You know this saying, right? ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’ Let me tell you, it is TRUE!!
Harley is my big ol’ Appaloosa. He is a grouchy guy at home, but if he even thinks we might be going for a ride, his attitude improves dramatically! He gives me no trouble at all on the trail and he usually wants to trot the whole time. Since he’s such a big fellow, all that exercise makes him sweat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve offered him water on the trail and he’s refused it. I just can’t make this horse drink.
Donors can be like that too. You can give donors every chance in the world to give, but if they aren’t interested or if the timing isn’t right, you can’t force a donation. All you can do is keep offering them the chance to change a life. It’s up to them to take it.
You’re right, Sandy…I wonder, though, if you might tweak that last bit to read “All you can do is keep offering them DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES to change a life.” Some donors respond well to certain types of “asks,” others need a more personal approach, a tangible item being raffled off, a story-oriented “ask,” etc. Some respond to print mailings, others to emails, others still to phone calls or face-to-face “asks” at events or programs they can be involved in. Also, some respond with cash donations, others with invitations to offer advice or suggestions or lead a workshop, and others get fired up over being asked to participate in a project or program.
I totally agree with you Kelly! Donors respond in the way that feels right to them and not all are the same. So it’s important to offer them lots of different ways to give.
-Sandy