How to ask for support

20 Feb 2020 01:48 PM

Following their evaluation of the Arts Council's Catalyst: Evolve programme, designed to help arts organisations become more effective fundraisers, Rossella Traverso and Richard Naylor from BOP Consulting share their lessons on how to make an effective ask for charitable support.

Dancers wearing orange perform in a paved outdoor square between fountains of water

Asking for financial support can be a daunting prospect, but there are things you can do to make it easier and more effective.  Here are our top tips for making the ask.

1. Don’t treat it as the first stage of the fundraising process

A lot of work has to happen to get you to the point where you can ask for money, including:

  1. Propensity – Do they have philanthropic ambitions?
  2. Capacity – Do they have the means to support you?
  3. Relationship – Is there already a connection between the potential donor and your organisation?

2. Lay the groundwork to support an effective ask

You have identified who you want to approach, carried out your research and begun cultivating a relationship with them. Now what’s the best way to ask for a donation?

3. And finally, make sure you DON’T….