Historically, the Judeo-Christian tradition has paired faith and charity. Since all church programs —— whether traditional or related to outreach —— require funding, the new publication Proven Principles for Finding Funds explores the many revenue sources that churches need to consider. Author Chester Tolson uses an anecdotal style to raise the consciousness of those responsible for church budgets and fundraising efforts by introducing the reader to the tried-and-true methods he has found effective throughout his career. His emphasis is on the "stewardship-driven" church, and he writes from a Christian perspective, generously sprinkling Bible verses throughout the text to provide further justification for giving. Religious parables are also used to support his strong belief in the principle of tithing.

Tolson is an ordained pastor with forty years' experience in fundraising. He has worked with the Crystal Cathedral and the Presbyterian Church and has headed his own fundraising group in California. He currently serves as the executive director of Churches Uniting in Global Mission. His perspective as a minister, combined with his success as a fundraiser, lends him the authority to tackle the timely topic of fundraising in the church. Proven Principles for Finding Funds has even been endorsed by a number of high-profile ministers from different Christian denominations, including Robert E. Schuller.

The author brings his premise up to date by discussing how motivations for giving have been influenced by 9/11. As people look to express their natural desire to make a difference, they often focus their charity on a church because of their strong emotional ties to congregational programs, missions, or ceremonies. "The subject of fund-raising is bound up in what people believe about giving. Giving makes fund-raising happen and giving has enormous spiritual overtones," Tolson writes. One of the most detailed and helpful chapters is the one on planned giving. Here Tolson discusses wills, life insurance, and charitable remainder trusts as promising conduits for the transfer of funds from the individual to the church. He also presents a good discussion on endowment funds. And while graphics and illustrations are sparse, they aren't really necessary to enhance the text. More useful is the assessment template, provided as a tool for strategic planning.

Tolson summarizes the book's contents well, highlighting salient points and offering tips on mistakes to avoid. Nevertheless, while the book is thorough, it relies more on the author's personal experiences than on statistical information and surveys, and the sources cited are minimal. Even so, this book should prove a valuable resource for beginning fundraisers as well as those with some experience. Punctuated with Christian references and terminology, the useful, basic instruction here could be applicable for non-Christians alike if the preaching element can be ignored.

For citations to other materials on this topic, refer to the Literature of the Nonprofit Sector Online, using the subject heading "Religion-fundraising."