Comments on: The Major Gifts Fundraising Myth http://www.asmallchange.net/the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth/ Making sense of fundraising for non-profits. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:17:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Nancy Keeler http://www.asmallchange.net/the-major-gifts-fundraising-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-78505 Nancy Keeler Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:54:15 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=258#comment-78505 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-page-1/#comment-19849 Jason Dick Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:35:10 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=258#comment-19849 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-page-1/#comment-19843 Chas Grundy Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:45:18 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=258#comment-19843 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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