Sometime in your relationship with your donor, the time will come to ask for money. It’s a critical moment to seize.
You’re in midst of warm conversation, and you hear the donor ask, either in words, silence, or gist, “What do you want me to do?”
You can go on building the relationship.
Or, you can seize the opportunity, “I’d like to offer you the chance to make a gift that you will feel good the rest of your life and one that will move our work forward. Would you like to hear my thoughts?”
Establish your groundwork, lean into it, and lift your voice. Otherwise, you’ll just be developing the relationship for evermore.
Besides, donors expect it.
Karen Eber Davis provides customized advising and coaching around nonprofit strategy and board development. People leaders hire her to bring clarity to sticky situations, break through barriers that seem insurmountable, and align people for better futures. She is the author of 7 Nonprofit Income Streams and Let's Raise Nonprofit Millions Together.
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