Webinar: Getting Over the Fear of Asking for Donations (Ayda Sanver, MBA, CFRE)

Getting OverGetting OverThe FEAR of AskingThe FEAR of Asking

for Donationsfor Donations

It doesn’t have to be scary!

Ayda Sanver, MBA, CFREwww.aydasanver.com

©2015 Ayda Sanver Consulting LLC All Rights Reserved

@2015 Ayda Sanver Consulting, LLC 2

About Me

• Ayda Sanver, MBA, CFRE

• 15 years in fundraising

• Author of “Tag, You’re IT-

Now Raise Us Some Money”

• Speaker, trainer, coach


Assumptions• You already have a list of prospects or donors that you can ask.

• You already have a plan for articulating a needs ask with language such as, “Your donation of $X will make Y impact.”

• A downloadble free “Ice-Breaker Phrases Sheet” is available at aydasanver.com.

• Everything we think and feel about money is LEARNED BEHAVIOR. Think back to childhood. We asked for everything without fear!

• Asking anyone about their giving habits is “taboo,” like asking about their political views, religion, or a long list of such things.

• Asking for a donation feels “rude.”

• We don’t like rejection.

4@2015 Ayda Sanver Consulting, LLC

Why Are We Afraid?


• It is cultural. “Money is the root of all evil.”

• Money is something that is private.

• Think about your own attitudes surrounding money. What did you learn growing up?

• We learned, “Money doesn’t grow on trees, or buy happiness.”

• BUT we were also taught to “help the needy,” right? This is the mindset shift you need.

Why Are We Afraid?


Why Are We Afraid?• We fear offending others.

• “My anxiety will show through.”

• “I might feel sick and just stop talking and feel foolish.”

• We fear REJECTION!

• The person will ask questions I can’t answer.

• We don’t know how to handle hearing the word “NO.” It just feels so bad!!


• You got involved for a REASON!

• You have the PASSION!

• Find a story you can tell!

• The “FACES” behind the organization are REAL!

Finding Courage!

Image credit: Pixabay- Kiran Hania

• Gather your facts to be able to answer questions, or be prepared to say, “Let me find the answer and get back to you.”


Making the Ask• Write out a short script, and practice asking friends - just ask for feedback, letting them know what you are learning to do and why (who knows, they might donate, right?)

• Be prepared to hear the word “NO.” More than once, because you will.

• “NO” is not fatal. You might get more “No’s” than “Yeses,” and that is OK!


Keep in mind..• Remember:

It’s always easier to ask if you’ve already made your own gift first (for board members and volunteers.)

Start with small talk, and then build up – talk about the cause, then build up to asking.

Hearing “no” isn’t fatal! It might mean, “Not right now,” or “Not for that cause.”

If you don’t ask, the answer will always be “No!”


“Icebreaker Phrases”1.I have to tell you about this amazing organization I like. I feel strongly about this nonprofit and their work because…Won’t you join me and match my gift of $X?

2.Is the cause of (children/ animals/ poverty/ the environment) important to you?

3.I’m trying to find friends to help me raise funds for this cause; do you have any ideas for me? (Your friend may offer up neat ideas, like hosting a garage sale!)


“Icebreaker Phrases”4.I want to raise $1,000 for this charity, and I have already given my own $100 towards the goal. So, I need 9 friends to join me and donate $100 each (or 18 friends at $50 each, or 36 friends at $25 each) – can I count you among my friends who will help me reach my goal?

5. Can I tell you a neat story? (Tell the story of one person, group, animal, place, etc. that was helped by the nonprofit.)

6. If you make a donation of $X, when I’m half-way to my goal, I will (insert crazy activity here – shave my head, post a video of myself with pie thrown in my face, etc.!)


“Icebreaker Phrases”7. I visited this nonprofit, and I saw their work in

action. They were doing amazing things! Making a donation to them made me feel so good!

8. I’m about to post my fundraising progress on my Facebook page! I’d love to say I found another donor today!

9. I gave $X (higher amount) to this fantastic cause, and my friend gave $Y (lower amount) to help me reach my goal. What do you think about this?

10. Do you know anyone impacted by XYZ? Can you tell me more about how you feel?


Making the Ask

• Make the list of people you will ask LARGE and LONG = chances of greater success.

• If you get a “no, sorry,” then just listen. Understand why they are saying “no.”

• The person you asked might be having other expenditures at the moment, like fixing their car, paying college tuition, etc.

• The more people you ask, the more the likelihood you will get to YES.


THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!!!

Feel free to contact me with follow-up questions, anytime!

Ayda Sanver, MBA, CFREAyda Sanver Consulting, LLCAydasanver.com

[email protected]

Follow Me on Twitter - @AydaSC

Webinar: Getting Over the Fear of Asking for Donations (Ayda Sanver, MBA, CFRE)

Government & Nonprofit

Transcript of Webinar: Getting Over the Fear of Asking for Donations (Ayda Sanver, MBA, CFRE)