One of our best pieces of advice for major gift fundraising sounds a bit awkward and unnecessary at first. That advice? Ask for permission to ask.
One of our best pieces of advice for major gift fundraising sounds a bit awkward and unnecessary at first. That advice? Ask for permission to ask.
Topics: Art Of The Ask
As we come to the end of 2016, we’re taking a look back at the posts that inspired the most conversations on the blog and with our clients. Today’s topic? Asking for a Gift.
Topics: Art Of The Ask, Volunteer Management, Endowment, Annual, Capital, Board Management, Best Of
This October, the Donor By Design team is tackling spooky situations in development. Join us this month for hair-raising stories and cautionary tales of frightful fundraising!
Topics: Fundraising, Art Of The Ask, Fund Development
In this series, the DBD Team will take a deeper look at some of the axioms we use when working with our clients. In today’s blog, Mike expands on our axiom: “Earning the Right to Ask.” To read other axiom blogs, click here.
Topics: Leadership, Art Of The Ask, Axiom
Our board just isn’t a fundraising board.
We hear that feedback from nonprofit leaders – both staff and volunteer – nearly every day. Whether it’s said with regret or with frustration, nonprofits, schools and churches are clearly puzzled as to why their board seems disengaged or focused on less-important minutiae.
Topics: Volunteer Leadership, Art Of The Ask, Volunteer Management, Endowment, Campaign Leadership, Annual, Capital, Big L Leadership
Being a fundraising volunteer isn’t easy. One of the main reasons why is that it is so personal. It’s you, connecting with your peers, possibly even your friends or family, to ask them to be generous towards a cause you believe in. For even the most passionate volunteer, the experience can be a little nerve-wracking.
Topics: Volunteer Development, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Art Of The Ask, Annual
A relatively common concern among nonprofit executives and development directors is that their board members are reluctant to ask for money.
Topics: Volunteer, Board Development, Art Of The Ask, Volunteer Management, Board Management
“I hate asking for money!” That’s the refrain we often hear from volunteers and staff alike, especially at the beginning of a campaign. I even heard it from Dr. Ed Miller of John Hopkins Medical School… someone who raised $2.2 billion during his tenure.
Topics: Philanthropy, Art Of The Ask, Relationship Building
A big part of what I do with my non-profit clients is help them to develop and refine their case for support? What’s a “case?” It’s simply a collection of compelling reasons (both data and stories) as to why an organization is worthy of support. You’ve probably made a case for support at some point in your career – be it a letter, a grant proposal or a sales conversation over coffee.
Topics: Case For Support, Art Of The Ask, Storytelling, Cultivation, Making The Ask
Do you need to be an extravert to raise money? Everybody thinks so, but it that the truth?
Topics: Volunteer Leadership, Art Of The Ask