Canvass Resources to Create Generous Congregations

When the annual canvass season rolls around, we can use all the help we can get. Here's a rundown on books that will help canvass and capital campaign committees and others be equal to the task of fundraising. These books help congregational leaders to look at fundraising not as a burdensome annual chore but as an opportunity to help members deepen their faith by giving to the church's mission and vision rather than simply to meet its budgetary needs. The titles listed below are available from the UUA Bookstore at 800-215-9076.

Creating Congregations of Generous People, by Michael Durall, whose CommonWealth Consulting Group is available to consult with congregations in establishing and sustaining effective stewardship programs. Durall argues that many annual pledge drives inadvertently perpetuate low-level and same-level giving. Understanding why people come to church can help us create a climate for increased generosity that, in turn, can strengthen people's religious lives. Alban, 2000. #7018 $13.95

Asking Makes a Difference, by Jerald King, a UUA fundraising consultant. This resource puts annual canvass planning on a year-round timetable. Comes with a computer disk of materials that can be customized for your congregation. King encourages congregations to vary the style of asking every two to three years and to allow time--three to four years--for a new attitude about giving to take root. Jerald King, 2000. #7020 $39.95

Budgets with A Mission, by Jerald King. Congregations often conduct successful fundraisers for special projects, yet find it difficult to raise the necessary funds for the operating budget. This resource explores how to increase membership involvement to ensure stable, continuing support. Jerald King, 1996. #4027 $14.95

Fundraising with a Vision: A Canvass Guide for Congregations, by Edward Landreth. Offers practical guidelines for anyone who cares about raising money to fund a church vision. Based on the belief that fundraising is deeply affected by a congregation's vision of what it wants to be, this guide provides background and step-by-step tips for planning and running a well-organized annual canvass. UUA, 1997. #7250 $25

Fiscal Therapy for the Liberal Church, by Fia Scheyer. Advice to improve the fiscal health of your congregation. Topics include the fiscal exam, religious giving, stewardship, recruiting, the canvass schedule, volunteer leadership, planned giving, endowments, and more. Trillium Books, 1997. Contact Trillium Books, 334 Jim Corbin Rd, Franklin NC 28734, or find a copy anywhere books are sold. $14

The Rev. Terry Sweetser, special assistant to the UUA president for the Campaign for Unitarian Universalism and a former UUA fundraising consultant, has created two fundraising videos.

Giving Voice to Our Vision (video). Companion video to Fundraising with a Vision. Depicts canvasser training, kick-off events, pulpit testimomials, and a real canvass visit. Filmed at congregations in Massachusetts, Maine, and Ohio. UUA, 1998. VHS 14 mins. #7001 $6.00

Dream Canvass: Funding YOUR Dream (video). Sweetser educates congregations to think and talk differently about giving and motivates them to turn canvass visions into a "dream campaign." Ballou Channing District, 1999. VHS 60 min. #7064 $30.00