Advance Your Church's Mission: Purchase Technology from an Affinity Marketer

Many churches today are embracing technology. Their leaders recognize the role technology plays in communicating with current members and reaching new members –especially tech-centric Generation Xs and Ys. They understand the importance of the Internet, mobile phones, iPods, laptops, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and video-conferencing technologies in communicating their message, recording and broadcasting sermons, supporting their missionaries in the field, and advancing their overall missions. What many churches do not fully realize, however, is how to leverage both their technology purchases as well as those of their purchases of their members to raise much needed funds to support operations, building campaigns and other development requisites. This is an especially important lesson at a time when the percentage of income congregants are giving across many churches is reported to be down according to findings of the Christian Stewardship Association. Through affinity marketing partnerships, churches can acquire the technology they need, encourage their congregations to do the same, and concurrently receive funds stemming from all of these purchases. Understanding how affinity marketing works and how to optimize an affinity marketing partnership is critical for churches grappling with challenging economic conditions and declining donations.

“Affinity Marketing 101”
Every church and a large percentage of their congregations have phones. Many even have wireless phones, Internet service and other technologies which they use regularly. Let’s say your church is dissatisfied with its long distance service provider and wants to make a change. You can elect to purchase your service from Company A, a traditional telecommunications company or Company B, an affinity marketer whose products and services include long distance service. If you choose the former, you buy the service, get billed every month and pay your bill. If you choose the latter, you buy the service, get billed every month and also get a check every month for a portion of that sale. The percentage will depend on the affinity marketer, but the numbers are as high as 10%. Just think about it. For as long as you have that phone service, your church is getting back 10% on every bill and related purchase from that affinity marketing partner.

Want to raise more funds? Consider other products or services the affinity marketer provides and purchase those from this company to receive even more revenue.

Want to raise even more funds? Inform your congregation of the products and services available, such as wireless phone service, credit card, cable television, HDTV, etc., and request they consider purchasing that product or service from one of your affinity marketing partners. Remind members, the cost won’t be any higher and they will be supporting your church because, for each of their purchases, there will be a “give back” to the church