Big Gifts for Small Groups
By Andy Robinson; 112 pages; published by Emerson & Church
You don't have to be a professional fundraiser to solicit major gifts; you don't even need fundraising experience. You just need to believe in your cause. This is the premise of Andy Robinson's latest offering, Big Gifts for Small Groups. Although you may feel a bit skeptical when you read it here, you'll change your mind after reading Robinson's one-hour guide, which aims to help board members secure gifts of $500 to $5,000.
"All the technique in the world can't compensate for a lack of passion," states Robinson. It makes sense, and yet the solicitation process intimidates many board members and other volunteers because they don't have formal training. They forget that they possess something far more important: their passion and dedication to the cause. By debunking common misconceptions about fundraising and addressing taboos about money, the author instills readers with an understanding of what 'the ask' is really all about, and why volunteer fundraisers need not fear it. The second half of the book then outlines the three stages in the major gift solicitation process: the letter, the phone call, and the visit. It also includes sample language for letters and phone calls, as well as responses to objections that often arise.
In an easy-to-read style, Robinson offers straightforward, common sense advice that will acquaint new board members with the process of major gift solicitation, and remind seasoned members of what their role as fundraisers is really all about. Even if you're not part of a small organization, the same principles still apply. 'Major gift' is a relative term, and regardless of the size of the donation or the agency, most fundraisers - volunteer or otherwise - feel nervous or hesitant about asking for money, at least some of the time. Spend an hour with Andy Robinson's book and you're sure to come away more confident and ready to ask for that next major gift, whatever amount it may be.
Buy the book:
Canada: buy through Amazon.ca: CDN$21.98
International: buy through Amazon.com: US$16.47
