiday season is bringing a bevy of gifts.

The Fairfield faith-based group broke ground earlier this month on its long-hoped-for $9 million homeless shelter near Beck Avenue and Cordelia Road.

Now, the state's top official, the "Governator" himself, is recognizing the success of an organization that ferried the homeless to and from churches in a beat-up bus eight short years ago.