More Than Money

Grow your giving by reaching the heart of your champion.

In a cultural moment saturated with economic uncertainty, political polarization, and rising donor fatigue, the question for Christian nonprofit leaders isn’t simply: “How do we raise more money?”

Let’s frame it this way: “How do we grow generous people whose giving flows from the heart of God and advances his kingdom?”

At Mission Increase (Mi), we believe growing giving isn’t primarily a tactical problem to solve but a spiritual opportunity to steward.

In today’s world, “generous givers” are increasingly discerning, seeking authenticity, transparency, and meaning in the causes they support. The opportunity before us is not just to secure financial gifts, but to engage givers hearts and mobilize communities centered on Christ. This is the kind of giving that grows – and lasts.

A Biblical View: Giving as Participation in God’s Work

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul reminds the early church that giving is not just an obligation; it is “a ministry” (v.1) that results in “many thanksgivings to God” (v.12). He doesn’t ask for support for himself or even for the church in Jerusalem primarily – he invites believers into the grace of God’s provision and generosity.

Giving, then, is not the end goal. It is the fruit of deeper formation.

Henri Nouwen expressed this beautifully: “Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry… We are inviting people into a new way of relating to their resources. We are calling them to conversion,” Henri Nouwen, The Spirituality of Fundraising.

Giving is participation in God’s work. We are not in search of “major donors” to sustain our work. We are called to “coach” champions – followers of Jesus who pray, give, serve, learn, and share as a response to God’s leading. Giving, then, is not the end goal. It is the fruit of deeper formation.

Trends We’re Watching: The Landscape Has Shifted

Mi has been tracking giving trends across the U.S., and several themes are emerging that require thoughtful response from ministry leaders:

1. The Decline of Traditional Giving

The percentage of Americans who give to charity has declined from 66% in 2000 to just over 49% in 2022 (Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy). Among practicing Christians, giving patterns remain stronger but expectations are changing. They don’t just want to fund ministry; they want to belong to it.

Implication: A shift from transactional giving to transformational fundraising is essential. People are not giving less because they care less – they are giving differently. Leaders must learn how to grow giving by growing people.

2. The Demand for Relationship and Impact

Donors, who we also refer to as “champions” long to see the impact of their generosity. They want to belong. They want to be part of something meaningful. Yet many ministries still communicate with givers like passive ATM machines.

Implication: We must reimagine the champion relationship. These relationships between champions and organizations are primarily peer-level accountability relationships. This requires humility, intentionality, and a theology that says we are in this together.

3. The Rise of “Cause-Driven” Champions

Today’s givers, especially younger generations, are increasingly motivated by causes over organizations. They give to solve problems, relieve suffering, and promote flourishing.

Implication: Ministries must clearly articulate the cause they represent, not just the organization they run. As we often say at Mi, “If your organization stays true to the cause, champions will give (and pray, serve, learn, and share) in support of the organization as a means of engaging the cause.”

The Path Forward: Participation, Engagement, Ownership (PEO)

So how do we grow giving? Mission Increase believes in a simple, yet powerful framework called: PEO – Participation, Engagement, Ownership. It maps the journey of a champion from their first encounter through ministry ownership.

• Participation: is a small, tangible step – volunteering, attending an event, making a first gift, or praying for a specific need.
• Engagement: deepening through shared learning, hands-on service, prayerful involvement, and authentic relationship. This is the crucible of transformation.
• Ownership: inviting others into the cause, praying faithfully, giving sacrificially, and seeing the mission as part of their own calling.

Growing giving is about helping people move through the participation phase. But we don’t want to rush them to ownership without the slow work of engagement. Our role is to help disciple champions – inviting them into community, equipping them to support our cause, and walking alongside them as they grow in Christlikeness.

The Role of Ministry Leaders: Disciple, Don’t Just Develop

Ephesians 4:11–13 reminds us that God has given leaders “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Ministry leaders are not called to do the work for their givers – but to equip them.

Mi reframes fundraising as “champion development,” not donor acquisition.

This is why Mi reframes fundraising as “champion development,” not donor acquisition. We’re not asking, “How do I get more donors to fund my mission?” Instead, we ask, “How can I grow the people God has already sent me?”

The fruit of this mindset is not only more generous giving – it’s a community of believers formed in the image of Christ, working together for God’s purposes.

Best Practices for Growing Giving

Here are a few best practices that align with Mi’s biblical, strategic, and practical model:

1. Make Needs Known, Don’t Just Pitch Solutions
   Share the ministry’s needs and invite your champion community to seek God’s provision with you. This posture invites prayer, discernment, and collective ownership.
2. Integrate Communications Around the Cause
   Confused donors don’t act. Every message, newsletter, appeal, and invitation should clearly point to the same cause and core message.
3. Use Micro-Events to Accelerate Growth
   Small, champion-led gatherings (house parties, prayer nights, book studies) can provide growth opportunities in every category of the PEO framework.
4. Measure What Matters
   Track champion growth, not just revenue. Are people taking new steps in prayer, service, learning, and advocacy? To know this, you must know your champions.
5. Pray. Fast. Discern. Repeat.
   Prayer is not preparation for the work; it is the work.

Growing Giving = Growing People

At Mi, we often say, “God provides for what he calls us to.” But his provision doesn’t always look like more money. Sometimes it looks like more faith, more community, and more obedience. And when we grow those things, generous giving follows.

Here’s our encouragement to ministry leaders today:

• Don’t chase after donors. Find champions.
• Don’t lead with need. Lead with vision and mission.
• Don’t manage givers. Equip champions.
• Don’t just seek gifts. Grow people.

When we do, we’ll find that giving not only grows – it multiplies. Because people who are being transformed into the likeness of Christ can’t help but live generous lives.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8, ESV)

Mission Increase

To learn more about how Mission Increase equips Christian nonprofits with biblical training, coaching, and tools to grow giving and expand kingdom impact, visit www.missionincrease.org.

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Dan Davis is President of Mission Increase, where he leads a national movement equipping Christian nonprofits to grow giving through biblical principles, transformational generosity, and champion development. With a passion for discipling ministry leaders, Dan brings decades of experience helping organizations multiply their impact for the cause of Christ. Scott Scharpen serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Mission Increase, where he leads national initiatives to equip nonprofits, donors, and churches to multiply their collective Kingdom impact. Based in the Austin area, Scott brings strategic leadership to Mi’s efforts in serving thousands of ministries around the world.