Donor Advancement Tools

SEPTEMBER 2025

Hello Teammates!



Storytelling is an art form and an effective form for connecting with donors. Good anecdotal communication touches the heart. When it comes to “proof of performance,” FCA staff has access to heartfelt quotes from our clientele, coaches and athletes. Adding anecdotal nuggets to FCA data creates thought, emotion and action for many potential donors as they consider a gift.

For instance, Dunlap High School’s FCA Huddle meets every other Friday during what is called the school’s Club Hour. Approximately 100 students choose FCA as their Club Hour. Four-Star Football player Mack Sutter, who will play football at the University of Alabama offers an important quote, “I just like that its student led. It’s not a teacher up there. It’s a bunch of students. They all love God. They’re all determined (to honor) His Word. It’s cool to see how the kids talk about Him and just show their love.”

Aubrey Brumbaugh is a tennis player and cheerleader at Western Illinois University. She leads FCA at WIU. Aubrey is planning WIU FCA’s third FIELDS OF FAITH event later this month. It all started with FCA Camp for Aubrey. She has served as a huddle leader at Camp each year since graduating from high school. At Camp this Summer, Aubrey shared, “FCA Camp has done so much for me throughout my life as it’s poured into me. It’s my time to pour into the girls here. I picked up a racket for the first time at FCA Camp, and now, I play Division One tennis---all Glory to God. It was all Him. Again, that’s just pouring back into this place as it’s poured into me from a Spiritual aspect and from a tennis aspect.”

Mack and Aubrey both provide tremendous affirmation of the effectiveness of E3 at work in their lives. I encourage all of us to combine data and those sincere quotes/sound bites to celebrate FCA with potential and current donors. If you are in an FCA environment, don’t be afraid to ask athletes and coaches how FCA is impacting their lives.  It can happen just by pressing the record button on our phones as we have a conversation.

In Christ,

Dan Pearson                                                                                                                                                                                                      NW Illinois FCA Multi-Area Director

April 2025

Hello Team!

Don’t you just love FCA’s Core Values?  I find them to be very provisional for the rhythm of my life, let alone as an FCA Staffer.  Yes, words to live by---Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.

Our Core Values fit in wonderfully in the Donor Advancement Lane. I encourage all of us to be mindful of them whether for a banquet, a year-end mailing, a golf scramble, one-on-one funding meetings or speaking to the Rotary Club in hopes of planting seeds for the future.

Integrity is key as we connect with potential supporters.  Being up front with real numbers, real needs and real sincerity is part of the message.  As we express the vision and mission of FCA, including as it applies to a specific FCA area, do so with character.  That is a place to share actual money needs---how much is needed for salaries---how much for a camp is needed---how much is needed for a ‘dream big’ event.  I find that people look for integrity as they support FCA. They know their gift will make an eternal impact.  We have the privilege of being honest with the scope of our budget needs.

Serving is a great connecting point with potential and current supporters.  Find something that’s important to them and find a way to serve. It might be helping in the concession stand at a middle school basketball game.  They may serve a non-profit that needs helping hands for an event (just like us). Their family may be going through a happy or even challenging time.  Just showing up can bring blessings.

Teamwork is a natural for FCA---“to and through sports.”  Folks love to be part of something that leads to a positive result, especially as a team with fellowship in the midst of it all.  Let’s all have teams---from our board members to the ladies group at church to high school kids who get credit for community service as we fund our ministry. Its special to celebrate people who are serving as a team.

Excellence is an element and an end result as we apply FCA’s Core Values to fundraising. How great is it to hear that positive feedback and, of course, see excellent revenue results come to our areas as we commit to integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence!

Let’s pray to our Lord as we apply the Core Values to the cadence our lives.  Some really smart, Christ-centered brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ developed these for our benefit. What a gift and blessing!

November 2024

Hello Team! Our Donor Advancement message takes us to the unlikely and under-appreciated---the effectiveness and power of Foundation Grants and the handwritten card.  One can immediately fulfill a financial need; the other allows us to make our way into the lives of potential donors and bring a sweet connection with current donors.