One of many scariest issues about fundraising is the worry that you just’ll smash relationships. One of the crucial widespread questions I get as a fundraising coach is “Ought to I ship this attraction to folks I hangout with?”
Final week, an achieved nonprofit leaders requested me simply that. She was in a giving day and puzzled if she ought to message a gaggle of pals. A colleague warned her to not. However I prompt she contemplate it. Her nonprofit is essential to her and the nonprofit’s mission is essential to this group.
Who was proper?
How would you’ve got answered her?
As I’ve replied to her, I began occupied with the conflicting path she was getting, I’ve realized the reply lies within the motivation behind the ask.
When you’re asking out of desperation, a worry that you just’ll miss your fundraising purpose, then don’t. That desperation will put a pressure in your relationships.
However if you happen to’re asking from a spot of invitation, go for it. Folks like supporting their pals. And welcoming pals to assist one thing they worth is a courtesy.
If you’re asking out of desperation, you begin saying and doing stuff you’d by no means do to a pal. And the ask tends to be all about you and your nonprofit.
However whenever you’re asking from a spot of invitation, you’re occupied with your folks as a lot as your purpose. Possibly much more.
So who was proper? I’d say we each had been. Chances are high good her colleague sensed the desperation and knew the unfavorable influence that sort of ask would have. So I prompt that she ought to if she might ask from that invitational place. Extra of a “We’re doing one thing cool that helps one thing you worth” than a “We’ll miss our purpose if you happen to don’t give.”
What would you’ve got mentioned?
How would you’ve got answered her? Tell us within the credit.
