This time of year mailboxes are flooded with fundraising “ASK” letters. Although the causes may be worthy of a donation most of us have limited resources that only allow us to give to a few.
Here’s my two cents worth on the ASK…
1. Build trust. Start off honestly, sincerely and from your heart. Tell us why you personally are writing the letter.
2. Be a storyteller and share circumstances about peoples lives that have changed because of the money you have raised for your non profit. When you share a great success story you immediately establish credibility. Compelling stories move people to support a cause.
3. Ask BIG! Don’t hold back on what you ask for. People will give what they can but you need to share the need for giving EVEN if it seems like a lot to ask.
4. Spell it out. Let them know how their gift can be used. Correlate dollar amounts to services needed by your clients. They see how donations of different levels can help pay for heat, rent, food for a family any service your non profit provides. They connect on a deeper level and the donation becomes more meaningful.
5. Be Humble. Recognize the current economy and how it effects donations. The donor can understand a real human need and are more likley to empathize with these difficult times.
I hope my two cents makes sense to you and helps your non profit stand out from all those envelopes.
Cheers and Happy Fundaraising!
Lucinda
Tags: Donor, Fundraising, nonprofit
