183 days.
That’s how long it took Bob to mail in a check for $25,000 after I asked him for the gift on a first visit.
The day we met I had 45 minutes on his calendar, but we spent 4 hours together.
It was one of my favorite visits.
Great conversation, an impromptu trip to a restaurant, and a new friendship.
He was so excited about our mission!
He texted his best friend after I left to put me in touch with him as he thought he would want to help too.
After I asked him for the $25,000 he said, “someone else asked me for $25,000 yesterday, but I’m way more excited about this.”
It seemed like a no-brainer.
I thought for sure the check would be sent out almost immediately.
Then I started to follow-up and… nothing.
Months went by without me being able to get any response from Bob.
After 6 months, his check finally arrived, but only after having another visit in person.
Bob had a lot of stuff going on in his life: he was a business owner, sick family members, travel, etc.
It’s easy to see a lack of action towards a gift as disinterest.
Many people would give up and say that Bob’s just not interested.
DON’T!
More often than not, people just have a lot going on.
The fortune is in the follow-up!
Related Resources:
- “One Visit Away” podcast
- Webinar: Scheduling Visits is Scary…but it doesn’t have to be that way.
- Why your greatest enemy in major gifts fundraising is the status quo
- 10 Follow-Up Questions You’ll Need to Deepen Your Conversation with Major Donors (and One to Avoid)