2026 Organisational Development & Fundraising Network
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This Network's annual curriculum will focus on helping leaders learn how to resource their ministry through development and fundraising, using a variety of biblically-based principles. Our ability to minister is directly impacted by the viability of the organisation we represent. Highly successful ministries have taken time to build infrastructure to support the fulfillment of mission. Our vision for impact will be proportional to how effective we are in building on a firm foundation sufficient to withstand the storms of change.
Sessions in this Network are designed to provide practical steps, tools, and resources to enable your organisation to grow and flourish. Each session will be a "working session" with notes, discussion, and action steps on how to develop each idea.
The Network will be taught by Greg Long, CEO and Lead Developer for and The NonProfit Authority, LLC and the Certified Development Professional (CDP) program.
Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "This year I attended the Organisational Development and Fundraising Network. I'm responsible for a youth festival in Poland, and I hoped to learn how we could broaden our reach so that God could change more lives. For me, being here is also a blessing for the event and the hundreds of young people who visit the festival. I did not have to wait long to see and receive fruits from being here. Because of my network, I gained a new connection in just one day that will help the festival grow. It would not be possible without your sacrifice."
- Łukasz Wakula, Festival Organiser, Poland - "The Organisational Development and Fundraising Network sessions equip me by giving me ideas and tools for how to develop our organisation and its fundraising initiatives in a God-honouring way. I have learned a lot of new information and am at the same time building a network of other Europeans who share the same challenges and blessings in similar ministries."
- Edita Ulcina, Executive Director of Spolocenstvo Evanjelia, Slovakia - "I am responsible for the financials in my organisation. In the Forum’s Organisational Development and Fundraising Network, I am learning deep truths about how part of fundraising is about building meaningful relationships and developing them according to the Great Commission of Christ. I am also learning about how to become a better, more faithful steward. I have found this Network immensely helpful."
- Gabor Racz-Schliszka, Vice President of Reformatus Fiatalok Szovetsege, Hungary
Applicants should be those individuals interested in learning how to do development and fundraising through a variety of biblically-based principles.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Gregory (Greg) Long is an author, speaker, consultant, and church elder. His 35+ years of ministry leadership & fundraising experience steeps every conversation and presentation – including mistakes! He has taught non-profit leadership and management at the undergraduate and graduate levels… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 17 May
Organisational development is more about relationships than it is donations and fundraising. And, just like our own relationships, our volunteers, donors, and partners are in different places in their relationship with our ministry. This session will set a firm foundation on the importance of not just being good stewards of donations, but also being a God-honoring steward of the donor.
In this session, we will cover the importance of having a long-term vision and mission for your ministry. Most ministries do not have a well-conceived, organised strategic direction. But a strategic plan is so much more than words on a page. It provides a roadmap for relationships so everyone involved in your ministry, including staff, board, trustees, volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders, all know what the journey is – and more importantly, where they can join you on the journey.
Monday, 18 May
Casting your ministry’s vision is essential in building relationships with donors and future donors. This session will help you craft an early draft of your Case for Support. Once it is developed, it can be used in proposals, presentations, social media, and other mediums, ensuring your message is consistent and clear. Your Case for Support will build your confidence as you invite people to join you in your ministry.
The process of asking someone for time, treasure, and talent can be intimidating. Many ministry leaders feel confident about their Gospel message, and are still fearful of asking for money. This session will introduce the five steps to Solicitation and how to invite people to become partners with you in ministry. Part of this discussion will include strategies for database management and relationship building.
Tuesday, 19 May
This session will finish up the five-step Solicitation process. Special emphasis will be placed on the actual process of asking for donations. We will also cover strategies designed to help sustain our donor relationships for the long term.
Also called a Chart of Accounts, or Giving Pyramid, this tool is a valuable resource for you to plan campaigns and annual fund drives. Using your current database and donor information, you can build a Chart that will strengthen relationships and help you prioritise how to invest your time. The Chart will also help communicate to your Board, staff, volunteers, and donors.
Wednesday, 20 May
“What God is doing in our ministry is the world’s best-kept secret.” Sound familiar? As a leader in organisational ministry, how do we communicate what we are doing in a God-honoring away? Communication is so much more than fancy media, expensive materials, and pamphlets. This session will discuss how to communicate your impact in a way that gives glory to God and can encourage others to participate with your ministry.
Your ministry is guided by a calendar. Your events, ministry outings, trainings, outreaches, and staff days are all on a calendar. Your Development & Fundraising activities need to be on a calendar, too. The calendar will help identify opportunities for growth, as well as potential staffing and volunteer needs, so your ministry can plan accordingly. Each participant will see an example of an effective Development calendar, including fundraising events, newsletters, donor gatherings, and other activities.