The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Marcys Major Gifts Makeover
Making an Artful Ask! Slide 2 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim T HE
A RTFUL A SKER Marcy Heim, CFRE Founder & Principal Marcy Heim,
CFRE, is an author, speaker and coach for those transforming the
world through philanthropy. Her direct and entertaining style
reflects over twenty years of in-the-trenches, major gift
fundraising and management success where she and her team raised
millions by creating the genuine relationships she promotes in her
popular sessions. "Empowering Development Ambassadors is Marcys
book on major gift relationship-building and the role of both
methods and mindset in success. Slide 3 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy
Heim Session Goals The power & joy of philanthropy Why people
give/the Words we use The Cycle of Successful Relationships
overview Making an ask & WRITE your ask! Throughout Our
MINDSET! Slide 4 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Whats the cause?
Cant you just give? Must there always be a cause? Slide 5 The
Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Philanthropy: A Definition From the
Greek word, philanthrapia, meaning love of humankind. The effort or
inclination to increase the WELL-BEING of all through the giving of
ones time, talent or money for the GREATER GOOD. Community
Foundation of Greater Wood County Slide 6 The Artful Asker 2013
Marcy Heim Why Do People Give? They believe in your mission and
want to make a difference ***** They are asked They believe you are
stable & ethical They want to honor someone/thing They want to
extend their values They have a high regard for the staff and the
volunteer leadership They want to belong to something and help
their community Slide 7 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Reasons
That Do Not Play a Big Role in Creating A Joyful Giver Guilt/Strong
Arm To meet our numbers For Recognition Promotional Materials and
Proposals To Reduce or Avoid Taxes Slide 8 The Artful Asker 2013
Marcy Heim Universal Vision You want to compose a good world it is
an honorable and noble profession. Maya Angelou Let your vocabulary
reflect your attitude! Slide 9 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Why
you are you here? Our role, responsibility and opportunity to make
the world a better place. And every day, it is your choice.
Limiting Beliefs Slide 10 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim We
become what we think about! Earl Nightingale The Strangest Secret
Slide 11 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Declarations about
Raising Major Gifts My cause is worthy of peoples investment We are
a sound and accountable organization We make a difference and I am
proud of what we do People love to give me money! By giving to my
organization, my donors experience the joy of philanthropy! It
feels GREAT! I delight in hearing about gifts to other
organizations I love to give to my organization myself Slide 12 The
Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Examine Your Beliefs "Our beliefs can
move us forward in life, or they can hold us back. Oprah Ive heard
this before Slide 13 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Lets Get The
Money! hit up put the arm on The bottom line loaded milk should
give ought to give owes us Contacts per month get into his/her
pockets pick the low hanging fruit Dream Make a difference Gift
Consider Impact/Hope Meaningful Exciting/Passion
Sustaining/Enduring Possibilities/Imagine What to you think?
Opportunity to invest Thank you/Gratitude What about? Prospect
Suspect Follow up Strategy Move you Pitch Close Qualify Slide 14
The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Why are the words we use so
important? Our words define who we are to others, how we feel about
ourselves and how we choose to be seen by the world. Slide 15 The
Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim BUTIts more than just the words you
use you need to really mean them. Marcy Heim Slide 16 The Artful
Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Philanthropy is the Mystical Mingling of a
joyous giver, an artful asker, and a grateful recipient. Douglas M.
Lawson (1936) WRITE THIS DOWN! Slide 17 The Artful Asker Cycle of
Successful Relationships Creating the Joyful Giver Engagement
Making the Artful Ask NO maybe yes acknowledge Invoking the
Grateful Recipient Show Creativity Consider Shared Values &
Interests Begin the Conversation Used with permission from Don Gray
/Douglas Lawson Additional Interest 2010 The Artful Asker LLC,
www.MarcyHeim.com [email protected] cell:
608-772-6777www.MarcyHeim.com A Donor Story Slide 18 The Artful
Asker 2013 Marcy Heim The Math of Major Gift Work For each major
gift (>$25K), you need three prospective major givers On
average, a major gift is closed after 9 meaningful contacts, or
between 6 mos-2yrs Thus to get 5 new major gifts requires 3 x 9 x 5
= 135 meaningful contacts. Slide 19 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy
Heim 5 Laws About Money Money likes clarity. Telling your personal
story. Blaming, tangents, broadcast approaches. When you arent
clear, you dont connect, Clear values, message, impact Money comes
through people so its never about the money. Money is the vehicle
that connects shared values Money likes certainty. Opportunities
for Giving. This is what this amount will do. Money likes
consistency. The key to more & larger giving. It is not an
event, it is a flow-a relationship you can count on. Money likes
systems.(not winging it) Rain barrel directs to impact Slide 20 The
Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Beginning the Conversation Think about
people like you---who share your values and interests Be VERY clear
on why you champion, invite and invest money likes clarity Make
connections between opportunities to give and givers interests with
your needs Share your story anywhere and anytime! Slide 21 The
Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Creating Joyful Givers Make
communicating with others a priority newsletters, website, etc.
Telling the story! Board/volunteers play a key role here for their
own 1:1 connections & to connect staff Money comes through
people. Consistency. Let the relationship evolve Grandchildren
syndrome Create EXPERIENCES big and small to be involved and see
first-hand the impact (Invite) Talk/listen about what you need get
to dollars/impact Money loves certainty. Slide 22 The Artful Asker
2013 Marcy Heim Making an Artful Ask Make an ask only if you are
comfortable in doing so Arrange the ask call for staff Agree to be
a member of the asking team Serve as the testimonial regarding the
organization Discuss the impact a gift will have on your
organization Be a role model for a similar level of giving Show
strong support for organizations mission/priorities Support a
potential givers inclination to support another project Slide 23
The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Being a Grateful Recipient Steward
the gift, donor and a culture of stewardship Money loves systems.
Its all about demonstrating IMPACT Be genuinely grateful, Listen
for any concerns or questions Deepen and continue the personal
relationship. Money love consistency. Thank people whenever
appropriate and in a variety of ways not 10 form letters Be
creative and watch for the sparkle. Listen for new interests in
your organization Slide 24 The Artful Asker Cycle of Successful
Relationships Creating the Joyful Giver Engagement Making the
Artful Ask NO maybe yes acknowledge Invoking the Grateful Recipient
Show Creativity Consider Shared Values & Interests Begin the
Conversation Used with permission from Don Gray /Douglas Lawson
Additional Interest 2010 The Artful Asker LLC, www.MarcyHeim.com
[email protected] cell: 608-772-6777www.MarcyHeim.com Slide 25 The
Artful Asker Cycle of Successful Relationships Creating the Joyful
Giver Making the Artful Ask NO maybe yes acknowledge Invoking the
Grateful Recipient Show Creativity Consider Shared Values &
Interests Begin the Conversation Used with permission from Don Gray
/Douglas Lawson Additional Interest 2010 The Artful Asker LLC,
www.MarcyHeim.com [email protected] cell:
608-772-6777www.MarcyHeim.com They agree on the value of our
organization/mission. They agree with the vision of our leadership.
They see that private support is needed for this project to happen.
We have a relationship built on trust and have talked through all
the concerns they have about giving methods and the project. We
have talked about different specific components and giving levels
and found a project that accomplishes their dream. WOULD YOU
CONSIDER Slide 26 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Major Issues in
Asking What are the important linkages? How much do you ask for?
Who makes the ask? Where is the best location to make an ask? What
do you send out ahead of the call? When is the timing right? How do
you make an artful ask? Common pitfalls in making an ask? What do
you say when.responding to objections. How do you follow up? What
do you do if the answer is no? Or YES! Slide 27 The Artful Asker
2013 Marcy Heim Review the Cycle to Date Make it Right Motivation
and values, knowledge, decision-maker, concerns, preferences for
involvement, giving and stewardship. Slide 28 The Artful Asker 2013
Marcy Heim Research and Discovery When is the timing right? What is
the right amount? Who makes the ask? Where is the ask made? Listen
for signals: Listen, Listen, Listen Ask thoughtful questions
Develop a touch for knowing Remember: this is an art, and a science
Readyaimaimaimaim Slide 29 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim How
Much do you Ask For? Using your 6-9 meaningful contacts, you have
assessed the potential through your conversations personally and
through involving others in the action plan for the donor. You
believe you have found a fit with the givers interest and capacity.
Talk about dollars to accomplish a certain impact and listen,
listen, listen In cultivation, review costs today. Ask for somewhat
more than the persons estimated ability. Most people are flattered.
Discuss the form of the gift, the payment period and possible
combinations of outright and deferred. Slide 30 The Artful Asker
2013 Marcy Heim Who makes the ask? The development professional
generally speaks the ask. A high ranking administrator. A volunteer
or board member. An expert on the project Who should be part of the
team to visit with David about his gift? Slide 31 The Artful Asker
2013 Marcy Heim Where is the Ask Made? Wherever the potential giver
is most comfortable Avoid noisy restaurants Avoid quiet restaurants
Best places: donors home, with spouse. Pay attention to setting;
make it classy home office campus restaurant ? Slide 32 The Artful
Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Rehearse/Role-play WRITE OUT the ask Practice
the ask Define roles of team members and role- play the call bestow
honor/praise show organizational pride be considerate; ask for
consideration state specific amount state specific purpose Be quiet
Slide 33 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Is this an Artful Ask?
bestow honor/praise show organizational pride be considerate; ask
for consideration state specific amount state specific purpose Be
quiet Joe, you are one of the most successful and highly respected
leaders in our community. Your service on our Board has been
instrumental to our success in creating and expanding our Garden
project. We know you understand, in addition to the beauty, what an
important teaching tool this is for us. Would you consider a gift
of $50,000 to establish the Joe Smith Garden Outreach Program
endowment? Slide 34 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim What are the
Common Pitfalls in Making the Ask? We talk too much Ask sounds cold
or inconsiderate We use words like should and ought We ask
apologetically and are embarrassed Eye contact breaks down The ask
is rushed We break the silence too soon after ask is made Slide 35
The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Respond to Objections Institution
or Organization Based Project/Program Fit or Implementation Dollar
Amount is a Challenge Reflection and Consideration Slide 36 The
Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Project/Program Fit or Implementation
Concerns regarding impact and importance Outline addressing
concerns in plan for follow up determined at the ask visit Take
project concerns in steps 'Will check and get back to you. Shows
thoughtful consideration. Address concerns and details in a
Memorandum of Agreement or Pledge Document. Can I share with
department? for follow up of specific concerns. Address concerns in
follow up phone calls and correspondences from key people Take care
not to create the fit inappropriately. (in other words, try to
create a program to meet their interests thats not in your
priorities) Slide 37 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Dollar Amount
is a Challenge Too much Thats a lot of Money! Sounds like you are
wondering why we need that amount in order to do X Gifts over time
Annual now with endowment from estate Mix of both annual and
endowment Annual only Has just made another gift Start next year
(or at some point in the future) Annual this year or even beyond
Sounds like you want to do this but we need to talk about ways to
do this. I can share how others have handled this. Agree to do gift
in estate Wonderful! Later visit re experiencing during lifetime
Partner with others (planned giving staff/member of Board) Slide 38
The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Respect and Gratitude Seldom will
you close a major gift on the asking call Plan ahead for following
up Establish the next step Be considerate, thank the person, be
grateful Slide 39 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim What Do You Do
if the Answer is YES? Make sure all appropriate people say thank
you Design a creative plan to continue saying thanks Continue
visiting the giver and listening for next opportunity Keep working
the Cycle!!!!! BE GRATEFUL! Yippee Slide 40 The Artful Asker 2013
Marcy Heim Multiple asks The annual fund is still the annual fund
accomplishing all it does. Planned gifts provide amazing options
for your major gift donors. Donors support causes/projects/programs
of interest to THEM. In other words: DONT ASSUME. YOU KNOW WHAT
YOUR DONOR IS INTERESTED IN. THEY WILL BE OFFENDED BY THE ANNUAL
FUND ASK. THEY WILL GIVE YOU LESS IF THEY SUPPORT SOMETHING ELSE.
THEY NEED YOU TO CONVINCE THEM. THEY WILL BE OFFENDED BY MULTIPLE
ASKS. Slide 41 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Adages about Asking
(all true) You almost never get the gift you do not ask for You
must earn the right to ask You must balance the art and the science
You must focus on serving your donor Nothing is more rewarding than
the results and impact of an artful ask Slide 42 The Artful Asker
2013 Marcy Heim Lack versus Abundance Lack is metrics driven,
Abundance is metrics supported Lack says either/or, Abundance says
BOTH Lack sees obstacles, Abundance sees opportunities. Lack says I
already know this, Abundance says There is always more to learn
Lack is fear, Abundance is Pushing past fear Lack is being a
victim, Abundance is taking responsibility Slide 43 The Artful
Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Take back the power and knowledge that you
create everything in your lifeand everything that is NOT in it.
Slide 44 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Exercise Write your
Declarations Affirmation a positive statement asserting that a goal
you wish to achieve is already happening. Declaration to state an
official intention to undertake a particular course of action or
adopt a particular status. Slide 45 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy
Heim Challenge/Declaration Challenge Im just dont get the breaks
Either I will be successful or have enough time for my family Rich
people are greedy pigs He will say no to this ask She really doesnt
want to meet with me about giving I dont really know how to talk
about all the options Declaration I create my life I can have both
a successful career and time for my family I model and respect rich
people People love to give me money Our college is worthy of her
investment I promote the value of gifts to our cause with passion
and enthusiasm Slide 46 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Summary of
Important Points Respect and honor your donors. As you deepen your
relationships, be true to shared values and have honorable goals.
Employ metrics to serve the relationship- building process and to
help you organize and record the information needed for you to best
help your donors accomplish their giving goals. What is measured,
grows. Slide 47 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim Summary of
Important Points Set numerical benchmarks based on your mix of job
responsibilities, years in development work, life experiences,
tenure at this institution and donor base demographics (travel,
age, etc). How far ABOVE these will you aim? Set benchmarks that
challenge you to manage your time well and put in an honest days
work. Focus on building the relationships and serving the donor and
the money will follow. Slide 48 The Artful Asker 2013 Marcy Heim
608-772-6777 [email protected]@marcyheim.com
www.marcyheim.com Thank You! Please join my e-newsletter list!
