Several years ago, the leadership of First Pres began exploring what a revitalization of its church facilities might look like. While blessed with a prime location and beautiful, historic buildings, the aging facilities needed renovation and expansion. It became abundantly clear that the Lord was leading toward a plan to improve efficiencies, to accommodate growth, and to increase gospel impact in downtown Chattanooga and beyond.

We love these short, small group retreats because we’ve been impacted ourselves by the earnest, vulnerable settings, and we’ve also watched donors flourish as they encourage one another in generosity.

In the nonprofit world, fundraising is often viewed through a transactional lens. We identify a need, communicate the impact, and invite donors to invest in the cause. But fundraising can, and should, be so much more—especially in our churches!

At Canaan Group & Associates, we often run into people—mature, faithful Christ-followers—who view fundraising work as an either/or.

Canaan Group & Associates has been honored to partner with The Maclellan Foundation since 2020. The Chattanooga-based foundation isn’t one of our typical nonprofit or church clients. Instead, we work with the foundation to support its grantee organizations.

Board members not only help steer the ship from the helm; they’re also the flags flying proudly that identify the ship and encourage passengers to come aboard.

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In relational fundraising, listening to hear is a fundamental skill. If you think about it, it might seem like a manipulative tactic: practice being a really good listener so that people like talking to you and want to give to your organization. However, this isn’t what we’re encouraging. Instead, listening to hear completely removes manipulation from the picture.

In 2024, Spring Run called on CGChurch to gather congregational feedback on a proposed building expansion and renovation project.

While successful meetings with donors are worth celebrating, what happens after the visit makes or breaks a donor-fundraiser relationship.

Canaan Group & Associates began working with Oak Hill Classical School in 2023 when the school realized they needed more space.

What is our true mission and vision? Can we define it succinctly and clearly? Why do we desire growth?

Enjoying the work of fundraising—the actual doing of it, not only the idea of it—is essential for the long-term flourishing of a fundraiser.

CG&A began working with Tennessee Valley Presbytery in 2017 and since then, TVP's annual contributions have grown by over 430%. We are honored to be partnering with this church planting initiative for the past seven years.

Does your organization have a board rotation schedule? Do your bylaws call for one?

CG&A began working with ECS in 2012 and has been one of our longest-partnering clients, leading to extensive growth and stability for the school.

While our culture often talks about burnout, work-life balances, and healthy habits, it lacks a biblical understanding of work and rest.

CG&A team member John Bates began working with The Beth in June 2022, teaching their development team the CG&A tools of fundraising.

CCS originally joined the CG&A family in January 2022; the school is making strides in sharing its vision and inviting its community along in their mission.

The thank-you note is a vital cultivation step with your donor base, but a blank note can be intimidating. Here's where to start.