Step 8: Produce Fundraising Publications

Campaign publications inform prospective donors of the need for a new organ, describe the scope of the campaign, and provide periodic updates on the progress of the organ fund.

Early campaign plans should include careful consideration of the use of Sunday bulletins for updates, progress charts conspicuously posted, and a special campaign newsletter and progress reports along with interesting and motivating stories about the organ fundraising committee, the organ itself, the organ builder, etc.

An important campaign publication is the case statement brochure, which literally makes the case" for the new organ, through a narrative which includes several important elements: history of the old organ, evaluation of the old organ, the need for a new organ, the process of selecting a new organ, description of new organ with pictures, history of organ builder, cost of the new organ, fundraising plan, committee, timetable, etc, asking for a gift, ways to make a gift to the organ fund.

Obviously, the case for support should be drafted by someone with full knowledge of the organ and the fundraising process. After revisions, additions, corrections, etc, by the organ committee and/or the organ fundraising committee, a final edited version will serve as the basis for the printed case for support.

The case statement and other publications should be attractive (not to be confused with expensive) and concise. Remember, most potential donors will devote only a few minutes of reading time to your materials. Loading them with stacks of diverse publications will likely ensure that they throw them all in the trash.

Other campaign publications will include pledge cards, materials for volunteer solicitors to use, written proposals, thank you letters, etc. Of course, with the presence of desk-top publication possibilities, many churches-or church members-have the capacity to produce economical and
imaginative publications to serve the campaign.