Ministry Fundraising Week includes webinars across the week, a morning tea in Melbourne, and a morning tea in Sydney. Tickets for the webinars are sold / registered for as a single batch of ten webinars, to save having ten different registration forms and attendance links. Access to the webinars will be via the same app (Web app as well as Mobile app) that is used for the CMA Conference.
9.30am-10.30am (AEST) Webinar: Ministry Fundraising Week opening, and “The Spirituality of Fundraising” with Sharyn Tidswell, Opal Fundraising
“Those who need money and those who can give money meet on the common ground of God’s love.” More than 30 years on, these words of wisdom from Henri Nouwen still resonate and challenge. This thought-provoking session explores what fundraising is from a gospel perspective – that’s far from begging for money.
1.00pm-2.00pm (AEST) Webinar: “Winning Grants Without Losing Your Mind: Practical Strategies for Christian Ministries” with Leslie Annear, Clarity Content
Grants can unlock powerful opportunities for ministry and mission. In this practical webinar, Leslie Annear (Clarity Content) shares clear, proven strategies to help you find the right grants, write stronger applications, and approach the process with confidence. Gain tailored insights for Christian ministries and leave equipped to pursue funding with greater clarity and focus – plus receive a special discount for further training.
Sydney Morning Tea. 9.30am to 11.15am
Mills Oakley Lawyers, 151 Clarence Street, Sydney.
Melbourne Morning Tea. 9.30am to 11.15am
NewHope Baptist Church, 3 Springfield Road, Blackburn North.
4.00pm-5.00pm (AEST) Webinar: “Start-Up and Small NFP Fundraising” with Peter Lusk, Southern Cross Kids Camps
Raising sufficient funds for a smaller NFP can seem like an impossible task. However, there are some practices that can be implemented that can change the trajectory of your organisation: Working out where to start; telling your story simply; preparing to thank well; asking for help; and playing the long game.
7.00pm-8.00pm (AEST) Webinar: “What CEOs and Board Members need to understand about fundraising.” with Ben Allsop, Marketing Manager, Saward Dawson
Fundraising is vital for many Christian ministries and fuels the engine of your mission. But without having worked on the front line of fundraising, how are Board members and CEOs ensuring that they’re keeping on the right track with their fundraising plans? This session will help unlock a basic understanding of fundraising principles for Board members that will help them understand and contribute to stronger fundraising in their ministry.
9.30am-10.30am (AEST) Webinar: “It’s Not (Just) About the Money: Cultivating Deep Donor Relationships through the Lens of Love” with Professor Jen Shang, Co-Founder of the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, UK
Prof. Shang will present the latest research conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, showing that the quality and longevity of charities’ relationship with donors suffers when the focus is solely on money or the impact that the donors’ money will have on the charities’ worthy causes. Prof. Shang will introduce a new paradigm emphasizing that love – mutual, genuine care between the charity and the donor — is at the core of the decision to donate and should be central to how charities communicate with donors about philanthropy. In this presentation, Prof. Shang will explore how charities can use this framework to re-think and re-design their communications with donors regarding outright and legacy giving.
1.00pm-2.00pm (AEST) Webinar: “Christian Ethics Applied to AI Donor Relationships” with June Steward, Director of Creagivity
Everyone agrees — the one thing AI can’t do in fundraising is the R word. Relationships. The personal touch. Personalisation. Caring. Donor love.
Supposedly, AI can’t replace those human conversations and interactions that build up trust, liking and love for your cause. But what if it can … with AI companions? People may scoff at this but people are already engaging in “relationships” with bots whether for positive purposes such as mental health therapy or for negative connections that lead to inappropriate sexual behaviour or suicide. Also, the next generation of donors are going to be AI natives and will most likely expect their charitable relationships to be conducted at least in part through AI. June Steward will pose several AI scenarios, placing at the centre the conundrum of where AI fits in within a Christian culture where the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus is paramount.
4.00pm-5.00pm (AEST) Webinar: (topic to be advised) with Amanda McSeveny from Dunham+Company
8.00am-9.00am (AEST) Webinar: “Sharing the Vision – Self-funded Gospel Worker” with Will Longbottom, Fully Funded Gospel Worker
Support raising isn’t just about money – it’s about sharing a vision that invites others to partner in gospel ministry. In this session, Will Longbottom (Fully Funded Gospel Worker) will walk through practical ways to communicate your ministry clearly, confidently, and relationally. Whether you’re just starting or needing fresh encouragement, this will help you invite support with integrity and faith.
9.30am-10.30am (AEST) Webinar: “Philanthropy vs Christian Stewardship: a discussion around the difference between goodness and holiness.” with Craige Gravestein, Chief Big Gifts, Xponential
Big gifts philanthropy is booming in Australia, but not so much in Christian community. Is philanthropy the secular counterfeit of Christian giving? Why do numerous leading philanthropists trumpet Christian values yet apportion the bride of Christ the widow’s mite? This session will be a facilitated discussion looking at the differences and reflecting on any useful steps we can take in resourcing the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
1.00pm-2.00pm (AEST) Webinar: “Finding, Understanding, Engaging Supporters on your Mission Journey” with Leigh Cleave
Detailed description to come
