Asking Donors to Increase
(I DON’T THINK YOU LOVE ME ANYMORE!)
© The Navigators. Do not use without permission.
The first time I asked my giving partners to increase their support, not one responded. Zero! I was crushed—the old country song came to mind, “I don’t think you love me anymore!”
Over the years gospel-workers have related similar tales about donors increasing—disappointment abounds.
Here’s where I (and others) went wrong. I asked them to increase in a group letter. I said, “If you already support us, please consider an increase.” But it was not specific to each giver.
But…when asked properly, some giving partners will respond.
Appeal to them as you would a non-donor—face-to-face, and name a specific amount or range. If not face-to-face, then skype. The last resort is a phone call followed by a letter followed by another phone call.
Let’s start at the beginning.
First, study your giving partner's’ histories, as in the cartoon above. Identify those who have not increased in three years or more, including monthly, annual and “now and then” givers.
Prayerfully identify three or four to start with. Seek to get a face-to-face meeting or a Skype call.
Pray over their names and start phoning. Here’s an outline—make it fit your situation of course:
After greetings. Thank them for their support. Name the amount they have given/are giving, not merely “Thanks for giving.”
Suggest a meeting. “We’d like to meet to say thank you and to update you on our ministry—what God has done and our plans for the future.
Arrange a time and place. You know how to do that!
During our [lunch] we would also like to give you a financial update.
If they cannot meet, suggest you’d like to send a letter. Perhaps say…
As a giving partner, you have been faithfully supporting us at $50 per month for five years—thank you. You are making a difference.
As we launch a new year, we have a budget increase [and I will be doing more ministry traveling]. We must increase our support by [$640 per month].
We will be contacting new people to join our support team, but we also want to invite a few partners to increase support…you already know us!
So… since we are not able to meet in person, may I send you a letter outlining this idea?
Thank you. I will put the letter in the mail tomorrow and then phone in a week to check back.
Will you offend your partners if you ask them to “give more?” Does it show you’re ungrateful?
If all your newsletters ask for money, then yes, you might offend. But if you communicate ministry news several times each year (without asking), it’s not likely. In my experience, inviting donors to increase strengthens our relationship—but do it one by one.
Don’t ask those who joined your giving team in the past year or two for an increase.
What I did one year: I was not able to visit donors because of heavy overseas travel. So I selected eight, prayed and phoned them .
After chatting a bit, I said, “I would love to come see you, but it is not possible this year because of my overseas travel schedule. But I have here in my hand a ‘five-pound letter’ to send you instead of a visit. But I must warn you, it is also about money!” [laughter].
All eight said yes, “Send it!” I said, “The letter invites you to increase your support [from $50 per month to $80 or $100], but there is no obligation.”
Next, I told a story from our ministry. I closed with, “I’ve been talking a lot…how are you? What is going on in your life these days.”
The calls lasted 20-40 minutes. I was in no hurry.
Action! With a new year coming, now is the time to invite selected partners to increase—one by one! You’ll find out they still love you!
