Operating Principles
It is the Lord of the harvest who brings the fields to ripeness. The Bible teaches that some from the body of Christ will plow, some will sow the seed, some will water and some will reap. We know that some ministries will be in fields of great growth and others may not be blessed to see a discernable impact, yet both could equally be following God’s calling.
Seeking prayerfully to be led by the Holy Spirit, the Board of Directors and staff of First Fruit acknowledge that, although the following operating principles are central to our work, we often fall short of God's righteousness. It is, therefore, in a spirit of humility that we use these principles as guidelines for our ministry.
- First Fruit seeks to discern where the Holy Spirit is calling us to work, particularly in places marked by significant social and spiritual challenges. Working in an attitude of humility and relying on God's strength, we strive to make grants that will strengthen the Church for the accomplishment of her tasks.
- We look for granting opportunities that integrate head and heart dynamics. In doing this we seek to look strategically at the broad perspective and compassionately at the people and the need.
- In all grants we seek clear and compelling outcomes. We value solutions that go to the root causes of needs being addressed.
- In all but our smallest grants, we emphasize feedback, accountability and clear, culturally appropriate field reports. Our goal is that both we and our grantees will keep improving from lessons learned.
- In many grants First Fruit is willing to be an early funder, to focus on emerging strategies, to catalyze action, to encourage and develop indigenous leaders and to support local stewardship. We do this knowing these granting strategies may involve more risk.
- First Fruit makes both small and large grants. Most first grants will be modest. We normally grant for single year projects, however, we will consider multi-year gifts in exceptional circumstances.
- First Fruit only makes grants from proposals we invite. We seek out these opportunities from many sources and perspectives. Especially important in this process is vision travel and site visits by staff and board members.
- First Fruit seeks whenever possible to make grants for the work of indigenous ministries or international ministries with nationals in leadership. This is done in the belief that such leaders, working within their own language and culture often have a more fruitful impact in their work.*
- First Fruit values collaborative action by establishing and maintaining good relationships with other like-minded organizations. We look for opportunities to multiply our efforts and to participate in research that furthers our granting work.
- First Fruit will, on occasion, help key ministries think through their organizational and strategic issues. We seek to do this important part of our calling in a spirit of humility.
*Each First Fruit grant, no matter where the ministry is at work, must be given to a publicly supported 501(c)(3) organization which has appropriate oversight of the use of funds.
