Just Ask - Rethinking Development

Have you ever had someone you wanted to approach for support but felt like you couldn’t get past the door? You are not alone! Every fundraiser encounters this. The principal today is that everybody has someone to whom they can’t say no. If you can master this principle, benefactors who may have been untouchable before, will be open to you. This episode, Bryan hosts Greg‘s discussion on the science...

Asking volunteers to help fundraise takes time, especially the first time you ask, but it ultimately pays off. If you’ve ever wondered whether involving volunteers is worth the effort, this one’s for you. Greg makes a strong case for involving volunteers in your fundraising efforts.

Have you ever found yourself in the “Friendzone?” How about the “Fundraising Friendzone”. This is where a fundraiser has the perfect person to partner with their mission, but they somehow never get around to asking for support. They’re stuck in the Friendzone. Bryan and Greg discuss 3 ways you can fight your way out of the Friendzone and start partnering with the benefactors your cause needs.

Where is your time best spent? Every fundraiser must answer this question day in and day out. Greg shares why you should invest limited resources into prospects with the greatest potential for return. Learn how to reduce low value fundraising efforts and maximize the limited time you have. Greg outlines how execute this latest Principle of Development Strategy and avoid pitfalls along the way.

No, we’re not talking about taking pride in your work. This week Bryan and Greg dive into the philosophical depths of how the ancient sin of pride slips into our field of fundraising. In this episode you’ll learn: why fundraisers use so many arbitrary titles, how pride enters fundraising from a fundraiser and donor perspective, and why fundraisers can be honest about what we do and still be proud...

Greg reminds us all of a golden rule in fundraising: your current donors are your best future donors. Why? Find out as Bryan hosts Greg’s discussion on this tried and and true method to raising greater support.

You want to raise funds? How do you know if you can raise the money to reach your goal? Greg shares how you need two types of estimates before you begin: income and expense. Bryan hosts the discussion on Greg’s third principle of development strategy.

Bryan and Greg continue the discussion on what makes an "Ask" for support good. This episode focuses on effective strategies for when and how to make the right ask.

How much should you ask someone to give to your cause? What constitutes a major gift? What are the elements that separate a bad proposal from a good one? Listen to part one of a two part conversation on this critical fundraising topic. Bryan dives into the hallmarks of a good "ask" as Greg hosts the discussion. 

Today we cover the 2nd of 8 Principles of Development Strategy: in every fundraising initiative, first identify you best prospects. Greg breaks this down into the impact for annual and campaign drives as Bryan hosts.

Greg highlights the 1st of 8 Principles of Development Strategy: people support what they help to create . These are principles Greg has gleaned from his 30+ years working in development. Bryan hosts the discussion as Greg breaks down why your work with benefactors will bear greater fruit when you use this approach.

Can someone be a fund-raiser on the side? Why does it seem so hard to balance your development duties with your non-fundraising tasks? Bryan and Greg make the case for why you can't approach development with a 50/50 attitude.

Bryan breaks down 3 reasons people fail to ask for the support they need.  Anyone raising funds can relate to this feeling. You make a great presentation to a potential supporter and the moment arrives to ask for a gift... but then you don't. What holds us back from taking advantage of the God given opportunities we find before us? Find out as Bryan and Greg discuss this topic.

For any fundraising endeavor to succeed, you need the right benefactors to invest. The old saying in development goes, “involvement precedes investment.” Greg lays out tangible examples of the “why and how” to involve the benefactors you need most as Bryan hosts the discussion.

Have you talked to {insert untouchable major sports player} about your project? Did you see that {Blank} sold their business for $$$ ? Many people believe fundraising is as easy as reading the paper for the latest millionaire. Bryan breaks down the actual steps to find the best prospects for your fundraising endeavor as Greg hosts the discussion.

Listen as co-hosts, Greg Jeffrey and Bryan Wilburn pull back the veil on fundraising. This episode lays out a roadmap for this podcast series.