Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy, and a Spiritual Call to Service

by Kerry A. Robinson

Fundraising is ministry—a transformative ministry that challenges all people to realize their own gifts and how they can be used for the benefit of the church. In Imagining Abundance , Kerry Robinson focuses on reasons why each of us are called to be stewards. We act because we’re excited about what it is that we do for the church and where we’re called by God to be, we want others to be just as excited about what that is, and we want people to be partners with us in that ministry.In Imagining Abundance , Kerry Robinson offers an inspirational and practical guide to effective fundraising that is ideal for anyone invested in a faith community. Bishops, provincials, pastors, ministers, executive and development directors and trustees of faith-based organizations will benefit from this healthy approach to the activity of fundraising that situates successful development in the context of ministry and mission.

Genres: Religion

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Lisa Lewton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and engaging read, packed with stories of God's abundance. Even though it is written about philanthropy at a Catholic ministry at Yale, it is a great sermon for leaders of any church, helping us remember the gift it is to invite people to share money with a ministry they love. I also appreciated words of accountability for those same leaders, holding an organization to the vision we say we are about. Too often, I hear church leaders bemoan the frugality of our people, becoming embittered by the pressure we feel to meet operating expenses. But if we truly believe God reveals abundance in Chrisr, then we have a different story to tell, and a different story to invite people to participate in financially.

[Kelly Guilbeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good! Tell the story of the development director at the Catholic center at Yale. Cool story, meant to be encouraging to development directors. The last chapter felt like a pitch of the company she now works for which felt like a weird way to end.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for an upcoming professional development seminar. The first half was encouraging about changing mindsets. Some of the theological tones are iffy. I'd like to see someone put together a similar practical resource that is more directly rooted in Scripture and the catechism. A quick read, so worth the time for a pep talk on fundraising and challenge to view how development ministers to donors as human subjects and not as objects.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although written from a Roman Catholic perspective, this little book pertains to fund raising and a development of the philanthropic attitude that would benefit all non-profits (and all individuals for that matter) Very inspirational!

[Michelle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

A must read for people with a vision seeking to raise money. Looking for faith, provision, vision & hard-work, concluding in being blessed

[Joseph Serwach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful primer on fundraising and philanthropy.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, inspirational philosophy and theology of fundraising, based on people.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good practical story of how to raise funds for a vision

[Geof · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am of two minds about this book.

On one hand, it sounds like the author is a very accomplished and effective fundraiser and I appreciate her sharing some of her stories.

On the other, raising $75M for Yale from Yale's well-heeled alumni strikes me as very different from other kinds of fundraising. The implications of that are the ignored elephant in the room. I wonder, what would Oscar Romero, C. Wright Mills, and Lenny Duncan think of this book?

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A campus minister and a young mother accept the call to build a Catholic Student Center at Yale University. Neither has run a capital campaign before. This is the story of how they went from point zero to having raised $75 ,000,000. They did it, not by focusing on the money, but on inviting people to join them in building a ministry for Catholic intellectual life on a college campus, believing that generosity inspires generosity.
Having accomplished that, Kerry goes on to helping found the Leadership Roundtable, an organization to help Catholic pastors gain skill in managing the people and property related to their ministries. As the Church becomes less clerical, lay people are being asked to share their expertise in the service of the institution. Another initiative, the ESTEEM program for lay leadership, is inviting university students to serve in the governance of parishes.
This is a short, lively, engaging read. Highly recommended.

[Carlos Rincon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring read for Fundraisers!