My Communities

I think this goes for many of us. WE don't want to appear to be too forward at the same time.

the hardest part is for me to specifically ask for money or other kind of support from the donor, I usually tend to be more subtle and not to be so direct. But I understand with the course the relevance or doing so. I think I am shy to discuss directly this topic and fear to be rejected by the donor because of my letter being direct

getting information on the donor, its website or through linkedin or twitter may be useful, so as to show that you are aware of their work

making a mapping of potential donors is useful from the beginning

Hi, the challenging part was requesting a specific amount of money from the donor, but from the lesson learned , there will be improvement.

The most challenging in fundraising process is rejection, it is hard to cope with it, however, I see that sometimes the rejections comes as result of poor presentation. We so far have geared on skill improvement

Meeting with a new donor is challenging, what is important is to become flexible to will happen if it yes or no

real life situation, its very hard to ask for money.

Asking for money and then following up on the ask at the risk of being annoying. For this fundraiser I only followed with those that showed interest in our cause for the initial email.

This is the same thing i struggled with and then follow up with it.

This message is for course facilitators. I cannot access the NYT article in Module 2, because the webpage says I've reached my limit of free articles. Is there an alternate way to access this article? I am really interested in reading it. Thank you for your help.

Keep motivated after rejection is hard... thank you for sharing such great insights

1: What to you is the most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, and why?
Asking for financial support because I think by doing that, I put people in an uncomfortable situation.

2: What is one way you have made or plan to make this aspect of fundraising easier in your work?
I think, by giving people more option of how one donor can support, it releases the stress and uncomfortable situation for asking financial support.

1: What to you is the most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, and why?
Asking for financial support because I think by doing that, I put people in an uncomfortable situation.

2: What is one way you have made or plan to make this aspect of fundraising easier in your work?
I think, by giving people more option of how one donor can support, it releases the stress and uncomfortable situation for asking financial support.

1: Para mim, o aspecto mais esperado ou desafiador da arrecadação de fundos é receber a informrção através do telefonema ou pessoalmente de que o dinheiro ou a doação solicitada está liberada para a Organização. Porque traz alívio e certeza de que as metas, os objetivos podem ser alavancados ou até mesmo alcançados dentro que foi planejado.

2: A maneira que posso tornar esse aspecto da arrecadação de fundos mais fácil, seria o estreitamento de minha equipe com a equipe do (a) doador (a), e com isso tornando ambas as equipes familiarizada, fazendo com que todo o trabalho seja mais himanizado.

1: For me, the most anticipated or challenging aspect of fundraising is receiving information via phone or in person that the requested money or donation is released to the Organization. Because it brings relief and certainty that the goals, the objectives can be leveraged or even achieved within what was planned.

2: The way I can make this aspect of fundraising easier, would be to narrow my team with the donor's team, and thereby making both teams familiar, making all work work. more hymanized.

1: I am most challenged by striking the right balance between giving good details (about the contact and their history, about my organization, about patients we've helped) and keeping the communications concise.

2: I plan to work on this area by soliciting feedback from any contacts I make verbal connections with. I can ask them, near the end of a conversation, "I'm working to improve my ability to communicate in a clear, concise, but meaningful way. I'd appreciate your help! Do you have any advice for me in this regard?"

Through my learning in this model, i get to know that I need to let the donor warm up to me first and that I need to engage certain donors in specific ways in order to improve their receptivity to requests.

The most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, to me is making the ask. This is because mostly the organisations that we have attempted reaching out to never responds. So if we get a meeting the following process are pretty easy to follow through. But first they having to agree to meet is always my anxious moment.

However, going forward now am better informed. I will henceforth make sure I do not let no bother me

That is a good way to receive feedback. But am sure you know depends on probably the time you might have to make your presentations before getting to the point. Assuming you have a 30 minutes presentations would this method still work out?

Everyone certainly likes good news

I am new to fundraising, so these are unchartered waters. However, continuing education opportunities, such as this course, provide the knowledge that will help me become more confident.

To have the guts to ask a donor.

1: What to you is the most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, and why?

It is always difficult approach people who are not from the community. Do they know enough about us? How much information do I need to give them?

2: What is one way you have made or plan to make this aspect of fundraising easier in your work?

Rehearsing saying the benefits of the programs --which are wonderful!-- and thinking about the goal.

If the cause is worthy and you are passionate about it it shouldn't be difficult.

A "no" is only for now, but not forever. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

Meeting new prospective donors is challenging because am uncertain about the result but with practice I always get to be strong in ha doing all results from the future

being a beginner the most challenges aspect of fundraising for me would be initiating the discussion and making sure the donor is happy with the conversation so that they are willing to support

The most challenging aspect of approaching and asking a donor is the switch in the conversation into the actual ask. You need to be able to understand their feelings and mode toward the situation, while also getting to the point.

The challenging issue during the fundraising is time, follow-ups and waiting for responses.

The challenging issue during the fundraising is time, follow-ups and waiting for responses.

1: What to you is the most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, and why?

There is more than one aspect that challenges me - one I find few answers for are finding potential donors with an interest in international projects.
When a project is local, community focused, people tend to have more of an interest and understanding since they are more aware of the problem and can see results right in their general area.
When it's in a country far away, that most, people, if not all, have seen or experienced, they are less likely to want to participate or be interested. It is a challenge

2: What is one way you have made or plan to make this aspect of fundraising easier in your work?

I am in the process of compiling stories that would highlight the issues our organization is working with in Kenya. Personal stories of people we've helped and others still in need - both young and old - that would touch the heart of the listener and move them to want to help...and at least make them aware of lives being impacted by no fault of their own

I had the same issue...the article would pop up on screen for a second then change over to a page showing only the first page and no more. Would like to read the article.

SSABINA....I have always been wary of asking for funds also feeling like I am putting the person in an uncomfortable position...how I am working on getting around that is having good information about the potential donor to know their true interests in issues we are working on...and remembering I am not asking them to give me money, but supporting a cause that impacts the lives of others. A work in progress for sure...

Transitioning to the ask is difficult and it's so easy to just keep talking as the clock is ticking. Hopefully they say something that connects as a great lead to the ask. If not, remember the great work you're doing and maybe tell a story of someone helped and then do the ask to help others in the same situation.

Correctly approaching the (potential) donor i.e. communicating having done a thorough homework of knowing him/her, his/her interests and being able to articulate /communicate clearly, yet in a simple friendly way the specific ask when the friendly atmosphere has been established, such is the key, that can turn to be a challenge if mishandled.

The most stress inducing part for me, is meeting a potential donor for the first time. I get worried that I won't be able to connect interests. But, I now know that I need to make sure that I put in the research time to make sure that I have something personal to connect with.

I agree, it is a balancing act. You have to stay on your toes and read the situation in front of you.

Correctly approaching the (potential) donor i.e. communicating having done a thorough homework of knowing him/her, his/her interests and being able to articulate /communicate clearly, yet in a simple friendly way the specific ask when the friendly atmosphere has been established, such is the key, that can turn to be a challenge if mishandled.

Incorporating donor families is a kind of wise investment. Even if the kids do not take up the interests of their parents, it is still a good idea to approach them, attempt to get them involved if possible, and to show them courtesy. After all they will inherit the estate of their parents, and they still remain good prospects and targets for the future as potential donors whose parents at least used to be former donors.

The aspect I feared the most was transition.
I would literally get to the person and don't know what to say or how to say it.
It was a very embarrassing situation.
But with this course I have learnt to follow up on what the donor is saying and find a good way for entrance especially ones the discussion relates to my organization and if no I would stay by saying the reason I came today which is a fundraising call

I was faced with the same challenge until my challenge became transition but now am over it.

You are right. I have learnt to be more confident in my request

Wao insightful I hope it really works for me too

The aspect of meeting the donor for the first time is full of anxiety and fear to me because the way you address someone for the first time will determine the impression you create.
Also, the aspect of writing for request and waiting for response is the most anxious moment that i could ever withstand

The moment of anxiety that I anticipate would be starting a conversation with the prospective donor. However, with the learning from this course I now know that doing proper research on the donor, knowing those things that matter to them will help kick off a great conversation.

I can relate with that. With constant practice it will get better.

I need a partner in order to complete this course

asking for donations is always difficult. my effort to take this course geared toward over coming this challenge.

To me making the ask with the specific amount is the most anxious moment because asking people for money generally without promising to pay back is a challenge. However in this course I have learnt the trick is include the figure in the request for meeting letter, so that the prospective be prepared in advance.

Making the ask is also my most anxious moment, however I believe if you include a specific ask in the meeting request letter, the prospective donor will be psychologically prepared and it will and it will be one of those issues expected in the meeting and will not sound like an ambush.

The most anxiety inducing part of fundraising for me is starting the conversation with someone who I need to request money or resources from. Writing a letter or calling with a request for a meeting will greatly reduce that anxiety by setting up expectations and "permission to ask" in advance.

What to you is the most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, and why?
One time I had a meeting with a donor prospect. The meeting well incredibly well. The donor assured us that we would receive 300,000 pesos for 1 program. In my country donors don’t write checks during the meeting. He told us that his accountant would be in touch. Time passed and we didn’t hear from them. I was suffering and not knowing what to do because from one part I didn’t want to seem pushy or demanding, but from the other side we really counted with the resource for the program development.

The most challenging aspect of fundraising is donor’s commitment (word of honor) that the resources are really given, that the donations really take place.

Another important and challenging aspect is to guarantee recurring or continuous donations from a donor and not just a one-time.

2: What is one way you have made or plan to make this aspect of fundraising easier in your work?
And if you are not currently working at an organization or have never fundraised before... just imagine that you are about to begin your first day in fundraising at an organization!

I think it is very important to include donors in the activities of the organization and above all make them feel special and not only in moments, as Tom said that they are already waiting.

Donors love when I ask their opinion, it makes them feel important for the work they support.

This is a wonderful module, I have learnt a lot!

For me, the most challenging aspect is actually asking for money, especially during these trying times of the pandemic since everyone has been affected and sometimes I don't want to come off as being insensitive.

How I am handling this challenge is keeping in contact with the donors a lot more, not only when soliciting for their support, but to share impact stories of their giving. This set me up for the next ask but also helps to make them feel really appreciated for their partnership.

Another way is to also ask the donors how my organisation can be of help and support. Some have asked us to pray for them, which is very encouraging.

Very wonderful suggestions Ana, involving the donors in the programs and asking for their opinion is a good way of engaging them and getting commitment from them.

I also find the research element helpful because when I meet them I can focus on their Organisation and help engag e them better because they get to talk about themselves. They also see that I am interested in them and this helps them focus on me after a while because we connect

1. The most challenging aspect is in the actual ask for me. I can set up the meeting its just that when I am in the room I get anxious on when to actually ask. I want the timing to be right and sometimes I have asked too soon and backfired

2. I can make it easier by doing through research before the meeting on the potential donor or Organisation and come into the meeting with someone who can assist with the ask.

Great input stories are the best way to transition into the ask. Most people love good stories so this is very effective

I think the most challenging part is starting the ask.Taking the very first step.

like you just freeze and words can barely come out of your mouth....yeah I get what you are saying

1: What to you is the most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, and why?
Asking money is the most challenging aspect of fundraising because of fear to hear the answer 'no'

2: What is one way you have made or plan to make this aspect of fundraising easier in your work?
I will keep learning and practicing

Previously i considered calls for proposals as the only way to fundraise. Making an appointment calls for extensive research before making an ask. Asking for a meeting, and making the transition at the right time are the areas i must work on first.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Livia. Like you, I have learnt to read and research about the donor since this makes conversation a lot easier.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Livia. Like you, I have learnt to read and research about the donor since this makes conversation a lot easier.

To me, the most challenging aspect of fundraising, is not the ask but waiting for the response if the donor needs time to review an area to which we discussed the donation. I enjoy all areas of the ask to ask, the time to get to know the donor, setting up the ask for involvement and working on ways to complete the proposal and finalize to contract. I am not bothered by a "no" as I find it a challenge to find out why they said no. It helps strengthen my next "ask".

One way to make this aspect of fundraising easier, is to not be discourage and to realize that every "no" makes us stronger for the next ask and to remember that without a "no" the "yes" would not mean as much.

I also feel embarrassed asking for money too, look like we compete to get money of other people/organisation. So all the myths about anxiety are so true for me.

Meeting new prospective donors is challenging

Meeting new prospective donors is challenging

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The most challenging part for me has been the amount of money to ask from the donor. This is because I don't know if its too much or too little.

With time I am overcoming this by learning the nature of the project a donor may want to fund and his expectations in term of scale of impact.

the most challenging aspect is the moment where you are to request the amount of funding you require and you are put to wait. I become anxious at that moment because i am not sure if the grant proposal will be accepted or not.

meeting new donors and requesting them to donate a specific amount to my organization can be challenging, and receiving a 'No" from a donor. But nevertheless, I've learnt to also request for further recommendation and possible referral to other donors or organization that would be willing to help.

Rightly said Martha, research about donors background helps to build better relationship with donors

Absolutely JeanB.

Fundraising is a big challenge for artists. For many artists, fundraising is one of the primary means by which you get the support you need to make your work, so it is often an unavoidable challenge.
Planning the Fundraising Event
Determine the type of fundraising event you want to host. ...
Find your target audience for your charity event. ...
Pick a time and date for your event. ...
See if you need to fill out any event paperwork. ...
Make concrete arrangements. ...
Incorporate marketing into your fundraising event planning.

Very challanging

The most anxious/challenging aspect of fundraising for me is definitely making the ask. Although I have been lucky that donors tend to offer up that information. I feel weird asking for money! But, I believe in what my org does and know these donors have capacity, so I try to put those feelings aside when I am in meetings and do it for the cause. It has always gone well. I think it will be easier when I get the donor talking about themselves and learning more about them. I think I need to learn to be uncomfortable in silence and just to sit with it before the donor responds to my question.

The part that creates the most anxiety for me is making the explicit ask. I am happy to learn more about the donor's interests and share relevant information about the program. The hard part is following up with an ask. I manage this by trying to have a very specific, time-sensitive request: e.g., would you consider providing a match for our upcoming campaign?

Yes, waiting is often the hardest part! I try to distract myself by focusing on the next ask!

The most challenging would be the transition and making the ask for money, because would dont know what to expect in my first day.

Requesting a meeting could seem daunting at first,but if it's via mail it definitely eases the "in person" aspect of it. I think once a response is received,it would guage the tone going forward. For me the most anxious aspect would be asking for a donation. Especially financial.

As far as my experience in fundraising is concerned, I have faced several times some specific challenges while asking people/ potential donor to support our cause, recruiting local sponsors that supports our work, giving many more children a shelter, family and basic necessities needed to grow. The people in the community perceive our organization as an independent entities that can cover its finance by its own I think they probably considered this as it also supports the local community, vulnerable family groups whose children are at risk of being separated from their biological or extended family through financial support in its family strengthening program. This has made the people to think differently about our organization though the fund is generated from international sponsorship product.

For the second, I am planning to organize some session with some selected/ potential people from the local community so that they can be sensitized well regarding our work and plan in the long run and short run as well.

Congratulations Ayomide.

Meeting people is hard because I am scared they will say no because the organization is small. I plan to feel mroe confident so I am not scared anymore.n

Its a bit challenging ask a donor because if your soliciting for support your more of a beggar. But thanking the donor is very easy and its good they could appreciate anything.But anxiety is not very easy to overcome because sometimes its natural

for me the most anxious step in fundraising is when I am told no while we hope for something special from the donor but thanks to this course I have just learned that no means come back after

l haven't currently worked on fundraising. However l feel the part of requesting for financial support might bring anxiety.

The most challenging aspect of fundraising is coming up with unique, fun & creative ways to fundraise. I plan to ask our followers what type of fundraising activities they would like to participate in.

Great advice!

To reduce the anxiety when asking for financial support, explain what their financial support will be going towards or how others will benefit from it.

I especially enjoyed learning about the "five anxieties" of asking for donor funding. It helped me identify anxieties that I didn't even realize I would have, as well as making me feel more comfortable. It will provide me with the skills needed to handle future "asking" swiftly and confidently.

What makes me anxious about fundraising is asking for money. I do not want people to think that I am using them or am only interested in their money.

Although I have never fundraised, I think I were very anxious when I should ask the potential donor for money or help. Because I don't know what his reaction would be.

I think it would be easier to approach the possible donor, doing a little research about him and his family, so that when starting a meeting it is somewhat warmer.

According to you, the same thing happens to me

To me, the most anxiety-inducing aspect of fundraising is the actual ASK itself. It is especially uncomfortable when approaching our families, who are already spending a lot of money in tuition. This course is helping me feel less anxious. I plan to continue the Philanthropy U courses, but I also plan to have a "role playing" session where I can practice the ask with co-workers so I feel more comfortable.

I'm nervous about this, too. I hope that my background in Improvisation will help me grab onto something to help with the transitions!

The "when" is uncomfortable for me, too. I hope I'm able to read the conversation.

Very well.

Yes, asking for money is too sensitive for some reason.

The most anxious and challenging part of this all is when the donor comes to visit the field so that they decide whether they will or not.

I made a good plan of specific activities that need to be visited.

Of course.

For me, the most challenging aspect to fundraising is dealing with the thought that I am in a sense controlling, pretending, manipulating the conversation and the potential donor's feelings to get him to donate some money or resources to our organisation. It does not make me feel comfortable.
I have realised that I should not think of fundraising from that perspective. Therefore, I have changed my view towards it. I see it as yes, manipulative, that I want to control the situation. But it is not to trick him for a selfish reason. But for a good cause. I also have to realise I have something to offer to him if he is looking for ways to fulfil his advocacy interests. I am seeing it in a way that I manipulate or control the conversation to see what his interests are, once knowing more, and if it fits, offer him to choose our NGO to fulfil his advocacies and interests. I first have to know if he is interested in donating, if he is, then I will already know I am not "tricking" him into it. And that would leave my mind at ease.