Evangeline Pattison, VP of Client Services & Senior Consultant
If you work in fundraising—especially in a ministry or nonprofit setting—you know it’s not just about dollars and deadlines. At least, not really.
What we’re doing is something much deeper. We’re inviting people to live generously. And over time, I’ve come to believe this: Giving isn’t just something people do—it’s part of who they are. And helping them live into that identity? That’s sacred work.
A Different Way to See Giving
It’s easy to slip into thinking of giving as a one-time act: a year-end gift, a campaign commitment, a response to a need. But giving is so much more than a transaction. It’s an expression of values. Of purpose. Of hope.
Most of the people we talk to as fundraisers aren’t waiting to be “sold” on an idea. They’re looking for meaningful ways to live out the kind of life they already want to live—one that’s generous, intentional, and connected to something bigger than themselves.
This idea is captured in one of the Taking Donors SeriouslyⓇ principles that we base our work on at The FOCUS Group: Giving is a way of life. When we remember that, our role in fundraising shifts. We’re not here to persuade. We’re here to walk alongside. To listen. To offer clarity and connection. To help people live generously in a way that feels like a natural outflow of who they are.
It’s Not Just About the Gift—It’s About the Giver
One of the things I love most about this work is that generosity looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a transformative financial gift. For others, it’s offering their time, influence, or creativity. And for many, it’s the quiet, consistent support that keeps a mission going behind the scenes.
No matter what form it takes, the heart behind generosity is the same: people want to make a difference. As fundraisers, we have the privilege of helping them do just that. At The FOCUS Group, we approach this through relational fundraising—rooted in the belief that each of us has a redemptive role to play in the work God is doing. He is the ultimate Giver, and He invites us to join Him. Our role is to faithfully share the mission God has entrusted to us and extend an invitation for others to partner in that calling.
That’s what I find so meaningful. Our work isn’t just about funding the mission (though that’s important!). It’s about connecting people to the mission. Giving becomes a way for them to invest in something they believe in—and to become a deeper part of the story.
When Fundraising Feels Heavy
Let’s be honest—this work can be challenging. There are seasons when the calls feel slow, when the budget gap looms large, or when we feel like we’re asking more than we’re receiving.
In those moments, I remind myself: I’m not just raising money—I’m sewing seeds of connection that, over time, God will grow for his purposes. That takes time. It takes trust. It takes showing up again and again with care, curiosity, and conviction.
And it starts with me. When I live generously—through encouragement, presence, time, and yes, my own giving—it naturally shapes how I invite others into the same life.
Generosity Is a Journey
Giving isn’t a finish line. It’s a rhythm. A way of showing up in the world. And for those of us called to this work, that means we get to walk alongside others as they discover what generosity looks like in their life.
Sometimes we’ll see the fruit. Sometimes we won’t. But every conversation, every note, every shared story is a seed. And those seeds matter more than we often realize.
So, if you’re feeling tired, unseen, or unsure if what you’re doing is making a difference, let me just say this: it is making a difference.
You’re helping people live generously. You’re reminding them that giving isn’t a one-time act—it’s a way of life. And that is beautiful, meaningful work.
We’ve been privileged to help many organizations be more effective in their fundraising by learning and implementing relational fundraising principles in their work with donors. Want to talk?