3 Musts When Asking for a Nonprofit Gift

From October to December, nonprofits dedicate time and energy to fundraising. They reach out to supporters and ask them to give. They share their impact—what they have done this year and what they will do next year. They share stories from those whose lives have been changed as a result of donations from people just like you. Many use direct mail, social media and/or online giving campaigns. Many also encourage their board members, donors and volunteers to personally talk with potential donors and ask them to make a gift.

For many this is the scariest aspect of fundraising. “I’ll do anything, but ask.” This is something we hear from nonprofit board members and other nonprofit supporters. That’s not a surprise. But, there’s another side to the story. “I was waiting for them to ask me. I send something each year, but no one has ever talked to me.” Here’s a snippet of a conversation we heard just this week: “She called me up and said she was introduced to me at an event earlier in the year, and she wanted to know how she could get involved and how she could give.”

You get these results when you talk with people about the work of your organization, what you’re all about and the fact that you rely on donations in order to continue your work.