The secret to overcoming fear when asking for more money

Imagine we’re on the phone. We’re talking about how you want to raise more money for your nonprofit.

I ask you about who your top givers are, what they give, how they came to be a donor in the first place. I learn more about who they are and it tells me their giving capacity. And you say they are one of your most loyal donors and have been with you from the beginning. So the passion, the devotion and the willingness is there. (In fundraising speak, that is usually called inclination.)

Then I give you an (increased) amount that I suggest you ask for based on their previous giving and based on everything you’ve told me.

Your response “Oh wow.”

So often, even after we’ve done the research, we understand that our donor lives in a $3M home, we understand that they have been giving since the start of our organization, we understand that they are passionate about the mission and work being done, and look at the tangible evidence that not only do they have the capacity to give $10k+, but are inclined to do so—why is it that we still struggle to raise the money?

Fear.

All kinds of fear. Fear of asking for too much and therefore burning a bridge.

What is the worst case scenario here?

Worst case: You ask them for $20,000 (double) and they laugh in your face, get enraged and say “HOW DARE YOU?!”, hang up and never speak to you again while trolling you all over the internet telling people…. how horrible you are for asking for more money to a cause that they have given to generously over the course of years??

What is the likelihood that they even laugh in your face or are upset… like even a little bit?

Not likely.

Here’s the thing: these fears pop up because you haven’t made this level of asks yet.

Once you have asked someone for the largest gift you’ve ever asked for (for me it was $1M), then the next time it doesn’t seem as scary.

The way to overcome this fear is humble yourself.

Yes, humility.

Humility is about putting others above yourself.

Tap back into WHY you are doing this.

Why are you even compelled to raise this money?

What is it all for?

That’s right. It’s not for you. It never was. It’s for the youth and children you serve.

It’s for the members of your program whose lives will completely change as a result of you raising more money.

Tap into WHY this donor even gives?

WHY do they hand over money to your organization in the first place?

How is donating to your nonprofit changing THEIR lives?

Everywhere you look, you are serving people who need what you are offering.

Life change all around.

So, forget how you feel about it and what others might think or if you are annoying long enough to serve.

Humility fully developed is courage.

The most courageous leaders create the greatest impact because they are intent on serving those around them no matter the cost.

Raising more money than your organization ever has is going to require increased courage again and again and again.

I’m launching a course for fundraisers on how to tangibly build courage to raise more money and have a great impact in October.

I can’t wait to share more.

For now, follow me on Instagram for more encouragement.