Why nonprofits could be your best collaborators

Have you ever overheard a congregation member talking about giving to a nonprofit and felt slighted? 

After all, your church could use that money just as much, right? 

That may not be the best way to look at it. Viewing nonprofits as competition instead of as collaborators creates silos that are harmful to God’s Kingdom. 

Don’t fall into the trap of trying to compete with organizations that stand for the same principles your church does. 

Anything that sparks a passion for expanding God’s Kingdom should be celebrated, not rejected. 

The power of shared mission, resources, and vision

Holding feelings of competition with nonprofits comes from a scarcity mindset when what we should be focusing on is abundance.

When a member of your congregation donates to a nonprofit aligned with God’s vision, that is a reason to rejoice. That means that member is being moved by the Holy Spirit to take action on their beliefs. 

Instead of having a close-fisted mindset about how and where our congregation is giving, we must open our hands and remember that God will move through them however he wishes to.

Be prepared to examine how you're talking about giving

Even with the mindset that nonprofits should be collaborators instead of competitors, there is still an opportunity to ask yourself: why do these members of my flock feel more comfortable giving to a nonprofit than they do giving to the church?

It could be that you’re missing the mark when addressing the topic of giving. That’s not to say members giving elsewhere is always a sign of this—only you know if this applies to your unique situation. 

But the thing to remember is that donations that align with God’s vision should be celebrated, no matter where they go. 

Action Items: 

1. Tell the stories connected to giving to nonprofits

If you hear about one of your members giving to a nonprofit, that can be an ideal spotlight for talking about the importance of breaking silos and embracing collaboration.

Those stories also point directly to what God can do through us when we’re obedient to his directions.

2. Don’t be afraid to introduce members to nonprofits 

Avoid operating from a scarcity mindset. Connecting members to nonprofits aligned with God’s vision does not mean less for you. It’s all toward the same goal. 

Open your hand and see what God does.

3. Invest in building partnerships with nonprofits

You can build bridges with nonprofits to follow up on the impact of donations from church members, leading to a stronger community presence and a greater reach for God’s Kingdom. 

Tearing down the wall between churches and nonprofits is essential for Kingdom effectiveness. When we collaborate, we complete each other's missions. 

Lean into the potential of growing relationships instead of putting up fences. Because that is what we are called to do.

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