Why African American Churches Keep Getting Passed Over by Outside Donors — And the 4 Things That Change That
Posted inDonor Relationships & Stewardship

Why African American Churches Keep Getting Passed Over by Outside Donors — And the 4 Things That Change That

Your church is doing real work. The programs are running. The congregation is giving. The pastor is committed. And still the outside donors are not coming. Not because your mission is weak. Because four specific things most African American churches have not yet built are missing — and outside donors look for all four before they respond to any outreach at all. This post breaks down exactly what those four things are and what to do about each one.
Posted inDonor Relationships & Stewardship2 Comments
Who Is the Outside Donor? A Profile of the African American Philanthropist Your Church Has Not Met Yet
Posted inDonor Relationships & Stewardship

Who Is the Outside Donor? A Profile of the African American Philanthropist Your Church Has Not Met Yet

There are people in your community right now who have the money and the desire to support what your church is doing. They are not in your pews on Sunday. They did not grow up in your congregation. They may have never walked through your doors. But they care deeply about the community your church serves. And if you build the right relationship and make the right ask, they will give. This blog profiles six types of outside donors — the African American business owner, the young professional, the retired educator, the corporate insider, the philanthropist, and the community champion — and tells you exactly what each one needs to see before they write a check.
Posted inDonor Relationships & Stewardship7 Comments
5 Questions Your Church Board Will Ask About Hiring a Fundraising Expert — And How to Answer Every One
Posted inLeadership & Organizational Development

5 Questions Your Church Board Will Ask About Hiring a Fundraising Expert — And How to Answer Every One

Every pastor who has tried to bring a fundraising investment to their board knows how the conversation goes. You lay out the vision. You explain what is possible. And then the questions start. Can we afford this? What is the return? Why can't our staff handle it? What happens to our donor relationships? Will an outside team understand our community? Every one of those questions has a powerful answer. Most pastors walk in without knowing what those answers are. This is the breakdown you need before you walk through that door.
Posted inLeadership & Organizational Development1 Comment
two church leaders discussing a budget spreadsheet and an under-filled offering plate
Posted inGeneral

The $20,000 Gap: What Actually Funds High-Impact Programs Today

Most leaders are stuck in a cycle where the church's bank account depends entirely on who shows up on Sunday morning. If it’s a holiday or a rainy day, the mission suffers. We call this the "Sunday Morning Trap." It happens when you try to fund a 24/7 community project with a 1-hour-a-week collection plate. In this post, we show you how to find people who want to support your work even if they never step foot in your building. It's time to stop surviving Sunday-to-Sunday and start building a plan that lasts all year long.
Posted inGeneral9 Comments
Why the Offering Plate Can’t Sustain Your Church Anymore
Posted inChurch & Nonprofit Trends Fundraising Strategy

Why the Offering Plate Can’t Sustain Your Church Anymore

Many churches depend on the offering plate and small fundraising events to support community programs. For years that approach helped ministries survive. But today, food programs, youth mentorship, outreach, and other community services require far more consistent funding than occasional giving and events can provide. In this article, you will learn why the traditional model struggles to sustain modern ministry programs, what causes funding instability, and how churches build a structured donor system that creates predictable support for the work their communities depend on.
Posted inChurch & Nonprofit Trends, Fundraising Strategy3 Comments
How to Know If Your Organization Is Actually Ready for Outside Funding
Posted inCommunity Impact & Program Growth

How to Know If Your Organization Is Actually Ready for Outside Funding

Many churches and nonprofits assume they need grants or donors — but need and readiness are not the same. Learn the five signs your organization is truly ready for outside funding, why strong missions still miss opportunities, and what structure funders actually look for before saying yes.
Posted inCommunity Impact & Program Growth4 Comments
Why Community Programs Go Broke By Spring
Posted inFundraising Strategy

Why Community Programs Go Broke By Spring

Every January, the same thing happens in churches and Black-led nonprofits across the country. December giving comes in strong. Community programs feel supported. Then January hits — and the money slows down. Community programs stall because giving was seasonal, not structured. This post explains why early-year funding gaps are predictable — and how consistent communication keeps community programs funded year-round.
Posted inFundraising Strategy1 Comment
What the New Pew Research Study Means for African American Churches (2025)
Posted inChurch & Nonprofit Trends

What the New Pew Research Study Means for African American Churches (2025)

This analysis translates Pew’s newest Religious Landscape Study into practical guidance for African American pastors. It explains how national trends, generational shifts, and engagement patterns impact Black churches — and outlines specific steps pastors can take to strengthen ministry, deepen community trust, and build a fundraising strategy that supports real programs and real people.
Posted inChurch & Nonprofit Trends