Attention Women Fundraisers! You CAN raise major gifts!
I know this because I’ve seen it… again, and again and again.
One Ask is All it Takes…
Last week I received a call from a woman named Mary who recently took my online course, Mastering Major Gifts. Although she has been the director of development at her organization for four years, she had never asked for a major gift.
And even though she was really nervous, with a little push from me, she decided to go for it! She sat down with a donor — someone she had been cultivating for a long time — and made her first in-person ask. And the donor said YES!
Can you imagine how Mary felt afterward?
- It wasn’t nearly as scary as she thought
- The donor wasn’t angry or offended as she had feared
- She could do it!
Once you raise your first major gift, you join a new level of fundraisers.
Go from “Can’t” to “Can” and Beyond!
Your first major gift transforms you from someone who can’t raise major gifts to someone who can. And someone who does.
Best of all, it works for every subsequent gift you raise…
- First, it’s the first gift you ask for in person
- Next, it’s your first five figure gift
- Then six figures
- Then your first million dollar ask!
Success Begets Success when Raising Major Gifts
Your confidence builds with each successful ask. So what are you waiting for?
Of course, this isn’t a uniquely women’s issue. However, I’m talking to you, my sister fundraisers, because women tend to feel limited and intimidated in this field by male bosses, male board members and male donors in a way that male fundraisers aren’t.
Women often a lack confidence in a way that men generally don’t. Men are raised to be strong, brave, and courageous. Women to be more delicate and polite. Of course, that’s not true in every individual household, but it’s true in society as a whole. Yes, even in the early 21st century.
So what’s a woman fundraiser to do?
What you do is you get that first major gift, whatever size that is for your organization. That could be a 4, 5, or even a 6-figure gift.
Of course, I know it’s easier said than done. But once you’ve done it just one time, it gets easier and easier. Making it over that first hump is a huge accomplishment.
You CAN do it — I know you can!
I can guarantee there’s someone at your organization who’s just waiting to be asked for a major gift. Someone who loves your organization, who volunteers and who gives regularly. Yet, that person has never been asked in-person to increase their gift.
How do I know you can do it?
Because I’ve coached hundreds of fundraisers just like you. And I know donors out there just waiting to be asked. And because your important cause needs the money.
Every major gift fundraiser asked for their very first major gift at some point in their career. Now it’s your turn.
Taking the Leap into Major Gift Fundraising
If the task of asking a donor for a major gift seems insurmountable, take it step by step — try out the Major Gifts Challenge. It doesn’t cost a dime and it will walk you through the basics of major gift fundraising, one week at a time.
And if you have asked for a major gift with success, what advice and wisdom can you share with fellow women fundraisers who are just getting started?
thank you. U have been getting my courage up and asking for more 1ooo, last week I asked for 10,000 and I am waiting to hear back. My husband gave in the request to a Gabi who handles the requests. Since now their foundation usually gives to different causes. I am waiting to see what will happened. Praying in the mean time and know they can really afford it.
I didn’t feel bad when I found out the husbands net worth was 266 million. Thank you. Should I call the wife who 4 years ago gave us 1800 and 2 years before that, the same?