Comments on: The Major Gifts Fundraising Myth http://www.asmallchange.net/the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth Making Sense of Fundraising Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:58:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Arlene Kirsch http://www.asmallchange.net/the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth/#comment-421 Arlene Kirsch Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:01:17 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=258#comment-421 Hi, I love your posts. This one prompts me to add that in my experience, when the most senior people do the asking, even if I have been the one who cultivated the relationship, then the gift simply is bigger. Major donors, in my experience, like to feel connected to the most senior people at the organization they support. Thank you for blogging! Arlene Kirsch Hi,
I love your posts.
This one prompts me to add that in my experience, when the most senior people do the asking, even if I have been the one who cultivated the relationship, then the gift simply is bigger. Major donors, in my experience, like to feel connected to the most senior people at the organization they support.
Thank you for blogging!
Arlene Kirsch

]]> By: Nancy Keeler http://www.asmallchange.net/the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth/#comment-420 Nancy Keeler Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:54:15 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=258#comment-420 Yes, I have had the same experience. I like doing the legwork, building strong relationships between the donor and the organization. Even if I can't be in on an ask, I like preparing those who will with strategy and scripts. However, in one organization I worked for, my boss, who was newer than me at the organization, did not give me any credit to senior management nor the board on asks that I set up for him. He eventually fired me and jumped ship six months later. It was a very hurtful experience for me. Have any other fundraisers had this experience? Yes, I have had the same experience. I like doing the legwork, building strong relationships between the donor and the organization. Even if I can’t be in on an ask, I like preparing those who will with strategy and scripts.
However, in one organization I worked for, my boss, who was newer than me at the organization, did not give me any credit to senior management nor the board on asks that I set up for him. He eventually fired me and jumped ship six months later. It was a very hurtful experience for me. Have any other fundraisers had this experience?

]]> By: Jason Dick http://www.asmallchange.net/the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth/#comment-419 Jason Dick Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:35:10 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=258#comment-419 Thanks for your comment. I agree that when you cultivate donors right the ask ends up happening really smoothly and can be almost second nature. However, if you never have an "outright ask" for a specific amount you are missing an opportunity. I have found that when donors are asked for something specific they will give 3 to 10 times more money than if they give without being asked. Thanks for your comment. I agree that when you cultivate donors right the ask ends up happening really smoothly and can be almost second nature.

However, if you never have an “outright ask” for a specific amount you are missing an opportunity. I have found that when donors are asked for something specific they will give 3 to 10 times more money than if they give without being asked.

]]> By: Chas Grundy http://www.asmallchange.net/the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth/#comment-418 Chas Grundy Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:45:18 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=258#comment-418 As one of our board members put it, you never really ask. You tell stories, you make your case, and then you bring in the President/VP/Executive Director to take the check. By the time you bring in the real "asker," there's no need to ask outright. I guess it's kind of symbolic; giving to a top representative is substantial and seems like better recognition than giving to one of the foot soldiers. As one of our board members put it, you never really ask. You tell stories, you make your case, and then you bring in the President/VP/Executive Director to take the check. By the time you bring in the real “asker,” there’s no need to ask outright.

I guess it’s kind of symbolic; giving to a top representative is substantial and seems like better recognition than giving to one of the foot soldiers.

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