Budget season always brings anxiety.
Maybe you have never looked at your budget or you're staring at next year’s numbers wondering, “How am I going to make this work?”
Or maybe you’ve already heard the words no one wants to hear:
“We’re making cuts.”
I’ve been there — multiple times. When I started out in ministry I had no clue what I was doing, and really never worried about it. But in 2008 during the recession and finances were a concern I started to look at things closely.
Over the years I've experienced moments when budgets have been cut, and increased and even frozen. During each of those moments I had to know:
What matters most in our budget?
The temptation when budgets are tight or cuts are necessary is to start slashing the “extras”:
Leadership training
Professional development
Volunteer appreciation
But I’ve learned (the hard way) that those are the very things you should fight to keep.
Why? Because people — not programs — are what make ministry thrive.
When I look back at the hardest seasons of ministry, they were often made harder because I wasn’t investing in myself or my leaders. In the end I was tired, burned out and struggling because we had lost sight of the fact that when people are equipped the challenges we face in ministry are met with confidence and compentency.
Sure, when budgets are tight we need to cut back and scale down but not to the point where it starves the people who carry your ministry forward.
If you find yourself in a situation where the budget is tight, instead of panicking consider:
"Fundraisers should help, not hijack your ministry."
Focus on low-overhead, high-yield efforts. In other words, if your fundraiser takes time away from what you are doing your regular ministry, then it might not be worth the payoff. If fundraising is necessary, invite people who love organizing events or have experience in this area to lead the charge.
And if that's not possible encourage your team to engage in:
Talk to your business manager and pastor about different things you are able to do, so that you don't create a competing campaign with other ministries in the parish or diocese.
Maybe people are unable to give financially, but can supply you with resources, food or other areas of support. If you have a camp (e.g.Vacation Bible School) or a mission trip that is coming up see if there are parishioners and businesses in your area that will donate, or sponsor certain items.
Many business have a line item to donate and support ministries and non-profits. We had a local ice cream shop that would always provide free froze treats to our student leaders at the end of our camps. We had a local butcher shop donate turkeys for our Thanksgiving Drive. There are businesses who want to help, and have planned giving in their budget — they just need to be asked.
Grant writing might feel like something that's above your pay scale but it is accessible. I have a friend who teaches and every year is applying for grants so she can buy books and supplies for her students. There are grants out there for:
Supplies
Projects
Technology
Service Initiatives
If you’re new to this world, don’t go it alone. See if there is someone in your congregation or diocese that has grant writing experience. Connect with Catholic foundations, or even ministry networks to connect you to the right sources.
Regardless of where you get your funds, make sure you revisit your mission and vision. Especially, if you are going to ask for grants, scholarships or donations you need to have clarity around why your ministry exists. People give towards people, they give towards projects and even programs when their is a clear and compelling vision attached.
Remember, money is a tool — not the goal.
This is where you ask:
What are we really about?
How do we still move towards that mission creatively and faithfully?
From September 29 to October 2, 2025, Marathon Youth Ministry will be cohosting an event with the people from TENx10, Youth Cartel and the McGrath Institute for Church Life, where we'll be helping ministry leaders Dream Youth Ministry's Future (To learn more click HERE). Whether you are in youth, children's or any ministry in the Church, remember to write out the vision.
Lean seasons don’t last forever.
Abundance will come again — through generosity, grants, or new opportunities. Your ministry isn’t built on a line item. It’s built on people. It’s built on mission.
Budget cuts hurt — I won’t sugarcoat it — but they also invite us back to what’s essential. And that’s where ministry comes alive.
If you’re navigating a tight budget right now, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you — drop a comment or shoot me an email.