Example Fundraising Scripts to Use When Asking for Donations

For example, say your nonprofit is trying to end the cycle of homelessness in a specific area. Your cold calling script should highlight that problem and how important it is for you to raise money so that you can achieve this goal. At Social Impact Solutions, we recommend this be front and center in your fundraising script, so your request lays out an easy pathway for potential donors to become change-makers. Keela’s donor management platform is your allies in personalization.

Notice how the themes and asks are similar, if not identical, throughout all the channels. Maintaining that uniformity is essential, so each touchpoint acts as a nudge. The amounts will change by the person, but they should be uniform throughout channels for one individual. As Giving Tuesday approaches, you want to focus on acquiring prospects and nurturing them to donate.

  1. Even if someone says no, the details you add to your database for these people may help create a donor in the future.
  2. In most cases, your caller will be able to sense it and can try to explain the cause or share information that might change their decision.
  3. Have you ever wondered how organizations manage to inspire people to take action and support their causes?
  4. Crafting a fundraising script that resonates with your audience requires a strategic interplay of key components.
  5. Here’s a breakdown of the elements of a Giving Tuesday fundraising script.

Consider A/B testing with donors to see which version performs better. The whole point of a script is to allow the agent to be well-prepared for the conversation they are undertaking. For example, many of the universities we help here at contactSPACE tailor their script based on the degree the student undertook, as well as their major.

You can either copy and paste or modify them to suit your own fundraising campaign. Here are some example scripts you can use in your fundraising efforts. Remember, fundraising is about building relationships and trust with your donor base.

Emotionally Engaging Story

Notice here that we did not use a question that prompts an immediate yes or no answer, such as “Do you mind if I explain quickly why we need help right now? I appreciate that you already contribute to other charitable organisations. This would be enough to provide vet checkups for five sick or starving animals that come into our care. Now that the question has been asked, there are a few different objections that could potentially come up.

Let them know this information will be sent to them so they don’t have to worry about remembering it. Ensuring simplicity, security, and transparency in the donation process are surefire methods for attaining new donors and retaining current ones. Practice and refine your scripts to create a more engaging and persuasive message that resonates with potential donors.

But on the other hand, it still needs to be clear that more funds are desperately needed for your not-for-profit to achieve its mission. Here at contactSPACE, we built something called a CallGuide® to help manage your usage of scripts. In the past, we have had a large number of students contributing small amounts, allowing us to reach our targets with relatively few major donations. The scholarships we have provided so far have been funded mostly by donations as little as $X to $Y.

[Webinar] Transform the transaction: How to ask for donations with empathy and authenticity

Also, this is the right time for you to let them know about any upcoming fundraising events or campaigns they might be interested in. Be sure to ask for amounts that fit the type of donor you call. Performing donor wealth research and segmentation beforehand would be helpful in this case.

While this approach can be challenging, it offers unique benefits and opportunities for expanding your donor base. If you can adequately overcome obstacles, you will maximize the potential of this fundraising method. Some donors are turned off when they feel that the call is just another donation request. This tactic will help you gain their trust, make them comfortable, and then make the ask. The following script sample can be used after much of the initial outreach has been accomplished. You should have already sent them details about the project you wish them to fund at this point in your relationship.

No matter whether you’re raising money for a charity, a community organisation, or a college/university, having the right messaging is absolutely crucial. Stories are bridges that connect your mission with the hearts of your audience. Integrating real-life stories or relatable examples can create a profound emotional resonance.

It guides you through the essential elements of the call, from introducing yourself and your organization to clearly articulating the purpose of your outreach. Keela’s smart ask features take personalization to the next level. By analyzing donor data, you can determine appropriate donation amounts that match their giving history. This tailored approach makes your ask more compelling and relatable.

Responsive Fundraising

Start by asking for a reasonable amount, but perhaps a little higher than what you expect to get. Many people will say they don’t have the funds for it right now, at which point you can ask for a smaller contribution. If they’re invested in the cause, they’ll likely find an amount they’re comfortable contributing.

Handy and well-prepared fundraising scripts become essential in such cases. As you can see, well-crafted fundraising scripts play a crucial role in achieving campaign goals and connecting with potential donors. It helps to create a compelling narrative that captures the attention and emotions of potential donors. Fundraising scripts play a crucial role in helping campaigns raise money more effectively.

We don’t have enough shelters to care for all of the abandoned pets we pick up, which means we are still forced to euthanise animals every single day. They’re not capable of fending for themselves, especially in urban environments. When they come into our care, these animals are often sick, cold, and extremely malnourished.

Dynamic Campaigns Starter Pack

Your fundraising calls are a critical part of your overall donor stewardship strategy. When you take a strategic, personalized approach to setting up meetings and asking for donations, you can meet donors where they are using an appeal that resonates with them. This helps lay the groundwork for better donor relationships for years to come. The more information you have about the person you’re calling, the easier it is to engage with them and create a personalised message. However, sometimes you have to make do with the data you’ve got.

In that case, adapting those scripts for different audiences and donor segments is essential. The following script templates are for 3 different fundraising https://simple-accounting.org/ calls you will make to donors. Each sample includes the same five steps but extra tips or suggestions to address common concerns for each donor type.