To Ask or Not to Ask . . . That is Really Not the Question

During these tough economic times, many of us are struggling with the issue of whether to ask our donors for gifts or whether it is better to “give them a break” right now. Our Board members do not want to ask, our CEO doesn’t want to ask, and some days, we pretty much feel the same!

Whether you ask or not, the importance of donor stewardship at this time cannot be overstated. Now is not the time to ignore your donors, but now is the time to stay close to them and remind them about your mission, the people you serve, and the positive impact you have made on so many lives. Now is also the time to help your donor remember the special connection they have with your organization and to show them just how important they are to accomplishing the mission.

Here are several questions to ask your donors:

1. How is it going for you?

2. How are we doing for you?

3. Are we among your top philanthropic priorities? If not, how can we move up?

4. What would it take to get to where we can ask you for a gift?

A reminder: We ask these questions so we can get information…so don’t forget to actually listen to the answers!

So, some organizations will choose to solicit donors these days while others will decide not to solicit. The important thing is that you are staying close to your donors, sharing your mission with them, and demonstrating their value to your organization.