Comments on: 23 Questions To Ask Donors And Prospects

By: Simone Joyaux

Simone Joyaux — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 15:58:50 +0000

I’m not a gift in will expert. Ask Ligia Peña, for example. You’ll find her on the internet. My university had a form to fill out … which included the approximate value of the gift. BUT … The donor was certainly not obligated to fill that out. And my university sends this form out annually?? Biannually??

My questions here are about learning about the donor…Listening to the donor…This conversation with the donor — and the questions suggested by Leah, Evan, Laura, etc. Are NOT NOT NOT NOT about asking for a gift or learning about a gift.

By: Simone Joyaux

Simone Joyaux — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 13:12:04 +0000

Such cool comments to you all. Thank you thank you. The interview that Tom and I had – years ago – with the Rhode Island Community Foundation…about our bequest…was one of the most marvelous experiences of my life. and that’s why I wrote all these questions.

By: Simone Joyaux

Simone Joyaux — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 11:33:15 +0000

My university grciously requests if the bequest to them is still in my will…. and if I might estimate it’s value. I have no problem with that. And it was my choice to send the section of my will to each of the bequest recipients.

What do others say?

By: Alix Sundquist

Alix Sundquist — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:10:56 +0000

Is it appropriate to ask a donor the estimated amount of his/her bequest to an organization? I have two non-profits in my will, my college and a foundation. The foundation has asked not just for a signed pledge but also an estimated amount of the bequest “for our records.” Is this customary? The college only required a simple notification. Please advise.

By: Evan

Evan — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:52:26 +0000

Good list. As a general rule, I always use the words “describe”, “share with me”, “explain” when prefacing a question to invite more dialogue and reduce the chance of a simple one sentence or one word response.

Perhaps my favorite question, not specific to any one non-profit’s mission in particular is this: “Describe the most rewarding experience you have had as a donor.”

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[…] 23 Questions to Ask Donors and Prospects Two-way interactions (i.e., the donor talks back to the charity) significantly improve retention. Here are 23 questions to ask donors, prospects and, often, the predisposed… by Simone Joyaux […]

By: Leah Eustace

Leah Eustace — Sat, 03 May 2014 20:57:57 +0000

Great list! I did a seminar last year on how to gather stories from donors (and how to prepare for and interview them). I wrote it up here: http://blog.goodworksco.ca/speaking_training/how-to-gather-write-and-publish-your-donor-stories/, and included a long list of questions to ask here: http://blog.goodworksco.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Sample-GW-Interview-Questions-feb-2013.pdf

Some of the questions are repeats of what you have above, and some are new.

By: Laura Neidig

Laura Neidig — Thu, 01 May 2014 13:01:05 +0000

Excellent post! In my experience working with non-profits, often too much time is spent talking about oneself; instead of asking questions about the prospective donor. Thanks for great food for thought!