Philanthropy Counts
While I cover some general career topics, most of my readership are those with some role in the process of asking for charitable gifts. Yet I need to ask, can those of you in the business of getting people to support the nonprofit world do your job without doing so yourself? Are you a philanthropist?
Not a huge one, but do you make charitable gifts yourself?
How is this a career move? Because your ability to put yourself in the donor’s shoes could make or break your candidacy for your next job. You may find it easy to ask for that gift – whether it’s by mail, over the phone, or in person – but whether you get it may hinge on whether your prospect thinks that you "get" what you’re asking them to do. That will make you more successful — a great career move.
Matt:
This is a huge point for me! There is so much power in the simple words “I invite you to join me in support of “Worthy Project.” and really mean it. The sincerity that you’ll naturally harness is very powerful … and will impact your prospect.
And if that prospect questions your assertion of participation, you want to be prepared to express your very personal commitment to the same values and “dreams for change in the world” that your prospect may hold. There isn’t any better way, I know of, to speak our donors “language”.
It’s a big one. Thanks for sharing, Matt.