Making Better Asks

You made the ask. You named a number. Then came a pause, and the sentence every fundraiser dreads: "Let me think about it." You thanked them, said you'd be in touch, and walked out to your car with no real idea what had just happened. Was … [Read more...] about What to Do When a Donor Says “Let Me Think About It”

One of the most common questions I get asked by fundraisers and aspiring fundraisers is, “How do you politely ask for donations?” I get asked this question by both new fundraisers and those that have been in the business for a long time.  And … [Read more...] about How Do You Politely Ask for Donations?

Everyone who works for a non-profit has seen the famous fundraising thermometer.  They’re commonly used at non-profit events, during online fundraising campaigns, as part of capital campaigns and telethons, and on non-profit crowdfunding … [Read more...] about How to Create a Fundraising Thermometer for Your Next Fundraising Campaign

The most effective way to make asks, particularly major donor asks, is in person.  But sometimes, making an ask in person just isn’t practical or feasible. It could be that an in person visit just isn’t possible (e.g. during the Coronavirus … [Read more...] about How to Make Successful Fundraising Asks Over the Phone

If you want to supercharge your non-profit’s fundraising, you need an amazing case for support.  Your case for support (sometimes called your “case statement") is one of the two most important documents for your development program (the other … [Read more...] about Here’s a Sample Case for Support for Your Non-Profit