This a fundraiser’s dilemma when starting a major project: If everyone wants to “wait and see,” who will go first? Your project’s success depends on a handful of supporters who believe in your mission, have confidence in your organization’s ability to raise the funds and will step out, first, with their leadership gifts.
Here are some tips for responding when a prospective donor says, “I want to see more progress before I give”—after you’ve asked for a gift.
Listen to what they’re really saying.
Assuming the prospective donor cares, is informed and has the ability to make the gift you requested, consider what their response really means. Do they want to wait because they lack confidence in the project? Do they have doubts about the leadership? Listen, so you can create a path forward.
Ask for a challenge gift.
Ask if you can offer an idea for them to consider. If they agree, ask them to consider the gift as an “all or nothing” challenge gift. If they commit to the gift today ,with the caveat that you must raise a specified dollar amount before you receive it (such as $1 million in one year), you can use their challenge gift to inspire others to give. If you don’t meet the challenge, you don’t receive the gift. They can make a gift, and wait and see.
Celebrate or find a leader.
If they commit to a challenge gift, celebrate their gift and their leadership! If they say no to the challenge gift, you can still be encouraged. They didn’t say no. You can keep them apprised of your progress, and ask again when the time is right. Now, you can get to work identifying a prospect that will step out first and make a gift.
Of course, “cash today” is always a welcome gift. However, with creativity, preparedness and perseverance, you can turn “I want to wait and see” into “I can’t believe what I’m seeing!”
Karin Cox
President
kcox@kineticfundraising.com
Kinetic Executive Vice President Janell Johnson will serve as a panelist for
Nexus Marketing’s free online event:
Kind of a Big Deal:
Major Gifts Best Practices in 2023
March 30, 2023, Noon Eastern
Major gifts can be major wins for your nonprofit, so it’s important to stay up to date on industry best practices. Nonprofits can magnify their fundraising efforts by taking the time to cultivate, solicit, and steward their major gift donors efficiently and effectively. It may take a lot more time and patience for such requests, but any nonprofit can land such donations. How can your nonprofit prepare for making the big ask? Learn more about 2023 major gifts best practices at this free event.
To be discussed:
How nonprofits can best cultivate and sustain major donors?
Tips and tools that can benefit your nonprofit when in pursuit of a major gift.
Common mistakes nonprofits make and how to avoid them.
Ways to identify potential major donors.
Go here to register for NXUnite.
Kinetic President Karin Cox
Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras (TASO)
April 15, 2023, Austin
Karin Cox will serve as the keynote speaker for TASO’s 56th annual conference. The organization provides for the exchange of ideas through leadership, networking, education, and advocacy for orchestras throughout
Kinetic Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer Jason Wood and Kinetic Executive Vice President Scott Justvig
The Salvation Army Better Together Conference
Building an Effective and Engaged Advisory Board
April 17, 2023, Dallas, TX
Together, Jason and Scott will share tips for carefully identifying, recruiting training and utilizing Advisory Boards to achieve campaign success. During the conference, Kinetic will also have the pleasure of interacting with the more than 1,400 delegates from within The Salvation Army.
To schedule a Kinetic consultant to speak at your conference or organization email info@kineticfundraising.
