Hopefully you spent some time in the Major Gifts Challenge cultivating your donors. If not, there’s always time to start now. So, you should be ready (or almost ready) to ask your major gifts prospects for a gift. Before you know it, it will be the end of the year, so you need to ask sooner, not later. Some people won’t be available to … [Read more...]
Why “Maybe” is the Best Answer When Asking for a Major Gift
There are three possible answers (and only three) that a person can give after being asked for a Major Gift: Yes No and maybe You need to be prepared for all of them. When a Prospective Donor Says "Yes" Let’s say you ask someone for a major gift, and they say “yes.” What do you do? First, thank them, of course. Then find … [Read more...]
Overcome Your Asking Anxiety by Using Your Asking Style
As we approach "the ask" in the Major Gifts Challenge, I've asked my colleague, Andrea Kihlstedt, to prepare a guest post for this week dedicated to Asking Styles. Andrea’s unique approach to asking could really help as you approach your asks. Asking Styles is also the name of Andrea's new book (pictured right), for which I had the honor … [Read more...]
Big Gift? Bigger Gift? Asking for the Right Amount
You may have heard the expression: Fundraising is an art and a science. As much as I wish there was an “ask amount formula,” unfortunately there isn’t. 5 Rules to Determine Your Ask Amount Determining how much to ask for could be the most confusing part of the entire major gift process. So here are some rules of thumb to live by: … [Read more...]
The Pre-Ask Meeting: Who, What, When, Where and Why?
The most important activity on every cultivation plan for soliciting major gifts from prospective donors is a personal meeting or visit. You will want to meet with all major gifts prospects, regardless of whether you already have a good relationship with them (board members and other volunteers), as well as those you need to meet for the … [Read more...]
Be Rich and Famous: Take the Major Gifts Challenge
Do you want the opportunity to skyrocket your career while learning how to solicit major gifts? Be rich: In less than a year, you can increase your organization's annual fund by 10%, 20%, 100% or more. Be famous: In 12 month's time, you can be revered by your boss, board members and colleagues. If becoming a rich and famous all-star … [Read more...]
Exceed Your Fundraising Goals in the New Year
Are you prepared to fundraise in the New Year? Will you meet, or even exceed, last year's fundraising goals? How much more could you raise with a few changes to your plan? Follow these 10 steps and I guarantee you’ll leave last year in the dust. 1. Start by setting some goals. As the saying goes, if you don’t know where you’re … [Read more...]
When Did Fundraising Stop Being Fun? 3 Ways to Bring the Joy Back
One of my goals as a trainer, author, speaker and consultant is to make fundraising more fun and joyful for board and staff members. Are you having fun with fundraising? Many of my clients hired me to reinfuse staff and board members with enthusiasm, motivation, and passion for their cause. And, to put fun into fundraising. If You're Not … [Read more...]
Rehearse Before Asking and Watch Your Donations Soar
One of my more popular speaking topics is about overcoming the “fear of asking” or learning how to ask for gifts in more effective, efficient ways. If you want to improve your success rate and/or comfort level with asking individuals for contributions to your organization, you need to practice. The subject of money is taboo in our … [Read more...]
How to Raise Money Even When Your Board Won’t Help
Wouldn’t it be great if your board members were enthusiastic, passionate, and committed to fundraising for your organization? While the organizations I work with see significant movement of board members toward this ideal, many organizations don't take the time or resources to train board members properly. If this is the reality at your … [Read more...]