Where can I get $1 million to fulfill a dream God gave me?

Dan Miller —  March 18, 2013 — 10 Comments

A 48 Days Podcast listener asked where she could get $1 million to create a major ministry event in her community.

Her questions included:  Where does someone get this kind of money? I have prayed about this, the dream won’t go away.  But the money isn’t falling out of the clouds either.

I have talked to a professional fundraiser and he told me since I have no history in this business, no one would Money -- Bag Fullcontribute to this. I talked to a woman who is in business to find sponsors for major musical events and she said the same thing.

The city told me they didn’t have that kind of money for this sort of thing.  I talked to the city manager and he smiled and said “that’s nice, keep me posted. ‘

I make a small salary and live check to check, there is no savings.  My credit card won’t hold that amount either. And at my age I don’t want to owe the money to anyone.   Dreamin Christine

My answer:

Christine, Wow – I applaud your enthusiasm.  But my response is going to be much like what you’ve already received.  In as much as I love new ideas – and certainly big ideas – I just don’t see why anyone would want to put the money up for this.  If you had the money you could just go ahead and do it.  But for someone else to “donate” or “invest” is quite a different scenario.  If someone is going to donate they are going to have to believe that this is an endeavor that surpasses all the other worthy causes we see daily.  

  • Is this more important than providing fresh water to starving people in Africa or saving teenage girls from sex slavery?  
  • Does this outweigh the benefits to our community of having a new playground for underprivileged kids?
  • Are they going to get enough marketing exposure to outweigh a series of ads on local TV?  
  • If someone is going to invest – what is your revenue model for giving them a big return?  

Here in Nashville we have Opryland Hotel and they do an amazing Christmas show every year.  It attracts thousands of people and takes them months in advance to set it up.  I would encourage you to find a similar organization and event where you are and volunteer to be involved.  That will give you some firsthand experience and an opportunity to build your credibility to maybe do an event of your own in the future.  

Dreaming is certainly a first step in doing something extraordinary – but then comes building a plan that you can execute.  

Keep your enthusiasm high and just redirect it to a plan you can make a reality.

In Business Start-Up, Wisdom meets Passion , , , , ,
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  • Dazed

    ‘Just some ideas for broke dreamers:

    Write the business plan for the event out on paper to get it out of your head for the time being. Check out kickstarter.com. Network with faith-based* organizations in your area, help them with their projects, ‘pay your dues’ and learn about what it takes to plan a big event in the interim. After some time has passed and relationships built, share your vision with these like-minded groups but don’t be pushy. I would think since you helped them, they MAY be motivated to help you fine-tune and launch your project, or at the very least, connect you with others that might be more help. It may take awhile to get off the ground, it may start small, it may be a small event for awhile.Or maybe on the path you’ll drop your idea, but be a resource to help someone else later with a similar idea. (*=insert your area of focus here)

  • Nate Gasser

    I’d ask “What’s the biggest thing you can do right now that looks like the thing you’re dreaming about?” If it’s a ministry event, how about holding a 1-day event at your own church, and getting people you know to speak? Maybe you can get 50 people to come. Then do another one and charge $20 to attend and pay to have a well-known keynote speaker come. Maybe you’ll get 150 people. If you prove to yourself and to others that you can handle the logistics to pull it off, and handle the marketing to fill the room, you’re on your way.

  • http://kimanziconstable.com/ kimanzi constable

    I like the Kickstarter idea that was already mentioned here. Great answer to a hard question Dan.

  • http://www.findingyourvoiceradio.com/ Joel Boggess

    The challenge she is facing is not unfamiliar with the challenges of others worthwhile causes.

    The advice you gave her to volunteer is a great way to get behind-the-scenes information. If she does that, then the opportunity becomes – how can I take what I’ve learned and tweak it to fit.

  • http://zenartandillustration.wordpress.com/ Raven Burnes

    Nate, I love your idea for this person. That is a great way to approach any big goal I think – we can’t be too good for Baby Steps.

  • Christ-Chaser

    Christine,

    I am very new to this site. I received the e mail via crosswalk.com and was disappointed in the practical advice given to you. We have an amazing God who is huge and mysterious. If we could understand Him, we wouldn’t need Him and could reduce Him to the size of our biggest problem. I, too, had a dream of a very expensive event that our community and family did not have the resources for. We believed that God would implement what He wanted to do and we were grateful that He used us. God really did supply over $20,000 in five weeks for a three day concert event in a very rural town. If God is the One giving you the passion, just hang in there. He will see His plan to completion. The very cool thing is that He invites us along for the ride.

    I know this is a very drastic view of what has already been given to you. But, I don’t want a God that fits my understanding. Walk by faith and trust that God will invite you when you are trusting Him. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:7. I would say your first questions is to ask God if this is what He wants. If so, trust Him to fulfill it in His timing.

    • http://www.joshuabfarrell.com/ JB Farrell

      Often God trains us with smaller amounts, so we learn how to handle larger amounts. Think of how Joseph was trained first in Potiphar’s house then running a large prison, so He had the skills to step into and be successful in his real calling.

      I think Dan is pointing out that starting out wanting a million dollars without experience and training to handle it could lead to devastating results for Christine. Perhaps she can find someone already doing part of what she envisions; then she can learn build relationships and refine the execution of the vision she has.

  • In His grip

    Christine,

    We had a similar problem many years ago where our church needed to raise funds to cover some large unexpected building fund shortages. Several of us in our Sunday School class decided on an outdoor Christian summer concert. We put together several local Christian music acts, and several ministers to have a short uplifting message between the stage changes for the bands. Between the joint equipment of the bands, we had enough sound system to handle the event. We created lights out of 2×4′s for the poles and some colored flood lights. We had a local trucking company loan us two flatbed trailers parked side by side to give us our stage. We asked the local churches to loan us their tables and chairs. Our Church had a softball field where the concert was held. We put paper tablecloths on the tables and asked folks from all the local churches to come. There was a price for the reserved seating at the tables, and a general admission fee for folks that wanted to sit on blankets or bring their own lawn chairs. Everyone was invited to bring their own basket dinner. We served cokes and ice tea for those that wanted it. At the end we asked for a love offering for all of the participants, band members and ministers. The sale of soft drinks and the sale of the admission tickets, did not bring in millions of dollars, but it brought in thousands. Much more than we had expected. Our initial outlay of funds was I think $300.00.

    This was not put together by one person, but a total of 8 to 10 of us, each handling our own part. I do not know what you want to do, or where you want to do it, but get some of your church members together and start out small. Ask for people to contribute to your cause by providing something you need, as in chairs and tables, not a contribution of cash. Then provide them a few tickets as a thank you. You can build and grow every year, providing more services, and in doing so you can gain recognition of some of the nay-sayers and possibly change their minds.

    In Psalms 27:14 it says” Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage” The word WAIT does not mean sit around and wait for something to happen. It means prepare, like you are a waitress at a restaurant, prepare and take action to make it happen. You will be surprised as to all the Lord will provide for you while you are working on the $1 million dollar event.

  • janice

    Mary said to the angel Be it done unto me according to your WORD. If God truly spoke to you than he will also show you the way. It may come bit by bit. Remember when he gave Noah instructions about building the boat it was exact dimensions and everything same when he wanted his temple built… He will give you instruction and it will be according to His words/ways/principles/ you won’t have to take from anyone you won’t have to compete with anyone… He will provide..Write it down so that the one who reads it will be able to run with it. God will not leave you or lead you into some kind of mystery tour!!! Life is an exciting journey and it will be fun so rejoice and do not grumble or complain stay focused and seek Him first because the steps of a good man/woman are ordered by Him and we have been predestined to walk in good works if we choose to walk in His ways…We are loved by a King and He knows our name and has given each of us a purpose and a plan and it is a good one!

  • Thomas

    What about if everyone who was a USA citizen in the last census was given one million dollars by any of the billionaires in the USA with no catch. It would take approximatly 3 billion to give everyone who is not a millionaire! What could this do to help the economy and feed hungry people and so much more!!!! Think about it.