Friends of Sinners ‘Gideon’s 300’ campaign breaks fundraising record

April 17, 2021 | 12:07 am

Updated April 16, 2021 | 11:12 pm

Photo provided

With a new approach to their annual fundraising campaign, Friends of Sinners crushed their goal and set a record for money raised for the nonprofit.

Six years ago, Executive Director Joe Welsh had the idea to ask for 300 people to make a one-time donation of $100 to Friends of Sinners. Welsh was inspired while reading the book of Judges in the Bible, where God used 300 men in the army of Gideon to win victory over a much larger army. 

Welsh decided to call the fundraiser “Gideon’s 300: Less is More Project.” 

In 2018, the campaign brought in nearly $40,000. However, last year it brought in an all-time low of $12,000. 

Welsh and Development Director Jordan Wilson discussed a new tactic this year and decided to do the fundraiser a bit differently. Instead of asking for supporters to give a one-time donation of $100, the nonprofit asked its donors to just give and let God tell them the amount. 

The fundraiser recently concluded with a total of 267 donors and a record $59,552 raised. 

“Of course, we look forward to the donations — we need them in order to offer our services,” Welsh said. “But my favorite part of this fundraiser is the letters of encouragement that people send with their checks. It really reminds me that what we do is a blessing to our community.”

April 17, 2021 | 12:07 am

Share this Article

Other articles you may like