A Framework for Ethical Fundraising Practices in Nigerian Churches and Para-Church Organisations

Fundraising in Nigerian churches and para-church organisations is characterised by a wide spectrum of practices, ranging from biblically grounded stewardship to manipulative emotional appeals and financial exploitation of vulnerable members. This study develops an ethical fundraising framework for Nigerian churches and para-church organisations, grounded in Christian theology and non-profit fundraising ethics. A framework development methodology was adopted, combining a survey of fundraising practices in 40 Nigerian churches and para-church organisations across Lagos, Kaduna, and Enugu with interviews with fifteen church fundraisers, ten theological educators, and eight financial management professionals with Christian ministry experience. Review of international standards from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and the Non-Profit Alliance of Nigeria provided regulatory benchmarks. Findings reveal that manipulative fundraising appeals, seed-faith coercion, and non-disclosure of fund usage are prevalent in approximately 35 percent of surveyed organisations. Donor trust is significantly lower in organisations with non-transparent fundraising practices. The proposed ethical fundraising framework includes seven principles: truthfulness and accurate representation, freedom from manipulation and coercion, transparent fund allocation, donor rights and privacy, accountability and reporting, proportionate administrative costs, and access by all regardless of financial capacity. Expert review by theological educators and fundraising professionals validated the framework's ethical grounding. Recommendations include adoption by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria as a membership integrity standard.

Keywords: ethical fundraising, church finance, para-church organisations, Nigeria, donor accountability