Comments for A Small Change http://www.asmallchange.net Making Sense of Fundraising Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:26:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Fundraising is Not a Narcotic by Sierra http://www.asmallchange.net/fundraising-is-not-a-narcotic/#comment-30329 Sierra Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:26:39 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1863#comment-30329 When it comes to fundraising, I know more than enough people who would rather run a marathon than ask for a donation, but this is a great way to think about it. Fundraising changes lives, just as community service does. What we need to realize is that nothing is going to change in the community unless we work to change it. Many times this needs to be done through fundraising. Thanks for the fresh perspective. When it comes to fundraising, I know more than enough people who would rather run a marathon than ask for a donation, but this is a great way to think about it. Fundraising changes lives, just as community service does. What we need to realize is that nothing is going to change in the community unless we work to change it. Many times this needs to be done through fundraising. Thanks for the fresh perspective.

]]> Comment on Take Initiative by Sierra http://www.asmallchange.net/take-initiative-2/#comment-30327 Sierra Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:21:33 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1781#comment-30327 This is the perfect post. I am thrilled that learning to take initiative will come in handy when I am searching for jobs. By creating the habit of taking initiative I can hopefully have more success with searching for future donors and coming up with more creative ways to make proposals. This is the perfect post. I am thrilled that learning to take initiative will come in handy when I am searching for jobs. By creating the habit of taking initiative I can hopefully have more success with searching for future donors and coming up with more creative ways to make proposals.

]]> Comment on An Ask is An Ask by Sierra http://www.asmallchange.net/an-ask-is-an-ask/#comment-30321 Sierra Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:00:20 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1874#comment-30321 You say that the donor often asks, “How can I make this work?” It makes you realize that if you’ve secured a meeting with someone about a donation, they already have the intent of donating. That being said, the job of the person asking for a donation is to look into the company to see realistically how much they should be asking for. And what the donor could stretch to afford. The mindset of the donor is that once you ask, they can respond in any way they choose. So our goal must be to figure out how to make it irresistible for a donor to donate. You say that the donor often asks, “How can I make this work?” It makes you realize that if you’ve secured a meeting with someone about a donation, they already have the intent of donating. That being said, the job of the person asking for a donation is to look into the company to see realistically how much they should be asking for. And what the donor could stretch to afford.
The mindset of the donor is that once you ask, they can respond in any way they choose. So our goal must be to figure out how to make it irresistible for a donor to donate.

]]> Comment on An Ask is An Ask by Steve http://www.asmallchange.net/an-ask-is-an-ask/#comment-28792 Steve Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:55:58 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1874#comment-28792 I like how you say it, an "ask" is an "ask". And you make a good point, asking for three times what you'd like often makes everyone (asker and donor) uncomfortable. A study done by Jakob Nielson (a web usability expert) found that most important to donors is want your mission is and what you do with your funding. I suggest people focus on the second part. Tell donors where the money goes. It turns an "Ask" into an "Ask and Tell". It can put people at ease as well as educate. And if Nielsons study is accurate, it also satisfies an important need of potential donors. I like how you say it, an “ask” is an “ask”. And you make a good point, asking for three times what you’d like often makes everyone (asker and donor) uncomfortable.

A study done by Jakob Nielson (a web usability expert) found that most important to donors is want your mission is and what you do with your funding. I suggest people focus on the second part. Tell donors where the money goes. It turns an “Ask” into an “Ask and Tell”. It can put people at ease as well as educate. And if Nielsons study is accurate, it also satisfies an important need of potential donors.

]]> Comment on An Ask is An Ask by Non-Profit Websites http://www.asmallchange.net/an-ask-is-an-ask/#comment-22996 Non-Profit Websites Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:03:44 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1874#comment-22996 That's why it is so important to build good relationships with donors. This lessens the anxiety or concern when asking. That’s why it is so important to build good relationships with donors. This lessens the anxiety or concern when asking.

]]> Comment on An Ask is An Ask by SupportMyGroup http://www.asmallchange.net/an-ask-is-an-ask/#comment-21793 SupportMyGroup Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:07:00 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1874#comment-21793 Excellent advice! I think the silence that you mention after asking is so important. I know a problem I've encountered is that sometimes the people you have asking feel awkward in that silence as well, but whatever they say in that moment can too easily offer an objection to their initial request - so they end up working against themselves. Something else I've found helpful is to keep it personal. If they comment about kids, be interested. People are much more giving with those to whom they feel a connection. Great post! Excellent advice! I think the silence that you mention after asking is so important. I know a problem I’ve encountered is that sometimes the people you have asking feel awkward in that silence as well, but whatever they say in that moment can too easily offer an objection to their initial request – so they end up working against themselves.

Something else I’ve found helpful is to keep it personal. If they comment about kids, be interested. People are much more giving with those to whom they feel a connection.

Great post!

]]> Comment on How to Get Your Donors More Engaged by Dr. V http://www.asmallchange.net/how-to-get-your-donors-more-engaged/#comment-21611 Dr. V Sun, 18 Mar 2012 05:04:38 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1190#comment-21611 This is such a great article, you are right on the spot - in looking at own role as a donor - that's exactly how it works. Thanks for this very informative article. This is such a great article, you are right on the spot – in looking at own role as a donor – that’s exactly how it works. Thanks for this very informative article.

]]> Comment on An Ask is An Ask by HigherPixels http://www.asmallchange.net/an-ask-is-an-ask/#comment-19106 HigherPixels Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:16:48 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1874#comment-19106 Great Advice! I've also found that gathering as much intelligence ahead of time is an important part of the process for making "the ask" of a major gift. Leveraging your Board (assuming they are active) can go a long way to knowing the amount that will resonate as reasonable. The board, possibly, can help you determine things such as: how much have they given to other organizations, what their perceived capacity to give is at this time, and what they like most about your organization. Finding the sweet spot of a stretching "ask" is tough. And often, despite all the prep work, can be more like art than science. Thanks for the post! :-) Great Advice! I’ve also found that gathering as much intelligence ahead of time is an important part of the process for making “the ask” of a major gift. Leveraging your Board (assuming they are active) can go a long way to knowing the amount that will resonate as reasonable.

The board, possibly, can help you determine things such as: how much have they given to other organizations, what their perceived capacity to give is at this time, and what they like most about your organization. Finding the sweet spot of a stretching “ask” is tough. And often, despite all the prep work, can be more like art than science.

Thanks for the post! :-)

]]> Comment on Don’t Forget Your $1,000 Gifts by Brian http://www.asmallchange.net/dont-forget-your-1000-gifts/#comment-18663 Brian Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:22:06 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1791#comment-18663 Okay, I'm just getting familiar with your site, but I love this article too! As a former Fund Development Officer, this is huge! Looking forward to following your blog. Thanks! Okay, I’m just getting familiar with your site, but I love this article too! As a former Fund Development Officer, this is huge! Looking forward to following your blog. Thanks!

]]> Comment on Fundraising is Not a Narcotic by Brian http://www.asmallchange.net/fundraising-is-not-a-narcotic/#comment-18661 Brian Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:20:40 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=1863#comment-18661 HA! Stumbled upon this and had to read it. I agree, sometimes people find themselves avoiding fundraisers like the plague...or like they're a narcotics dealer. :-) HA! Stumbled upon this and had to read it. I agree, sometimes people find themselves avoiding fundraisers like the plague…or like they’re a narcotics dealer. :-)

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