Ministry Fundraising Week includes a series of 12 webinars, details below.
All webinars will be recorded, and you aren’t required to register for each individual webinar. Once you register for the series, you may attend any or all of the webinars live, and you will receive links to all recordings and PDF slides.
Monday 10th August, 8.00am AEST
“When Fundraising Becomes Faithless: Rethinking our work from a biblical perspective” with Scott Rodin, The Focus Group (USA)
In this session we will tackle the question, “What’s so Christian about our fundraising?” Or put another way, if our organizational mission engages us in the movement of the Holy Spirit in advancing God’s kingdom on earth, shouldn’t the way we raise kingdom resources bear the marks of that same mission? We will look at five transitions we must make if we are to fully embrace a way of raising funds that aligns with Biblical teaching and is shaped by kingdom values. In doing so we will be led to one unequivocal conclusion: faithful fundraising doesn’t just fund ministry, it is ministry!
Monday 10th August, 1.00pm AEST
“Faithful and Fluent: using AI in ministry fundraising without losing the relationship” with Nic Capp, Founder and Director, Walk With You Fundraising
AI can help ministry fundraisers prepare better, work faster and spend more time with people—but only when truth, dignity and accountability stay firmly human. In this practical, participative session, Nic Capp will show how to identify safe starting tasks, use a simple traffic-light test, and give AI a clear TASK: Tell it the job, Add only safe facts, Set limits and Keep a human in charge. A live fictional demonstration will show both the usefulness and the risks of confident AI-generated content. Attendees will leave with five quick checks, a 30-day experiment and a free AI Readiness Check to help their organisation take one wise next step.
Tuesday 11th August, 8.00am AEST
“The joy of bequest giving” with Dr Claire Routley, Legacy Futures
Often people imagine that Gifts in Wills are a difficult subject to raise with supporters, when in fact the opposite is true. Gifts in Wills are often associated with the people, places or communities that have brought joy into people’s lives. In this session, we’ll review what research can tell us about bequest donors, the joy that giving in this way can bring, and how we can enhance those positive feelings through our Gifts in Wills communication. We’ll also think about the connections between giving and faith specifically, and how Christian organisations can encourage people to consider a gift to their causes.
Tuesday 11th August, 9.30am AEST
“Ethical storytelling in the era of generative AI” with Kate Kardol, Kate Kardol Communications & Fundraising (NZ)
AI can produce content faster and cheaper than ever before. But what are the risks? We’ll discuss when genAI is helpful and when it hurts our storytelling.
Tuesday 11th August, 3.00pm,
“How you can give away lots of money and be happy about it” with Rev Dr Michael Jensen, Rector, St Mark’s Anglican Church, Darling Point
How can Christians give generously, joyfully, and wisely? In this webinar, Michael Jensen explores a distinctly Christian approach to money and generosity. Drawing on the New Testament, he argues that Christian giving is not driven by guilt, obligation, or public recognition, but by the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. We give because God has first given to us -sacrificially, freely, and cheerfully.
Wednesday 12th August, 8.00am AEST
“Be Meaningful – Philanthropy in Major Gift Fundraising” with Prof. Jen Shang, Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy
Join Jen Shang as she translates insights from Meaningful Philanthropy into practical steps for fundraisers of faith. This session explores why meaning differs from impact, and why impact alone cannot sustain major gift philanthropy.
Wednesday 12th August, 12.00pm AEST
“Engaging younger donors – how to and should we? “ with Dr Karen McComiskey (World Vision), Jayden Battey (Baptist World Aid), Richenda Vermeulen (ntegrity),with June Steward (Creagivity) acting as moderator.
Advice around engaging younger donors is conflicting. Conventional fundraising wisdom and current benchmarking tells us we should focus on older donors. Yet others insist their research and successful campaigns show younger donors are giving very generously. What’s the real story? Come along to hear from our expert panellists Karen McComiskey (World Vision) on their younger donor programs, Jayden Battey (Baptist World Aid) on the major donor side, Richenda Vermeulen (ntegrity) on their NextGen research and work, with June Steward (Creagivity) acting as moderator.
Wednesday 12th August, 3.00pm AEST
“3 Ways to Increase Giving: A Relational Approach to Fundraising” with Dr Ruth Knight
Drawing on research and real-world experience, experienced fundraiser Dr Ruth Knight explores three drivers of generosity that help people feel connected, valued, and inspired to make a difference. In this interactive session you will discover practical, evidence-based strategies to encourage giving and long-term support for your organisation.
Thursday 13th August, 8.00am
“The rise of sustainable giving” with Dave Raley, Founder & CEO, The Centre for Sustainable Giving (USA)
Discover how the Subscription Economy has sparked a renaissance in recurring giving, transforming sustainer programs for nonprofits. Dave Raley, author of The Rise of Sustainable Giving, will share insights and practical strategies from today’s fastest-growing monthly giving programs. Learn key principles to boost revenue, retention, and long-term value, unlocking the potential of sustainable funding for your organisation.
Thursday 13th August, 1.00pm AEST
“Raising your own support” with Geoff and Liz Folland, Power to Change
Raising personal support is one of the most distinctive—and often most transformative—aspects of serving in ministry. Drawing on more than 70 years of Campus Crusade’s global experience, Geoff and Liz Folland from Power to Change Australia will explore the biblical foundations, practical methods and spiritual formation that underpin our approach to Ministry Partner Development. Speaking as practitioners, they will share how we train and coach missionaries through the support-raising journey, introducing practical tools such as Total Monthly Needs budgets, Vision & Calling Albums, contact brainstorming and ongoing partner care. Whether you are considering a self-support model, refining your current approach or simply interested in how one mission organisation has developed a sustainable philosophy of partnership, this session will provide both theological conviction and practical insight, with particular attention to the Australian ministry context.
Friday 14th August, 9.00am AEST
“Faithful resilience in turbulent times” with David Hutt, Dunham+Company
Donors are navigating cost-of-living pressure, global instability, and a shifting economy – and it’s changing how, where, and why they give. Launched at the CMA conference in June, the findings of Dunham+Co’s 2026 donor confidence report will bring clarity to what matters most, and how your ministry should respond. Expect practical, tactical guidance for your upcoming appeals – what to say, what to ask for, what to stop doing, and where the opportunities are hiding in plain sight for ministries willing to lead with wisdom.
Friday 14th August, 11.00am AEST
“Faith and abundance: God at work for major capital campaigns” with Wei-Han Kuan (CMS VIC) / John Robinson (Global Leadership Network Australia) / Anna Burke (The Crusader Union of Australia / Hypotheque Mortgage Broking) / Moderator: Sharyn Tidswell (Opal Fundraising)
Multi-million dollar building projects – they can stretch a ministry’s faith, capacity and imagination. Yet they can also reveal God at work transforming lives as people give in generous obedience to Christ. This engaging panel includes diverse perspectives – from a senior pastor, a mission agency director and a seasoned fundraiser – with a common thread: faithfully seeking and trusting God. Whether figuring out how to start and where to find donors, dealing with the fear of asking for big gifts, or planning an effective campaign, this presentation may challenge, inspire and lead to a prayerful dependence on our Abundant Provider.
