Making the Ask – Closing the gift Philanthropy Company

Making the Ask – Closing the gift

Let the donor know that you have listened and absorbed their response, whilst keeping it conversational

Making the Ask – Silence and listening

Perhaps the hardest part comes with keeping silent. You’ve made the ask. Now it’s the donor’s turn to respond.

Making the Ask – The Invitation

This is sometimes called ‘the invitation’. It’s useful to commit this part, once you gave settled on the appropriate words, to memory. The ask script is as important as your vision and mission statements.

The Ask Script

When you are making the ask, expect to cover each part of a structured discussion in 20-25 minutes.

Making the ask and when to do it?

The ask should be made after a process of engagement. Significant gifts can take between 24-36 months of careful cultivation. On occasion, especially if there is an element of self solicitation, then you can ask more quickly. But as a general rule, there should be at least three opportunities to engage with the work, leadership and impact of the organisation.

Making the Ask – Who should do it?

It is important that the ask is made by someone who is a respected peer. For example, if the prospect is a CEO, then it would help if they were asked by another CEO or the Chairman. This is where it is particular important to cultivate a wide network of influential friends and to build a development board of people who can gain access to their peer group.

Innovative Philanthropy: New Ways to Respond to Growing Demand

We were delighted to support this Philanthropy Impact event last night kindly hosted by Sir Vernon Ellis, Chair of the British Council in his wonderful home.

The panel comprised John Nickson, Campaigner for Philanthropy and author; Dawn Austwick, Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund; Lucy Blythe, Director Philia International and Rory Brooks Founding Partner, MML Capital Partners.

Making a hash of making the ask

The fundraiser, Dr Henry Drucker, cited three reasons why people do not give:

They are never asked
They are not asked well
They are not thanked

Good is best – it’s official

I was delighted to be on the benches for a debate, which drew a full house, at the Oxford Union on the 10th of November. The motion: “this house believes that there is nothing wrong with spending more on looking good than doing good”.

Making the Ask – and enjoying it

Making the ask (also called making the offer or invitation) strikes fear into the hearts of many. But it can be one of the most fulfilling parts of the process. It is rewarding and pleasurable and can lead to a closer relationship with supporters.

Funding networks: it’s not just about the numbers

Funding networks are on the rise with organisations like The Funding Network (TFN) and BeyondMe encouraging people to join together and support charitable causes. The networks can take many forms – from the funding pitches organised by TFN to the 6-person work-based teams organised by BeyondMe.

Ten Factors in Successful Fundraising

The Philanthropy Company has based the ‘ten success factors’ on our collective experience working as fundraisers and with clients. These are at the heart of our Foundations in Philanthropy package (which starts on December 2nd, 2015, at Somerset House)

Ready for change?

Following the recent Etherington review, there are new legal and reporting requirements for all trustees.

The media has given great airtime to the recent scrutiny of charitable giving. Alongside negative headlines in the tabloid press, useful guidance has emerged around the responsibilities of trustees for fundraising.

Trends in Philanthropy

There has been a phenomenal increase in levels of wealth of wealth over the last three decades.

Today there are 12 million people worldwide who are classified as ‘high net worth individuals’. Their collective wealth is estimated at $55.8 trillion.

Foundation for FutureLondon for Olympicopolis launch

We are delighted to be working on the Foundation for FutureLondon for Olympicopolis which launches tonight. The main fundraising drive, […]

Innovative Philanthropy – New Ways to Respond to Growing Demand

How may we increase the philanthropy and social investment that is essential if we are to sustain civil society for future generations? A roundtable discussion that asks this question is happening on the 17th of November.

The Power of a Filmic Case for Support

The University of Cambridge recently launched their £2bn fundraising campaign, “Dear World … Yours, Cambridge”. It was a remarkable feat of communication. Blue-tinted events sprung up around the city. Fire-writing shone across the river: “Dear World … Yours, Cambridge”, it read. And the city rippled in posters and banners. The Campaign was launched, and the city knew about it.

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