Move your ministry forward.
Thriving congregations often need to raise funds for a specific purpose or ongoing upkeep, whatever works for your ministry. Our experts guide you through how to empower and inspire your congregation to be more. On average, congregations who follow our plan meet or exceed their fundraising goals, and that can make a huge difference in the success of your ministry. If you have the vision, we can help make it a reality.
DCEF provides the know-how you need to execute a successful capital fundraising campaign.
Purpose/Vision
What’s your purpose and vision? How does it relate to your ministry? Remember that people donate to a cause or vision, not to a capital campaign.
Project
What’s the specific project you’re raising money for? Is it for a new building? Or the renovation of an existing facility? Maybe it’s to reduce debt. Whatever the reason, it’s important to clearly communicate the need and how it benefits your ministry.
Campaign theme
How does your theme reflect your ministry and the project overall? And how will your congregation connect to this theme? Having a theme that strikes a chord with your church members is crucial to your campaign’s success.
Campaign timing
A capital fundraising campaign can take up to 12 weeks to complete, so be sure to consider where it best fits into your church calendar. You’re likely to raise more money when there are fewer competing campaigns or priorities for your congregation.
Campaign goal
Setting an appropriate fundraising goal is important. It needs to be just right—not too high or too low. A DCEF advisor can help you set an achievable goal based on several internal and external factors.
Setting a suitable campaign goal can be tough. We can help.
A Disciples Church Extension Fund advisor can help you visualize and set the right fundraising goal based on several key factors, including:
- Participating membership
- Average worship attendance
- Offering income
- Number of giving units
- Financial position of your congregation
- Local economy and recent capital campaigns
- Perceived needs met by the project
- Congregational conflict
- Campaign leadership
Ready to get started on a capital fundraising campaign?
Contact an advisor todayHear from our congregations
"You’re one of those gifts of our covenantal life that too many of us don’t START with. Grateful my congregation had [former DCEF CEO and President Belinda King] in the house long before I arrived in ‘17. What a great capital campaign with a huge project now concluded… and with amazing results! We now house a preschool and counselling center with room to spare. Plus, we are far along in repayment because your terms were so generous. Thankful for all of you!"
Rev. David Chafin
Senior Minister, North Eaton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Grafton, OH
"[Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel] gave us a great feel for what our potential was. We had no idea how much we could raise, but knowing our congregation's size and annual giving, he was able to give us an estimate that helped us determine which projects to include in the campaign. Without his involvement, we don’t know where we would have been."
Mark McMichael
Co-chairman of capital campaign committee
Wakonda Christian Church, Des Moines, IA
"[Senior Director of Services Rev. Richard Williams] said, 'If you do this capital campaign right, it is going to grow your church and increase morale.' I felt skeptical about that, but after experiencing it, he was exactly right. Our members feel ownership over this campaign."
Rev. Megan Huston
Senior Minister
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Bowling Green, Kentucky
"We have been working with [Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel] since 2017. He has been a wonderful guide for so many years and his work with us has been invaluable! We had plans for a large expansion to our church building, only to have them put on hold because of the pandemic. Post-COVID we revised our plans to renovate our kitchen, fellowship hall, sanctuary, and outside grounds. Jim has been with us every step of the way. He's helped us listen to where the Spirit was leading us and ensured that our renovations will help us live out our vision and mission as a church to share the good news of Jesus Christ!"
Rev. David Yonker
Senior Pastor
First Christian Church in Burlington, IA