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I learnt to not always take a "no" personally and that it doesn't mean no forever. It is okay to ask the donor why they chose not to donate to your organization and seek their advice on fundraising. You should still treat them well and not burn bridges. They might be able to donate in another way, communicate clearly and honestly.
I agree, this is very important to keep in mind because we naturally take it personally. Goodluck with your fundraising!
You find out why the donor refused and this helps in understanding what the donor wants
A few weeks ago I received a "no" from a potential donor. I learned that donors give to organizations that they are passionate about even if they have a solid relationship with the major gift officer.
Rejection has me to go through a process of reflection and soul serching so that am able to develop a totally different approach. The process helps me to define exactly what I did well in the fundraising process and what I need to improve to secure the funds in future.
Knowing and accepting that there will always be disappointment is a thing because you can not stop seeking funds with such mentality
I evaluated the situation to understand what I could have done differently and then moved forward with the experience applying the knowledge in the future.
I evaluated the situation to understand what I could have done differently and then moved forward with the experience applying the knowledge in the future.
I evaluated the situation to understand what I could have done differently and then moved forward with the experience applying the knowledge in the future.
Learn from it and use the knowledge moving forward.
Always incorporate family members and admit mistakes something wrong has happened with fund.
To be honest with donors is very important when I make a mistake, followed by apologized and making changes for being sure it won’t happen again.
That’s one of the most important thing I learned in this course
In case the rejection No has come from donor you should always look at the positive side try and come with more comprehensive approach
One thing I've learned from the experience of getting a “no” from a potential donor is that my ask is being rejected, not me. It's (usually) not about me, personally.
Very true! The stronger the emotional connection a potential donor has to an organization or cause, the easier I have found it to make successful asks.
Good. When we received a NO from a donor, We have to always appreciate the time of the donor and seek for the donor advice for fundraising.
Ive recieved alot of Nos something I don't typically follow up on is the why.
Sometimes Donor themselves go under burden, responsibility, and restriction. It is good you give me them time
a no is one of the best responses you can get since you are able to try to persuade or reason with the potential donor and having a good conversation which makes you realize a number of flaws in your approach. you learn by problems not successes
This is so true, they are people to
It is helpful to me to have a short memory. Forget the previous yes or no and go into meetings with potential donors without any of the stress from others. This means not assuming all donors have the same needs or interests. This means not getting upset when you receive a no. Go into each meeting prepared and fresh.
I have learned to not just leave the donor and stop communicating. I have learned to make them feel needed even if they cannot provide financial support such as asking if they are able to be an advocate or if they are able to connect me with other individuals who would be able to donate to our mission.
I love the mindset of not letting other no's affect the confidence and meetings with next donors.
Children of donors are likely to inherit their customs and grow up to be charitable givers as well. Therefore, as fundraisers we must consider them on our list because they could be future donors.
don't dwell on no's
What I have experienced from this course is NO does not mean doom. They might be reasons for No. One needs to understand the reasons and now devise a means to proffer a solution to the NO in order to get Yes. No is not terminal and it does not mean the end but a process and not a destination.
What I have experienced from this course is NO does not mean doom. They might be reasons for No. One needs to understand the reasons and now devise a means to proffer a solution to the NO in order to get Yes. No is not terminal and it does not mean the end but a process and not a destination.
@awungnkezeelvis said in Module 3 Discussion: Incorporating Donor Families and Dealing with Disappointments:
Good. When we received a NO from a donor, We have to always appreciate the time of the donor and seek for the donor advice for fundraising.
I agree with you. It is important to appreciate their time and then drill down to know the reason or the type of No in order to determine next steps.
What I have experienced from this course is NO does not mean doom. They might be reasons for No. One needs to understand the reasons and now devise a means to proffer a solution to the NO in order to get Yes. No is not terminal and it does not mean the end but a process and not a destination.
@awungnkezeelvis said in Module 3 Discussion: Incorporating Donor Families and Dealing with Disappointments:
Good. When we received a NO from a donor, We have to always appreciate the time of the donor and seek for the donor advice for fundraising.
I agree with you. It is important to appreciate their time and then drill down to know the reason or the type of No in order to determine next steps.
What I have experienced from this course is NO does not mean doom. They might be reasons for No. One needs to understand the reasons and now devise a means to proffer a solution to the NO in order to get Yes. No is not terminal and it does not mean the end but a process and not a destination.
@awungnkezeelvis said in Module 3 Discussion: Incorporating Donor Families and Dealing with Disappointments:
Good. When we received a NO from a donor, We have to always appreciate the time of the donor and seek for the donor advice for fundraising.
I agree with you. It is important to appreciate their time and then drill down to know the reason or the type of No in order to determine next steps.
I learned that every time you get a “no” if you continue the conversation properly, and really listen to the donor’s response, maybe you can change the situation and get the donation at the same time or at a later time.
I agree with you Rosario, we already have this donor and we just have to keep in touch and maintain a good relationship if the heirs want to continue collaborating with our cause.
I agree with you Rosario, we already have this donor and we just have to keep in touch and maintain a good relationship if the heirs want to continue collaborating with our cause.
Do not give up.
Ask why they may not be of help.
select another partner if the current raiser is upset
I learnt to handle such moments in a meeting and to always have multiple donors in a waiting list
When we received a NO from a donor, We have to always appreciate the time of the donor and seek for the donor advice for fundraising.
When we received a NO from a donor, We have to always appreciate the time of the donor and seek for the donor advice for fundraising.
great course and it takes a lot of time and thinking
I learnt to handle all moments in a meeting and to always have multiple donors in a waiting list
I learnt that,When you receive a negative response, you must listen to the donor and see if there is a possibility of inviting him again to donate to our cause, it is a negative feeling, but you must learn to live with that response and move on.
I learnt that giving up is never an option to go for no matter what.
Ask why they may not be of help.
select another partner if the current raiser is upset
I learnt that It is helpful to me to have a short memory. Forget the previous yes or no and go into meetings with potential donors without any of the stress from others. This means not assuming all donors have the same needs or interests. This means not getting upset when you receive a no. Go into each meeting prepared and fresh.
I learned to ask follow-up questions to understand the next course of action and better understand the NO.
I agree, regroup and refocus!
Great. When we received a NO from a donor, We have to always appreciate the time of the donor and seek for the donor advice for fundraising aswell if he needs additional information
When you receive a No from a donor don't give up but instead try to keep your relationship with them, they might say no due to the crisis they are through, but it doesn't mean that they are not willing to help. However you could also ask the donor to refer you to other organizations that are willing to support you business
The most valuable lesson I've learned is not to take a no as definitive and rather identify which typo of 'no' is and analyze how to act and react.
I agree! Always be thankful but also think about the reasons the donor could've said no
i learnt how to handle NO to fundraising.
One thing that has come up is a mistake with tracking the amount pledged, due to staff turnover. I had called to shift the relationship over and the organization did not believe they would have pledged this large of an amount. I acknowledged that we didn't have any comittment to that amount and that I was probably misinformed, apologized over the phone and dropped off their sponsorship gift in person to further connect.
This is a good point- timelines to ask donors for a contribution and ensuring there is enough time to make the decision on their end.
Perhaps re-phrasing the need that we would want the donors to be involved in and contribute to?
Perhaps looking at the need from different prospective, what is it that would satisfy the donors and want to be involved in? What is it they are passionate about but can share common values?
Always good to have a list of donors and not to forget the kids of donors. Also never to take No so personal
I have been denied funds for our organization and the reasons were that the foundation was established in less than 3 months in operations. It was understood and hopping to go back to the same donors when we mature to 6 months
I have been denied funds for our organization and the reasons were that the foundation was established in less than 3 months in operations. It was understood and hopping to go back to the same donors when we mature to 6 months
With hearing "no," not just in this context but in any context- the important thing is to remember "this is not about me." It usually isn't! It says more about where the other person is at the present moment.
This sounds like a great plan! It sounds like it wasn't really a "no," but a "not yet." This gives you a path for the future...
Rejection has me to go through a process of reflection and soul serching so that am able to develop a totally different approach. The process helps me to define exactly what I did well in the fundraising process and what I need to improve to secure the funds in future.
When I think of a time in which I experienced a “no” or rejection with a donor when fundraising.many a times. It is democratizing and if you you are not patient you might loose .but many a time you need to be persistent and show that you really patient but needs to understand what your donor requires
You always require to map out your potential donors you need to have multiple donors so that if you can't be able to get support from one of them then you have multiple options
Rejection should be taken positively so enable you go back to the drawing board to reflect on whatever went wrong so that you can rectify and come up with resolution on how to next time handle and convince your potential donors to support your project
Recieving a No from a potential donor is of different categories .
I would like to highlight about the two most important difference between a “hard no” direct and a “soft no”. Persuve A hard no is characterized by the following phrases “not now, not ever” kind of no. If you hear this from a donor . Then you need to review your approach and go and prepare well because this kind of response come either because you weren’t prepared and didn’t do enough research,and fact finding and cultivation about your donor . Soft no’s are the ones you list above, and there’s often a way to turn them into a “yes”!soft No are easily turned to yes if you are Persuve and done you donor mapping in advance
Incorporating Donor Families and Dealing with Disappointments has tom Had said that Try much to acquaint yourself with the Donors families Many of Donors families do not support the same course as there Parents therefore you need to be close with them because there will be a time they will inherit there parents resources and you will need them to support your course but you need to understand what the prospect donor supports
When you receive a negative response, you must listen to the donor and see if there is a possibility of inviting him again to donate to our cause, it is a negative feeling, but you must learn to live with that response and move on.
Ask the donor the reason for the rejection . Make follow up questions and ask for advice on how to go about the cause and suggestions.
And not I how the donor that i am upset
Recieving A no from a donor is obviously not pleasant but to me its a challenge that i cherish to be able to go back to the drawing board and evaluate what really went wrong did i connect with the donor well. How will approach the same or such like a donor if given a nother opportunity. this should be a learning avenue for future improvement
"mistake correction and and handling disappointment from donor" is very Great and helpful topic that might lead to success For any fundraising event. when I get a rejection or no from potential donor, i Will consider the positive part of rejection and admit the mistake as a common issues then I will take permission to ask him again next time.
Of course not neglecting the children of donor might lead you to successful relationship b/n you and whole family of donors. examples from Tom are very helpful and considerable.
Of course not neglecting the children of donor might lead you to successful relationship b/n you and whole family of donors. examples from Tom are very helpful and considerable.
I have learned that someoen rjecting your ask is not the be all end all. We can turn our d turn our dissapointment into success by setting up the next ask through tailored questions. I think this was one of the most helpful articles we have read.
That's a good point. Stopping the exchange with the donor given a now biased interaction is important. I would never have thought the solution was just to have a different donor soo fundrasier sooth things over.
I have learned that identifying why a person says "no" can be very helpful in future requests fro donations and involvement. When I understand why someone is saying no I can better formulate messages to reach them the next time or the next person I reach out to.
Hi Luluzoo, I like how you note that being rejected is not the end all be all. I also think it is very important to remember that, because although rejections are discouraging, you must continue asking and learning.
Stay focused on your Goal. Don’t be scared of people who is telling you no. It can be a form of motivation to become better in your asking. And have a better win win situation in the future
First off accepting your turning down and your reject positive response. Work on it and becoming better for the next steps
I found the idea of incorporating donor families helpful. It works especially well in universities with legacy gradfuates
rejection can be tough, but better to keep positive attitude and learn from experience .
sometimes a donor might be scared to donate because they might not be sure about the organization which may be the cause of their "no" so in situation like i will have to ask to know the areas of my information they do not understand and assure them that they won't regret donating .
Hi, am Simene Okontim James, from Nigeria specifically Lagos, is anyone here available to discuss the course with me, and how Tom Wulf explained and lectured during the course. It will be exciting hearing from you guys
Hi, am Simene Okontim James, from Nigeria specifically Lagos, is anyone here available to discuss the course with me, and how Tom Wulf explained and lectured during the course. It will be exciting hearing from you guys
What is one thing you have learned from the experience of rejection or getting a “no” from a donor that can help you be successful in the future? No's are not forever.
I think Identifying the type of a "no" is the most significant insight from this module for me. I hope to use this strategy to approach rejection in the future and to understand that often it is not personal, but rather is about the circumstances.
To accept rejections respectfully.
There are 2 things that stuck with me during the learning process namely: "When requesting for a Donation, request more than you expect to receive" and also "Compliment the Donor and not your Organization."
I learnt that even if I receive a "no" for an answer I have to try as much as possible to treat the person very nicely, because they might change their mind in the future and pull a pleasant surprise on me.
Sure, that is very true. You leave richer if it is yes, and you leave smarter if it is no.
One thing I have learned from an experience of a no is never to give up. You keep trying until you get positive results
Very true because if rejections are accepted respectfully, with time they may turn out positive
I agree. I feel as though the relationship with the individual is just as important as the ask or the cause.
I learnt to handle no to funding and move on and to always have multiple donors in a waiting list
very true despite several rejections there is still need to explore other donors
very true despite several rejections there is still need to explore other donors
I learned that out of every 100 people, 1 will say yes.
In this race you have to be perseverant
It is a path of self-knowledge to know how far you can go without getting discouraged.
It is a great way to apply behavioral psychology
The way is long.
One lesson I learned when a donor says no, is not to be angry and I should not feel bad. I should make a positive something out of the disappointment. I should continue to be nice to the person.
I have learnt that it's of great importance to enquire for the reasons so that I can learn from it. I have also learnt to differentiate between an emphatic no and other responses that may simply indicate that the prospective donor is unsure and hence needing the right approach as well as questions to ensure clarity.
Engaging and involving family members of a donor is also one of the most underrated aspects of this lesson.
A no has many reasons, We kind to know the donor very well, and if we are able to make a good report, they would themselves tell us the exact reason why they are not donating. and then we can customize the plan.