Are you looking for ways to make fundraising easier? Look no further than the concept of fundraising ask. Fundraising ask is a great way to rally potential donors around your cause, build stronger relationships with them, and increase donations for your organization. In this blog post, we’ll dive into why using a fundraising ask strategy can be an invaluable tool in your nonprofit’s arsenal—and how it can help you reach more people and raise even more money!
What Is Fundraising Ask?
Fundraising asks are the requests we make to others when raising money for a specific cause or project. They can be verbal, written, or displayed as advertisements. The ask is an opportunity to explain the value of your cause and call on people – whether friends, family members, co-workers, or strangers – to get involved and take action.
Every effective ask should describe the project and why it matters in detail. When done well, fundraising asks can move people to give by energizing their passions and inspiring them to help create positive change.
Why Is It Important For Businesses To Track Their Fundraising Ask?
Businesses should track their fundraising asks in order to ensure that they have reached their desired goal. Keeping track of all their donors and the amount each has pledged provides insight into the progress of achieving their fundraising goal, as well as who style or type is resonating best with different audiences.
It will also help a business identify any unforeseen challenges or roadblocks along the way. The data gathered from tracking can be used to analyze donor trends, create more effective campaigns in the future, and even thank individuals who go above and beyond what they’ve promised.
With a valuable set of information in hand, businesses are better equipped to make decisions that move them forward in reaching success.
How Do You Calculate Fundraising Ask?
What Factors Affect Fundraising Ask?
Fundraising ask amounts can be impacted by a wide range of factors. The size and type of the organization, the amount needed to reach its goals, the campaign’s timeline, the potential donor’s capacity to give, and even the format of the appeal all come into play.
Organization Size:
Larger nonprofits may be able to ask for larger contributions than smaller organizations. This is due in part to the fact that a larger organization may have more of an impact with their work, and therefore donors may be more willing to give more.
Amount Needed:
The total amount of money needed for a campaign or goal can also affect the size of the ask. If the organization is looking to raise a large amount of money, they may need to ask for more from each donor in order to reach their goal.
Timeline:
The timeline of the campaign can affect how much individuals are asked to give. Longer campaigns may be able to spread out fundraising and lower individual asks, but shorter campaigns may require larger asks in order to meet their goals on time.
Potential Donor Capacity:
The potential donor’s capacity to give is also a factor. Individuals with higher income may be asked for a larger donation, while those with lower incomes may be asked for smaller donations. It is important to keep this in mind when making fundraising asks.
Format of the Appeal:
The format of the appeal can also affect the size of the ask. For example, direct mail appeals may have larger asks than online or email solicitations, while personal solicitations may result in higher amounts being asked for. Knowing what type of approach to use and when can help ensure success with fundraising campaigns.
By taking all of these factors into consideration, organizations can ensure that their fundraising asks are appropriate for the given situation.
Why Is Fundraising Ask Important?
Fundraising is an essential way for organizations to secure resources to continue and grow their mission. Asking for donations directly from donors often yields the best results because it personalizes the ask, strengthens relationships, and allows you to give prospective donors specific examples of how their gift can make a difference.
Not only does asking get results, but it’s also an opportunity to build awareness of what your organization is doing and its impact in the world. Every fundraising ask can be another chance to bring attention to your great work, showcase thoughtfulness with tailored questions, and show appreciation for those who help your cause.
So don’t let those important asks go unmade – ensure that each donor feels appreciated and informed!
What Is A Good Fundraising Ask?
A successful fundraising ask should be specific and authentic. Instead of making sweeping demands, such as simply asking for money, try to include an explanation of why their support matters. Explain what the funds will be used for and how they will directly benefit whatever cause you are supporting.
Engage with potential donors by including personal anecdotes that illustrate just how the money is helping, or why the funds are so desperately needed. In addition to money, suggest any other ways a potential donor may help such as volunteer efforts, in-kind gifts, or sharing your organization’s story on social media platforms.
Show donors how much your cause means to you and how grateful you will be for their support in any way possible.
Examples Of Fundraising Ask
Examples of fundraising ask letters are given below:
Church Fundraising Letter
Date|
Your Name
Your Church’s Name
Street
City, State ZIP
Dear Church Member,
We hope this finds you well and that you had a wonderful holiday season! As one of our special church family members, we wanted to let you know about the upcoming big plans for the new year.
It is with great joy that we inform you of our church’s growth. Just like any family, the more members, the more space is needed for everyone to gather. We warmly invite you to be a part of this exciting process and join us for a special event on Sunday afternoon at our church.
This gathering is being held to raise money for the construction of our new sanctuary and bell tower. Just how blessed are we to have so many members that an entirely new structure needs to be built?
The event will include a family-friendly carnival with snacks and drinks available at a small price. All you need to bring is your sense of fun! Admission is free, and any willing contributions of any size are greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions about the event or the new sanctuary and bell tower, please contact our special projects coordinator, _______ at ___________ or by email at _________.
We hope to see you this Sunday! With blessings,
_____
(Pastor’s Signature)
(Pastor’s Name)
Individual Fundraising Letter
Dear (Donor’s Name),
My name is (your name) and I am a (describe your position/situation/background). I am looking to raise (amount of money) to help me pay for my (project/expense/cause/etc.). This project will have a significant impact on those I serve and it is truly important to me.
I’m writing to ask you to support me and my cause. Just a small donation of (amount) can help me further reach my goals and make a real difference.Your donation will go toward (describe exactly what the contribution will be used for). It would mean the world if you could donate, as your contribution could make a real difference to those I serve.
Thank you in advance for your contribution. You have no idea how much it means to me to have your support. Here are the ways you can make a donation:— Make a donation online at (URL of your crowdfunding campaign)— Send a check in the pre-stamped envelope I’ve included (no cash, please!)— Come to my fundraising event on (date) at (location) if applicable Thank you again!
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
(Your typed name)
Strategies To Increase Fundraising Ask
Ask Around
Asking friends, family, and colleagues for donations is a great way to get started with your fundraising efforts. You can also use social media to let everyone know that you are raising money. Don’t be shy about asking people to donate – many will be more than happy to help out!
Sponsorship
Reaching out to local businesses and organizations is a great way to increase your fundraising ask. You can offer sponsors exposure in exchange for their donation, or you could work out an agreement where they get something back from the organization in return for donating.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe and Kickstarter are becoming increasingly popular ways to raise money. They allow you to create campaigns, set donation goals, and easily track donations. You can even use these platforms as a way to reward donors with rewards or gifts in exchange for their contributions.
Online Fundraising
Using online fundraising tools can be an effective way to increase your fundraising ask. You can create tailored landing pages with customized calls to action, as well as automated email campaigns. You can even create your own online store and accept donations directly from customers.
Events
Hosting events is an excellent way to get more people involved in your fundraising efforts. Whether you choose to host a dinner, concert, or movie night – hosting events allows you to engage with potential donors and helps to raise awareness about your organization.
These are just a few strategies to increase your fundraising efforts. With the right tools and a creative approach, you can make sure that your ask reaches as many potential donors as possible.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about starting a fundraiser, or have one already in progress, consider employing an ask to increase your chances of meeting (and even exceeding) your fundraising goals. Remember that people are more likely to give if they feel like their donation will make a difference, so be sure to keep your ask relevant and specific. And finally, don’t forget to thank your donors for their support – every little bit helps!