Sometimes, the prospective major donor is not ready to be invited to give.
She needs to learn more about the initiative. She has questions. She hasn’t made a major gift previously. There could be any number of different reasons.
Other times, the relationship between you and the prospective major donor is not ready for the invitation to give.
There isn’t enough trust built yet. It feels too soon. You don’t know enough about her interests and values to propose the right initiative for the right amount and with the right stewardship plans. Again, there could be any number of different reasons.
As is similar for comedians, honing your sense of philanthropic timing is critical for advancement professionals.
Rushing the invitation to give doesn’t mean you won’t receive a gift. But, it almost always means you won’t receive the best possible gift.
