A Spirituality of Fundraising: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series

by Henri J.M. Nouwen, John S. Mogabgab (Series Editor)

A succinct and powerful witness that fundraising is a form of ministry and can be a deeply spiritual experience.

"As a ministry, fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry." - H.J.M. Nouwen

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith, Spirituality, Christianity, Business

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2011

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Tim Casteel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short read- 40 pages. Packed with wisdom and truth re fund raising. The book is available for free on Nouwen's website or as a pdf many places on the web.

Fundraising is "not a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things."
Fundraising is spiritually good for both the ask-er and the giver.

Fund-raising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.
Fund-raising is precisely the opposite of begging. When we seek to raise funds we are not saying, “Please, could you help us out because lately it’s been hard.” Rather, we are declaring, “We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you—your energy, your prayers, and your money—in this work to which God has called us.”
As a form of ministry, fund-raising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.

[Eugene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sermon Nouwen gave a number of years ago and was edited into a book. It is a thin volume but thick on truth and a different view of fundraising and money. His main point is to encourage Christian leaders to see that our fear of talking about and asking for money stems from our dependance on it rather than God. We are fearful. He also highlights the idea that all mnistry is relational and that fundraising is ministry. Asking for money and giving can draw us into deeper relationships with others, he believes.

[Mitchell Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little primer on the perspective of ministry partner development. It is chalk full of great little one liners to keep you motivated.

[Bradyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of wisdom and help! A good read if you are ever fundraising! Or just want to learn about the ministry behind fundraising!

[Lancelot Schaubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in 20 minutes after many recs from many folks over many years. It didn’t disappoint and showed how fundraising can be joyful and help the wealthy out of the spiritual poverty of loneliness.

[Molly Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read that affirms a vision of fundraising that is rooted in Christ and expectant hope to the provision of a good Father who wants everything for you.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm co-chairing an upcoming fundraiser for a cause I believe in. This book reinforced how important it is to believe in your cause, rely on already strong relationships in your life to build other believers, and how to help your friends and family become believers in your cause as well.

Ultimately, fundraising is spiritual journey to be enjoyed and shared with people you care about.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my third time reading this book and every time it is so encouraging to me. Praise God for his faithfulness!

[Molly Rembold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fire. I’m sure I’ll reread it so many times in the next few years. 🤪

[Ruth Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Muy interesante! Recomiendo su lectura a cualquiera que sea cristiano y forme parte de un ministerio, porque Henri Nouwen deja claro que recaudar fondos no es una actividad más, sino que es en sí mismo un ministerio. Lo importante no es el dinero, sino las relaciones que formamos. Cada uno debe aportar aquellas riquezas que Dios le ha dado.

[Shawn Enright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read per Jake Stum’s recommendation. Jake is a gifted fundraiser, and he told me that he’s always felt a mild disgust with that fact, because he used to see his gifting as “good at getting other people’s money.” This book changed his perspective on fundraising. He now sees fundraising as Nouwen presents it: the stewarding of God’s gifts for God’s people, which establishes God’s kingdom.

The book is short and terse, which tends to be where Nouwen is at his best. I really liked his insight that our relationship with money reflects the condition of our heart and lives. If there is anxiety, competition, fear, or greed around money — that tells us more about ourselves than about money. So, we should see fundraising as a twofold process: it helps us establish secure attachments with material resources, and invites God to do a work in that space.

This is a great, beginners book for anyone wanting to facilitate discussions around the Christian’s relationship with money.

[Sydney Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money is the greatest taboo.

“The reason for the taboo is that money has something to do with that intimate place in our heart where we need security, and we do not want to reveal our need or give away our security to someone who, maybe only accidentally, might betray us.”


My prayer:
“Take away the many fears, suspicions, and doubts by which I prevent you from being my Lord, and give me the courage and freedom to appear naked and vulnerable in the light of your presence, confident in your unfathomable mercy.” -A Cry for Mercy

[Matt Allhands]

This could easily be titled "A Spirituality of Money". Nouwen gets under the surface to issues of motive and unhealthy relationships with success, comfort, and money in this book - definitely a good read for people looking to raise money for a ministry, but probably a good read for Christians who are struggling with concepts of tithing, and how their occupations fit into the work of the Kingdom.

[Katie Zaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ministry is, first of all, receiving God’s blessing from those to whom we minister. What is this blessing? It is a glimpse of the face of God.”

This book was short but filled with wisdom- Looks like I’ll need to read again and again! It emphasized that in support raising and ministry, we do not need to beg for money. If the mission we are on is really as profound, true, and worthwhile as we think, why would we ever be shy or need to beg? (And the only reason I gave it 4 stars is so that my 5 star books are reallyyy 5 stars. But it was still so good)

Thanks Luke & Taylor :)

[Zachary T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I love Nouwen’s heart and this book was very good and challenging in many ways. I also just don’t understand what he’s trying to say a lot of times because it’s so very poetic. Probably just me needing to read more poetry

[Pete Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had to raise support for the past 7 years as I’ve worked for Christian nonprofits and it has been a struggle for me bc I can’t help but feeling that I’m either imposing on people or leveraging relationships for money. This book provides a helpful biblical and ministerial framework to think about these things and answer some of my fears.

[Cody Canepa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reminder of why I do fundraising. This book helps me get my heart centered back on God during a season of support raising. It is very easy to see support raising as a step before our ministry. This book challenges you to see support raising as part of your ministry and a way to open the door of people’s hearts to God’s unconditional love.

[Abby Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read and very encouraging! Will for sure be used as a reference for the support raising book I’m writing in response to good ole Steve

[Lilli Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and encouraging !!

[Patrick Funston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read for a staff retreat. It’s a great, small book, but it was not well-used as a staff retreat focus.

[Dustin Mailman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a “how to fundraise” book. This is a proper “spirituality of fundraising” book. In classic Nouwen fashion, he brings the reader to their knees and invites the process of fundraising to be one of integrated humility, gratitude, and mutuality. The chapter titled “rich people” was particularly powerful. A must read if fundraising is something that you do.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful little book offered me so much hope and encouragement regarding fundraising and the opportunity to invite others into God’s work and mission. I wish I had read this book four years ago when I began fundraising for a full time ministry position. This book is perfect for those in the work of fundraising- both on the asking and giving sides. I was particularly encouraged by the idea that God’s Spirit moves in order to accomplish His purposes. If we trust He has called us to serve His Kingdom in particular ways, we have freedom to proclaim and invite others into His work. I also love the image of the “creation of a community of love” and want to seek this community where I serve and in the ways I invite others to serve with me.

[Gavin Breeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short little book adapted from a sermon or address that Nouwrn gave. As someone who's been raising money as part of ministry for two years now this was an immensely helpful little read. Nouwen asks his reader to think about their own relationship to money and to other people and to consider how fundraising can actually be a ministry to the people that we're asking because we're inviting them to participate in the work of God's kingdom. It's all very beautiful and encouraging, one of the best things I've ever read on fundraising.

[Grace Catherine Beckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book — as any of Nouwen's I've read — was powerful and incredibly encouraging. The wisdom Nouwen offers about fundraising (from both sides) and its connection to our relationships with God and others was a breath of fresh air and new wind in my sails in this summer of fundraising that I'm walking through! It definitely reinforced my heart and love for fundraising ministry and its beauty. I will be reading this over and over and over again over the next couple years!

[Sweisiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and sweet overview of the theology behind fund-raising and stewardship. I especially enjoy Nouwen's analysis of relationality and community as being at the core of our work in fundraising--the goal is not money, but relationship, building community, creating the Kingdom.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read to refresh ministry workers about the purpose and ministry of partnership development. Not full of practical how-to's, but contains probing questions that bring the reader back to the ultimate goal of inviting God's people to join in on God's work in the world.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic short read for anyone who fundraises in ministry. Nouwen was a brilliant spiritual writer whose work has consistently moved and challenged me, so I was delighted to see this offering. I am going to encourage everyone in my campus ministry organization to read it.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little book that every Christian whose job requires raising funds should read. For such a small book there is very profound content. Pastors, church finance teams, & Christian nonprofit directors will especially benefit.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, simple and deep. Important read for those individuals involved in fundraising for the Kingdom.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and quite short book to read slowly and reflectively. Worth a look for anyone involved in raising money, and maybe also for those who give it too.