A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition

by Henri J.M. Nouwen, Nathan Ball

The why—and how—of faith-based fundraising and stewardship.

For years, many faith-based fundraisers and communities have been inspired by Henri J. M. Nouwen’s book A Spirituality of Fundraising and his approach to fundraising as a calling and ministry. Many who are inspired by Nouwen’s vision remain hesitant to ask for money, saying, “I don’t have the personality to raise money” or “Asking for money still feels too complicated and makes me fearful.”

Nathan Ball, a close colleague and friend of Nouwen, tackles these trepidations head-on with his workbook, providing a 4-week how-to guide for putting Nouwen’s culture-shifting vision into practice. Nouwen and Ball lift up fundraising as a powerful way of loving and building community. They provide gentle guidance that will help people from all walks of life reimagine the task of fundraising and access the conviction and skills to engage in the task of fundraising.

In this workbook, readers will find the complete original text of A Spirituality of Fundraising plus extensive commentary on its themes. There are many questions for reflection and journaling, prompts for listening and meditation, and instructions for using the book as an individual or with a group.

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2019

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

[Annie Boggs]

I found the first half helpful in thinking through how to relate to partners and fundraising as ministry. But the book was pretty New Age. Several quotes were near heretical, and the book as a whole rarely referenced the Bible. Overall, I found some helpful application from the author’s experiences, but the theology was shaky at best.

[Brother Brandon]

Read this with other interns at work.

This book profoundly changed my perspective on fundraising. Grateful again for Nouwen's work who has blessed me many times in the past as well.

[Mike Sr.]

Wonderful Guide for Meditation and Transformation

This workbook took me on a special journey to think deeply about much more than the mechanics of fundraising. The author helps us understand and appreciate God’s purposes behind fundraising so we can then move into a new dimension: one where fundraising and community building are inseparable. I’ll read this again. I hope God uses it to continue to change me for a long time.

[Kyle McManamy]

Quite simply, this book took me from "Gosh, I don't want to ask people to help fund this effort" to "what a great opportunity I have to talk to people about a great mission and vision that is capturing my heart." It's super short and every page is worth reading. Take and model.

[Ray]

An outstanding guide to fundraising for churches, religious groups, and mission-driven organizations.

[Samm Ellingson]

Exactly what I needed in this season. Fundraising or not

[Oksana]

helpful framing for how to go about fundraising