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5 Tips on Asking for Donations

by Infinity Concepts | Jan 20, 2015 | Fundraising

donationsWe get it…asking for money is intimidating! It can be a very uncomfortable situation that most of us tend to avoid. However, fundraising is critical because non-profit organizations survive on donations that support their cause. Here are 5 tips when asking for donations.

Tip #1. Know your donor

You need to do your homework. Get to know your donor well enough to know how they think and what influences their decisions. How do you get to that point? You research your donor as an individual, but you also perform general research of the kinds of people who donate to your type of non-profit. You need to communicate at their level. What do they care about? What is the word that will trigger their passion? What other causes are they a part of? What are their common objections, fears, and concerns about donating? What is the word that will trigger their passion?

Knowing your donor is key to effective fundraising.

Tip #2. Be specific

Ask your donor for a specific amount. Don’t let the donor figure out how much should they contribute to your cause because they don’t know your specific campaign goals, you do — so help them out. No one wants to do extra work, so it is your job to make the donation experience as easy as it can be.

If you have a specific ask, you are more likely to get the results you want.

Tip #3. Stay connected                

You need to build a strong relationship with donors. The stronger a relationship you have with your donors, the easier it will be to get them to donate to your cause. Who doesn’t want to help their friend or someone that they have a great relationship with?  Don’t forget one of the most important aspects of fundraising — gratitude to donors. You can send them a thank you card, letter, or keepsake. Show them that you are thankful for their donation to your cause.

Tip #4. Practice is the key

You need to be comfortable asking a donor for their money.  To do so, you need a lot of practice. The best way to dominate your donor visits, get more funds and create real, lasting connections with your nonprofit is to PRACTICE the entire process. It is important to establish the goal you want to accomplish after your initial donor visit. Prepare influential talking points that will move donors to making a commitment of a donation to your cause.

Tip #5. Ask for advice

What most people truly want is to be heard. Asking for advice means that they will freely tell you the secret thing they are most passionate about, as well as their biggest fears about giving.

Most importantly, asking for input will make the donor feel a sense of value and importance. Which they are! They’re the ones whose enthusiasm makes changes happen in the world. So ask them for their input and impressions. “Ask for money, you’ll get advice. Ask for advice, you’ll get money.”

Don’t be intimidated or uncomfortable when asking for a donation. You are offering a chance to make a difference for a cause that donors care about. You’re selling significance, and at the end of the day, most people want to feel like they’re making an impact on the world.

You just have to ask.

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