Sometimes we get lost in the semantics of how to ask for a gift so I thought I’d provide you with some examples of ways you can ask for money. There are thousands of unique programs and partnerships that you could create to help in asking for a gift but I’m talking here about one-on-one solicitations. Below I’ve included several different “asks” this would be the part of the solicitation where you actually ask them for their gift.
- I’d like to invite you to give a gift in the range of $1,000 to $2,000 over 2 years
- Would you consider a leadership gift at the level of $5,000?
- Would you match my gift of $1,000?
- We are talking with you today about two gifts. One, we would like you to maintain your annual gift of $500. Second, we invite you to consider a stretch gift of $1,500 to the campaign.
- Would you consider a challenge gift of…
- We are going to a handful of lead givers to secure the initial lead gift for our campaign…
- Would you give a lead gift in the range of $25,000 to $50,000 to this campaign?
- We would like to invite you to consider a gift of $100,000 to name the new computer lab.
- Your gift will encourage giving among the other board members. Would you be willing to set the bar for others and for this campaign with a gift of $10,000?
Make sure that they are simple statements read my posts on Ask Out Loud, and Ask and You Shall Receive. You can also try a combination of any of the sayings above. I’m sure that you have many other ways that you have asked for a gift, leave a comment and share them.
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A few years ago, I met with a long-time supporter of a local community-based arts organization going into a capital campaign to ask for a pledge of $100,000. My ask was structured around Leadership, Leverage, and Legacy. I can’t recall the exact words, but it was something like, “Steve, a pledge at this level from you, early on, is the sort of strong leadership we need to kick this off. You know how it can leverage other resources we need. And it will honor the legacy of investment you’ve offered this neighborhood over the years.”