Recently, I was involved in a strategy meeting with the president, vice president, and campaign chair for a higher education institution.  The vice president was discussing how a key high wealth donor prospect had become excited about the purpose of the campaign and that a solicitation had occurred.  She said, “Our major gift officer was […]

Actually, this phrase is wrong.  It can hurt to ask.  Sometimes it can hurt bad. When you ask too soon in a relationship, you can appear greedy or needy.  When you ask too late, you can appear slack or, worse, disinterested.  Asking for something that a donor has no interest in can suggest you haven’t […]