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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.

I think role-playing with your co-workers is a fantastic way of practicing. Thanks for the idea!

I think role-playing with your co-workers is a fantastic way of practicing. Thanks for the idea!

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

I feel the most anxious when trying to make the initial connection with leads, especially those representing larger organizations or institutions. They say it is still the personal relationships that matter but how to connect and bond in the age of covid and zoom/teams burnout is a new challenge.

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

I saw something another non-profit was doing that I really liked- lunches with donors. I would like to try this maybe once per month. They invited up to 5 people to one online session with a board member and another team member to introduce them to the organization. It was a 30 minute session and was more interactive as a small group with less of a "sales-pitchy" kind of vibe. I think it took the pressure off all sides and a bonus was that some of the donors also learned about other organizations with similar interests and doing similar work. It was unique and definitely worth trying in my opinion.

It's good to also share those activities with the donor ahead of time- like an agenda. I found this to be very helpful so everyone is on the same page when the donor comes. Great idea!

1. The most anxious or challenging aspect is to approach someone you don't yet know and how he will treat you especially when it comes to fundraising.

2. To make easier my work, the way i have planed was to identify potential donors and put them into categories according to the area that need the support.

This course has let us know that it is good to request more than you're expected.

Seeking funding is both physical, mental and when not able to get it has a high impact on our professional confidence, This is the reason I want to take this course. I am Lowalem Daniel from Uganda.

1.Is when the answer from a donor is no. Because I feel like I can’t make it again
2.Planning in advance before meeting donors, specifying the purpose and getting ready for any feedback from donors

it went well

ce module est très importants

I think the most challenging part of asking for a donation is the shift in conversation that it requires. It is easy to talk to someone and connect with them - but there will eventually and inevitably come a time where the conversation must be redirected, and you have to directly ask (or suggest) a donation. This can be awkward and shift the tone of the conversation from pleasure to business, which can be awkward. To combat any awkwardness, a primary focus should be making sure the conversation is as friendly as possible, so that when the talk becomes more about money and business, you have a stronger leg to stand on and are more comfortable doing so.

I also think something to be considered is the activity during which the donation request is made. Luncheons are great - but my favorite method of asking for a donation is a more active activity, like golf. You have an extended period of time to be with the donor, and. your focus is not entirely on just talking. With an activity you and the donor can both focus on, there is less pressure on the interaction and more of an ability to bond over things - how beautiful the weather is, swing tips, or simply commenting on good or bad tips.

1: In a country where healthcare is perceived to be well-funded, it can be challenging to let potential donors see that there are still individuals who fall through the cracks. Crafting a strong pitch to the donors and being able to answer valid scrutinising questions on the spot may be what makes me most anxious.
2: Read up, gather facts and statistics.

The enxieties described by Tommy are similar to mine. the module has taught me some of the strategies to over come the enxieties and i intend to put all of them into practice.

It is indeed hard for ask for funds

1. The most challenging part of fundraising is not overwhelming the donor so that they say "NO" because they don't know how to respond to me. Talking with someone, I get so many ideas of how to collaborate that I throw them all out there and hope that they choose what works best for them.
2. Understanding some people are visual learners, I want to minimize options for clarity and put it on paper. If someone wants more info or options, I can verbally share.

That is a good point. Once someone shows they are disinterested, expending lots of energy and resources feels futile. Directing it towards potential donors that have a connection, seems best.

It's good to also share those activities with the donor ahead of time- like an agenda. I found this to be very helpful so everyone is on the same page when the donor comes. Great idea!

Be confident. Rejection might not give you fund but experience which is most important factor.

it is very difficult to recover from a no; but thanks enough I have learn from this lesson that a Thanks message is a very powerful weapon, though we might receive a NO, always leave the door open for the next time

Be confident! The worse is that they say no (not at all) and offer no help whatsoever. In that case, you still have exactly the same amount of funds after the ask as before.

Hello! I guess the most anxious thing in asking is a silence on a meeting when you understand that right now there gonna be “yes” or “no”, because a donor looking at you and thinking deeply.
The best way to make a successful meeting is to make people be interested in it. Like you are giving something in exchange but it is not help or money.

The most challenging of making the ask, to me, is to have done enough research about the prospect to know the correct ask amount.

I write grant proposals and design written appeals for donors, etc. but I have never actually made a fundraising ask in person. I think doing it in person would be much more nerve-wracking because I would feel like I was putting the person on the spot.

The most anxious moment is asking for money. It makes me feel bad because I do not want to be rejected or perceived as a beggar. So, what I do to address that is to conduct research on the donor and identify the gaps he's funded before and then align my speech to that.

I agree with this statement

How do you distract yourself, please?

my challenge is in writing to donors, how do I know what their interest is, will they be willing to sponsor my program if it doesn't interest them.

wow .. that's great idea because I was feeling the same too. so I agree with idea of researching them first to understand their area of interest.

The hardest part is asking for the money and waiting for a response

1. The most challenging aspect is asking for money, I am fine with the networking, but the money feels awkward.
2. I have not fundraised before, but I think that finding a mentor will be good for me.

I feel anxious about letting my team down
I can learn about new ways to interact

What really gets me anxious is how to start the conversation effectively with the donor. The reason for this is uncertainty on what questions the donor will ask and wether I have the right answers to his/her questions.
I find it helpful to do a thorough research on the program and also writing a few notes in a note book to ensure nothing relevant is omitted in the discussion. Not forgetting the principle of listening more and speaking less.

Asking for money its not easy for me because I fell bad every time some one say no.
Im trying to deal with this problems and tgis course its helping me a lot.

The most challenging is asking the donor physically to donate or fund my program . The reason is that I feel insulted if she says no and I will see myself as a beggar which can totally discourage me from the mission.

I solve this problem through sending what-up messages to request. I sent graphics that indicate my organization mission and vision, picture of our activities , our addresses , account numbers. We asked for both kind and funds. We received donations from some while some ignored. I was persistence in sending different messages everyday as a reminder and it worked. Through same method I send thank you messages, call some and send certificate of
appreciation to each donor with each donor's name

To reduce the anxiety , send email letters or text messages . Prepare yourself for no and assumed that that no means not this time. Hope for a better time. Think of what you have not done well and re frame and do it better.

You are on the right lane. With the skills acquired now you can easily brush up

Great Echonyu. We need to be confident. Remember "Practice makes perfect".

1: What to you is the most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising, and why?
Asking for the money since it feels blatantly rude, but I believe in my organizations Vison & Misson. also, after this Module, I fell more confident.

2: What is one way you have made or plan to make this aspect of fundraising easier in your work?
By assessing my fears and always keep in mind that a no is no final or fatal.

That sensation of a donor saying no

I have come across a very helpful articles hope to read more

The most anxious or challenging aspect of fundraising for me is continuously meeting new prospective donors and engaging them on the level they expect. To make this easier, I try to have a plan for new prospects for each upcoming fiscal year and a list of how to engage, make the ask, and continue to steward them.