Ben Harder, President of Harder & Associates , has over forty years experience in professional fundraising. 

 Following his initial graduation from Providence College, Ben Pastored for a number of years in the Winnipeg area. Having an interest however in Christian College education, Ben returned to University and did his under-graduate, graduate and post-graduate work in the field of Church History and Historical Theology and was, for a period of eighteen years, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Providence College and Seminary. The last twelve of those years, Ben moved from academics to administration and served as Vice President of Development.

 After a brief tenure as Canadian Director of the Haggai Institute, based in Atlanta, Georgia, Ben took over the Presidency of Foothills Christian College in Calgary, an undergraduate college of ministry training. After five years as President, Ben left the College and founded Harder & Associates, a Christian company which helps churches and para-church organizations raise money for budget and capital programs.

 Since its founding in 1986, Ben has personally worked with over 250 congregations and para-church organizations across Canada and the United States. In addition to this consulting work, Ben has also developed two seminars focused in this website.  The first was Growing Financially Healthy Churches, a seminar for church leaders working in the field of finances. The second was Money & Buildings, a seminar for church leaders in the field of capital projects.  In addition to these seminars, Ben has authored three books to assist church leaders in the area of funding for ministry support.

 Because of the huge demand for help in the field of church finances, Harder & Associates has recently opened a regional office in Calgary, Alberta, and a second office in Peterborough, Ontario.

 Ben and his wife Ruth live in St. Catharines, Ontario.”

Michelle Harder, Senior Consultant with Harder & Associates, has for the last eight years worked with many churches of various denominations in the design and implementation of successful capital programs. 

Michelle earned a BA Honours in Psychology from Brock University and an MA in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

In additon to her work in churches, Michelle also works as a Consultant in the non-profit sector.  Currently she is working under contract for the VON Hamilton Foundation and has had contracts with The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County and The Teen Health Centre located in Windsor.

Michelle currently resides in St. Catharines, ON.

David Belsey, Western Consultant for Harder & Associates, has been involved in the fund raising sector since the late 1980’s, first as an administrator of a large church, using an American Consulting firm to raise money to purchase land for a new church in Edmonton. The goal was $2 million, and a total of $1.8million was realized.

In the early 1990s, a different American consulting firm was used to raise $2.2 million for the construction of the new church.  While both campaigns were somewhat successful, the church felt that the American flavor of the campaign lead to some people making a larger commitment than they could ultimately fulfill.

In the 1990s, David was involved in the Doctoral program at Fuller Seminary in the area of strategic planning and resource development in which he had researched fund raising for capital projects for the Canadian environment. The research for the course, along with the opportunity to interact with other charities about best practices for the Canadian environment gave him an appreciation for how to approach capital campaigns in Canada. Thus, another campaign was self directed with Harder and Associates with the result that a pledge of $830,000 was realized, where the goal was $1.8 million, and actual receipts over the three years of $1.2 million. This campaign left David with a deep appreciation for the benefits of hiring a consultant, and at the same time, running a fully directed campaign as opposed to one that is ‘self directed’.

Another fully directed campaign was with Harder and Associates in a Calgary church. David was the campaign director, and as a result worked very closely with Ben Harder to see to every detail of all aspects of the campaign. Ben Harder conducted a financial feasibility study and recommended a campaign goal to the church of between $3.8 and $4.2 million. The church was involved in a merger with another church, and the worthy cause involved raising funds for the purchase of the other church’s building, planning for future church plants, missions and education. David not only experienced the complexity of a campaign, but developed an appreciation for the thorough approach of campaigns conducted by Harder and Associates. The campaign raised $4.2 million in pledges.

Additional fund raising experience includes a VP role at two prominent Christian colleges in Western Canada. Both these roles have allowed David to develop close relationships with pastors and churches of all sizes and denominations, assisting them in their vision casting and fund raising efforts. Since starting his role as Western Representative for Harder & Associates in 2005, David has completed many campaigns with a number of different denominations and churches. Campaign goals have ranged from $350,000 to $4.5M.

As an ordained minister, David has a sincere desire to assist churches large and small with their resourcing needs. Too often churches find themselves strapped financially because of building too big, or under funding. Dr. Belsey’s training, experience and expertise at the ground level of church life give him a unique appreciation for how to make campaigns work in every environment. His current memberships include the Association of Fund Raising Professionals, the Calgary Centre for Philanthropy, and the Christian Stewardship Association. He has also served on the Board of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities for many years.

Harry Denning, Eastern Consultant for Harder & Associates is a fundraising specialist with twenty years experience. He lives in Peterborough Ontario with his wife Cathy. Most recently Harry was the Director of Operations for Calvary Church in Peterborough. During his time there he was given oversight for the relocation of the congregation to a larger facility. This task included the sale of the existing property and the purchase and renovation of a 104,000 sq. ft complex to house the congregation. To accomplish this he worked with Harder & Associates on a successful 1.7 million dollar campaign.

Prior to that assignment Harry worked as an Associate Director for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada responsible for Stewardship Services and Major Donor appeals. His first fundraising position was Director of Development for Eastern Pentecostal Bible College which at that time was Canada’s largest denominational Bible College.

Through the years Harry has gained experience in all aspects of raising funds for budget and special projects and has an excellent understanding of church & church related ministries.