BriceSokolowski

Think you cannot get excited about asking for donations? That’s what many people are telling me lately (and that thought can be paralyzing!) until they realized that major success often starts by looking at fundraising from adifferent perspective. Looking back, I can see that’s how things unfolded in many other apostolates, too. If you’re starting out or at a crossroads, and you need some help getting excited, I have some excellent advice for you. Check it out: https://www.catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-get-excited-about-fundraising/

This week, multiple people asked me the same question, "How do I fundraising in a poorer parish and community?" This is a genuine concern for many apostolates around the country. Thankfully, I have good news! Over the years, I've come up with a few ideas that work when fundraising in areas that aren't as affluent as others. Check it out: https://www.catholicfundraiser.net/fundraising-in-poorer-parishes-and-communities/ - Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook - Brice Sokolowski is not your typical fundraiser. After enjoying a successful career in technology consulting in various cities (Dallas, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and London) around the world, he left it to help my Catholic diocese in London, England with a fundraising campaign. The campaign went on to raise over $50 million, the largest sum ever raised for the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom. Learning from professional fundraisers, I figured out the basics and then left the diocese to focus on what I love doing most: To help build Catholic charities, parishes, religious orders, and lay aposolates that change the culture and bring people to Our Blessed Lord. — Follow Me Online Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricesokolowski/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catholicfundraiser/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricesoko Website: http://catholicfundraiser.net/

Are you looking for more eyes on your apostolate? If you are, come join me! This week, I discuss the two ways to spread the message of your apostolate. One way is through manual tasks, and the other way leverages free digital tools made available to you today. These are your two options, and can you guess which is better? Learn about these two options to spread the message of your apostolate and help you take your fundraising from a one-time campaign into a sustainable and scalable apostolate. For more information: https://www.catholicfundraiser.net/spread-the-message-catholic-apostolate/

I enjoy fundraising for Catholic apostolates, and I also enjoy helping Catholics run their apostolates. But I think your capital campaigns should serve your mission, not the other way around. Running a capital campaign can be very important; however, a campaign can overwhelm the apostolate's mission and focus. And if you've been reading everything that I send you, I'm all about focusing on the mission WHILE achieving fundraising success - especially with capital campaigns. Check out how I always start my capital campaigns to make sure they (1) are successful and (2) serve the mission:

So, we wrapped up Lent last week... ... which means wrapping up Lenten fundraising appeals. I completed many appeals these past weeks for lay apostolates, religious communities, parishes, and schools. And as always, there were lots of lessons learned. Today, I will focus on whether or not you should apply for secular grants. I discuss the pros and cons and what to consider when looking for funding from grants. - Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook

I recently had dinner with a famous Catholic personality, and we discussed an interesting topic that evening. We discussed the 'art' of building a sustainable Catholic apostolate. It got me thinking about the roadblocks for most people. What do you think is your BIGGEST roadblock? I'm guessing it's FEAR. The fear of asking for donations is a HUGE challenge. So, I thought to share my thoughts on how you can overcome your fears of asking. Check it out:

Engaging with your apostolate's community can be easy when you are starting out. You have time for conversations with everyone (donors and non-donors) and replying to every email and message. As your apostolate grows, though, it can become harder to "keep up" with everyone. You have to find new ways to be available and stay focused on the mission - without having to spend the entire day stuck in your email's inbox! (maybe you are now?!) It sounds counterintuitive, but I realized that as you raise more funds, there's a point when you CANNOT forget the basics. Check the full article here: https://catholicfundraiser.net/the-basics-of-fundraising/

If you're starting to fundraise, here's a critical thing you need to remember: You may feel guilty when asking for donations. It's okay to feel this. I felt guilty at first, but feelings don't equal facts. Would you agree? You are asking because your mission can do so much more with some financial support. So how do you overcome that guilty feeling? Well, that is what this week's lesson is all about. Check it out:

Putting together a great fundraising campaign means knowing how to ask for donations. However, you are likely asking: Why is it SOOOOOO hard to ask for donations? The answer to this question would change your apostolate forever, would you agree? So that's what I did this week. I debunked the mystery as to why it's so hard to ask for donations. Check it out:

You and I both know how successful St Bernard of Clairvaux was in doing the will of God - founded numerous monasteries, composed many written works, advised Popes, and helped reform the Benedictine order. Today, he is a household name among Catholics. He also offered wisdom to anyone wanting to launch an apostolate. This advice is especially pertinent to anyone wanting to run an apostolate and fundraise in today's climate. Check it out: https://catholicfundraiser.net/st-bernard-advice-catholic-apostolate/ - Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook

Have you ever been unsure how to ask someone for a donation? In the first two weeks of the year, this has been the number one question people have asked me. "What do I say?" Today, I'm sharing with you my three best tips on how to ask for donations. You will likely be surprised by what I recommend. You may even completely disregard my advice! Oh well... let's see if you agree or not: http://bit.ly/3ahWKJC - Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook -

I have a friend who is launching a Catholic apostolate who wants to raise funds. But he’s hit a small stumbling block... He’s never asked for donations, and he has ZERO donors. He asked what I suggested so he can start fundraising in the New Year and raise funds fast. Here’s what I suggested he do: My top fundraising recommendations for 2021:

“What is the best way NOT to annoy people when asking for donations?” I get asked this question a LOT. Many people get hung up on this question when they’re starting their apostolate, and I get it! The last thing you want to do is ANNOY someone. I can answer this question in two ways. First, you have to look at what annoys people. Then, you look at what does not annoy people. You should know about essential information, and you’re better off thinking about this BEFORE you start sending appeal letters. Here’s what I mean: https://catholicfundraiser.net/how-to-annoy-people-when-fundraising/ - Get your free e-book on how to fundraiser here: http://catholicfundraiser.net/ - Get your Purchase Alms: http://bit.ly/almsbook - Brice Sokolowski is not your typical fundraiser. After enjoying a successful career in technology consulting in various cities (Dallas, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and London) around the world, he left it to help my Catholic diocese in London, England with a fundraising campaign. The campaign went on to raise over $50 million, the largest sum ever raised for the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom. Learning from professional fundraisers, I figured out the basics and then left the diocese to focus on what I love doing most: To help build Catholic charities, parishes, religious orders, and lay aposolates that change the culture and bring people to Our Blessed Lord. — Follow Me Online Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricesokolowski/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catholicfundraiser/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricesoko Website: http://catholicfundraiser.net/

Advent is here – we made it! While this year has been challenging for you and me, Advent reminds us that Jesus is coming – THANK YOU, LORD! You are likely putting the finishing touches on your end of the year appeal letter. Here’s how I am writing my end of the year appeal letter, and you might want to try it as well. 3 Tips – Writing an End of the Year Appeal Letter