You make a “dirty ask” when you request a meeting with your donor or sponsor, but your real intention is to seek a follow-up gift. A dirty ask is a kind of bait-and-switch tactic.
While dirty asks create appointments now, in the long run, they hurt your nonprofit.
You and your team can do better than this–you have your vision to share.
Because of these reasons and more, as a vision-driven CEO or executive director, you’ll want to eliminate dirty asks in your organization. Instead, express your appreciation and stop. Leave space for your recognition to be savored and to do its work.
Say, “Thank You.”
Period.
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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