As we near the close of Advent on the Christian calendar, Christmas is just around the corner. During this beautiful season of light and hope, we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord and look forward to the possibilities of the new year. For church leaders, it’s also a time of planning and budgeting for their programs which support the community. Ministries both large and small face many of the same quandaries year after year, due to funding uncertainties and rising costs. Read through for some helpful ideas if you are tasked with managing fundraising and budgeting for your church.

I talk with church leaders about fundraising. The end-of-year holidays are one of the most strategic times for collecting donations. We call it the giving season. Every non-profit ministry in the country will make appeals to the members of their church for financial support. What makes these appeals successful?

In the world of non-profits, including churches, end of the year donations are critical to the financial well-being of the organization. Why? Many individuals and companies wait till year-end to take advantage of tax advantages. By year end they know where they stand financially, how much they can afford to donate and how a donation could actually help them save money in other areas of their finances.