Do you have a culture of giving? Or should I ask, do you have a culture of asking? While nonprofits want givers, few people want to be askers.  And that is often the sticking point.

Common excuses include:

“We don’t have those kind of big-money donors in our community”

“That’s too much to ask for from our donors.”

“We aren’t the type of organization that raises a lot from our members.”

“Our community is unique. We can’t ask people like other nonprofits can in other places.”

“The people around here only give small amounts to organizations like ours.”

Now, here are some facts:

1. There are donors on your list that donate large amounts – just to other organizations who ask them for it.
2. Raising the same amount of money year after year is, in reality, raising less money each year.
3. These excuses are your way of saying no for your donor. People are perfectly capable of saying no for themselves.
4. You are not the only small city with one social services agency, one synagogue or one _____.  And many raise money.
5. You may know the people who have been large public donors for years, but that does not mean you know all of your community’s donors.

How do you change transform your nonprofit’s case for giving into a case for asking?

This is where the reusable bags come in.  Remember when people thought it was way too much hassle to carry around reusable bags? We would have to invest $10+ for each bag that turned itself into a small ball.  It just felt like a lot of work.  And, as often as not, we got to the checkout and realized they were left by the back door.

Now? Watch the registers at a local Trader Joes you will see every shape and size of reusable bags. If someone needs paper bags, it often comes with an apology for leaving their bags at home. The culture has shifted.

It took time, but change happened.  The same can happen at your organization.

Create a case for giving.  Every staff member and volunteer leaders should be able to articulate why you are a place that deserves funding. And, that includes what the money will be used for and how each gift will make an impact.  Use the case as an excuse to engage donors and prospects and get their feedback. And take their feedback to heart.

The goal is to transform the case for giving into a case for asking.  And asking for more is the only way you will raise more money.

Let us know if we can help you transform your nonprofit’s culture into one of asking and giving by emailing me today.