Step 6: Select Ways to Raise Gift Dollars

Gifts of cash are the primary focus of each solicitation. Always the quickest route to reaching the goal, cash gifts can be solicited directly from the donor, either as a lump sum gift or as a gift payable over a period of time. The majority of new pipe organ funds are raised after signing the contract with the organ builder, and the committee can determine the length of time appropriate for gift payments-to coincide with the organ builder's payment schedule. While the bulk of the organ fund goal is most often reached only through sizable gifts of cash from individuals, the organ fundraising committee may consider other ways to raise gift dollars, as described below. During the identification and evaluation period before the actual campaign begins, consideration should be given to the several ways to raise gift dollars.

Financing the Organ

Some congregations choose to borrow all or a portion of the cost (usually one-third) from other church funds, from banks, from church members, or from other churches with large endowments. In at least one instance, a congregation borrowed a nest egg amount and gave it to investors to multiply into a larger amount. Often the amount borrowed is tied to the organ builder's payment schedule and paid back as the gifts are raised from the donors.

Using Bonds to Raise the Funds

While not frequently encountered in church-related fundraising, the issuance of bonds earning interest may become a worthwhile consideration. One successful church campaign included the use of two hundred "Organ Notes" bearing a face value of $5oo, earning 6% simple annual interest. The holders of these notes could donate the interest
earned each year, for a tax deduction, accumulate interest payments and donate them all at the same time, donate all or a portion of the amount loaned when the note became due, or collect the total principal and interest, without making a donation.

Challenge Gift

The organ fundraising committee should consider a challenge gift to spur others to give. Often the donor of a sizable gift will agree to match other gifts within a particular period of time. A challenge gift could become an effective part of the campaign strategies and plans.

Interest Income

Interest income from early gifts is a reliable way to raise additional funds, providing a significant percentage of the total raised. It is important to focus early on donors who have the potential to give large gifts; these early gifts can produce an extra margin of interest income.

Gifts of Property

While some donors can't contribute much money, they might be able to give gifts of real estate, art works, rare books, etc. Prior to the campaign, the organ fundraising committee should determine how such gifts will be accepted and liquidated.

Bequests and Wills

An organ drive is a good time to educate church members to the effectiveness of including the organ fund in their wills, for a specific gift amount, for a percentage of the total worth of the estate, or for the entire estate. Other forms of planned or deferred giving could also become part of the solicitation strategies. Individuals often create deferred gifts, through their own advisors and lawyers, by including the organ fund in their wills, establishing a charitable remainder trust, and through other bequest provisions. Bankers, investment advisors, and lawyers in the church can establish an ad hoc advisory board to safeguard the interests of the church while providing counsel and advice to the donors.

Special Offerings

Most churches only raise modest funds through special offerings, but they find them a reliable way to regularly claim the congregation's attention. Special offerings tied to concerts and music programs, "Pennies for Pipes" jars, and monthly pew envelopes are such possibilities. Collections based upon the parable of the loaves and fishes (weekly or monthly contributions equal to the cost of a loaf of bread and a piece of fish) have been used. One congregation discovered that during the Depression members in their church sold the eggs which their chickens laid on Sundays and contributed that income to a church project; current members decided to contribute for a certain period of time interest income earned on Sundays from investment "nest eggs." Another church divided the total number of Doxology notes into their organ fund goal; each Sunday the organist played only those notes which were "paid for," indicating the weekly progress of the organ fund.

Souvenir Pipes

When an old organ is dismantled to make room for a new one, selling parts of the old organ can raise additional funds. Likewise, naming specific parts of the new organ as memorial or tribute gifts is equally effective in generating gifts.

Many churches use a variety of projects to raise gift income. Dinners, car washes, bake sales, rummage sales, silent auctions, cook books, raffles, holiday wreaths and wrapping paper, recycling bins, paper drives, ice cream socials, flower arranging sales, and craft fairs have figured in many.

Single Donor

In some instances, churches discover that a new pipe organ may be donated entirely by a single donor. Such an act is often the response to an opportunity to name the organ in memory or in tribute to an individual or family.