Mid-Career

Pre-Ask

Before making a big ask, how certain are you that this is the right project, amount, and time to make this request of this particular prospect?

The Most Important Gift We Rarely Talk About

Step gifts, often referred to as a "test gifts," are one of the most important concepts we want you to take to heart.

Donor Upgrades Gift . . . Now What?

Jenna Smith is a major gift officer who has an established relationship with a long-time donor to her organization named Roger Sherman, who has made annual gifts in the $1,000 range for the past 10 years--some made via check, others via credit card.At her recent meeting with Roger ...

The Meeting

This meeting is little different from any other meeting you have previously had with the donor prospect; how are you going to control the environment and the flow of the meeting?

Introduction to The Ask Course

Your Reason for Being

It's time to focus on your reason for being here: you are taking the steps to secure resources in support of your organization's mission.

Often, articles and courses about gift requests have titles like, "How To Get Big Gifts." You won't find anything like that at Philanthropy Works. We have been doing this work a long time, and we know gifts are given, not acquired.

What is My Donor Thinking?

You can assume your donor is wondering all these things, whether they ask directly or not.

Estate Plan: 10 Things You Must Know

Let's take a look at 10 things that are important to understand when you sit down with a donor prospect to discuss making a gift via estate plan.

Estate Planning: Questions to Ask

Let's examine the questions you need to have handy when you sit down with a donor prospect to discuss the possibility of making a gift via their estate plan. Of course, equally important to the conversation is how you frame these questions, and having a handle on what information you can provide that may allow them to consider including your organization in their estate.

1. Is your donor prospect's estate plan current?

Also, be prepared to answer questions from the donor about whether you yourself have a current estate plan.

The Perfect Time for "The Perfect Question"

If there was ever a year when your organization should be receiving gifts of securities, this is it.

Real Estate: Questions to Ask

You ask your donor the Perfect Question, and when you do, they inform you that they no longer use their condo in Florida, and as such want to get rid of it. With a little more conversation, you find that they're interested in learning more about how to use the condo to make a difference for your organization.

In determining if the condo will make a smart gift for your organization and your donor, there are a number of questions that you need to have answered:

1. What is the property type?