The Gift of The Ask

I was struck this past Christmas by something my 13-year-old son did.

Leading up to Christmas he made a wish list, he kept running to the tree to see if his name was on a package, he talked about how excited he was to get his presents; but on Christmas morning something flipped.

When we sat around the tree to open gifts, he asked “Can I go first?” Given permission he ran to the tree and grabbed the gifts he had bought for his parents and sister and handed them out with a beaming smile on his face. Without even realizing it, he demonstrated that deep down, he was more excited about giving than getting.

I’m not sure why fundraisers often feel bad about asking for money. Perhaps they feel like it cheapens the relationship. Remember, your gift to your Donors is asking them for money. You are giving them a gift that will give them that beaming smile.

“I ask for money standing up, not bowing down because I believe in what I am about. I believe I have something important to offer.” (Henri J.M. Noewen, A Spirituality of Fundraising).

– Cam