When it comes to hosting a successful fundraiser, a good place to start is at the beginning, and that means preparing your sellers to ask for support from people in the community. That leads to the age-old fundraising question: how do you ask for donations?
Many adults have difficulties asking people for something, especially strangers, so you can only imagine how hard it is for kids. If this is the first time some members of your group are participating in a fundraiser, providing them with some tips and tools on how to ask for donations will go a long way to making them feel more comfortable when reaching out to potential supporters. The more comfortable your sellers are, the more people they will ask. The more people they ask the more likely it is that you will reach your fundraising goals.
Tips on How to Ask for Donations During a Fundraiser
1. Practice asking
As we already mentioned, the most daunting part of a fundraiser is asking people to buy your product. Help your group prepare for this task by having them practice what they would like to say. This way they feel more confident when it is time to ask for donations!
Not sure what to say? Check out our sample scripts and posts below!
2. Make a list
Have the sellers in your group make a list of people they can ask to support their fundraiser. Typically, sellers are going to be more successful getting people they know to buy than people they don’t. Having them start off by asking family and friends will help them practice their asking technique and let them slowly get more comfortable with asking people to donate to or purchase from their fundraiser.
If you want more tips on finding supporters for your fundraiser, check out our previous blog post on the topic.
3. Know your product
Have your group learn as much as they can about the product(s) that they will be selling. When you know your product, it becomes easier to sell. Your sellers should know what the product is called, the different versions of the product available, and any special features of the product.
4. Know the “why”
Always be ready to explain the “why”. People want to know about the cause that they are supporting and where their money is going. It’s easier for people to give when they know their support is helping to make a difference in their community. Coach your sellers on the “whys” behind your fundraiser and the goals you are hoping to achieve.
5. Keep it brief
Remember that the people you’re reaching out to may only be able to give you a little bit of their time. Make your request brief and to the point while also including all the necessary information about your fundraiser and your product(s).
6. Always say thank you
Saying “thank you” is a big part of a successful fundraiser. Regardless of whether someone buys or not, always thank them for their time and consideration.
How you treat people really makes a difference. By showing kindness and respect, you may be encouraging those people to make a purchase later or point you towards another person who may be interested in supporting your cause. So, remind your sellers to always leave a good impression by giving a smile and a “thank you” after every ask.
7. Focus on the “Yeses” not the “Nos”
No one likes to hear the word “no”. However, it’s very unlikely that a seller will get a “yes” from every single person they ask, and that’s okay! Tell your sellers that getting a “no” doesn’t mean they did a bad job. It could mean the person they asked may not have extra money to spend or that they just aren’t that interested in the product. If your sellers keep practicing and keep asking, they’ll hear plenty of “yeses” that will overshadow those few “nos”.
Sample Fundraising Scripts and Post Examples
How can you most effectively get someone’s attention when you ask them for donations to your fundraiser? What do you say or write to convince people to support you? It’s very important to tailor your message to your audience when you’re asking people for their support. What you say when asking for a donation in person will be different than what you would write on social media.
Here are some pointers on what to say when selling for a fundraiser. Our responses below are for a Butter Braid® Pastry fundraiser, but you can customize them to fit any product fundraiser.
In Person
“Hi, my name is (name). My group, (insert group name), is running a Butter Braid® Pastry fundraiser to raise funds for (insert purpose). My goal is to sell (insert number) pastries. Could you please help me reach my goal and support my group by purchasing some delicious pastries? I will deliver them to you when they arrive. Thank you for your time and support!”
By Email
With our online store, you can easily send out your personal store link to supporters through email or social media by clicking on the icon. Below is an example of an email you can use to ask for donations along with that direct store link.
“Hi (Supporter’s Name),
(Group Name) is raising money for (fundraiser purpose). Please help me reach my goal by purchasing some of our delicious Butter Braid® Pastries. The sale ends on (last day of fundraiser), so don’t wait to order! I will deliver your order to you once it arrives. You can contact me with your order, or you can place an order online: (online store link). Thank you for your time and support!
Sincerely,
(Name)”
By Text
“Hi (Supporter’s Name)! I’m selling Butter Braid® Pastries to raise funds for (fundraiser purpose). Please help me reach my goal of selling (insert number) pastries by visiting my online store: (online store link) and placing an order. Thank you for your support!”
On Social Media
When posting on different social media channels, don’t forget to include the essentials:
- An image or visual that represents your cause or your group
- A link to your online store or call to action
- Your group’s hashtag (if you have one)
- A brief message explaining your fundraiser and its purpose
“(Group Name)’s Butter Braid® Pastry fundraiser begins today! We are raising money for (purpose). Please help me reach my goal by purchasing some delicious pastries. Sale ends on (last day of fundraiser), so don’t wait to order! You can contact me with your order, or you can place an order online: (online store link). We will deliver your pastries when they arrive. Thank you in advance for your support!”
TIP: Include an eye-catching photo to receive more engagement!
“I’m selling Butter Braid® Pastries to raise funds for (fundraiser purpose)! Order online by clicking this link: (online store link). Thank you for helping me reach my goal!”
TIP: Insert your store link, if applicable, in the bio section of your Instagram page, so people can easily order online from your fundraiser.
“I’m selling Butter Braid® Pastries to raise funds for (insert purpose). Contact me today or click on the link in my bio to order online. Thanks for helping me reach my goal!”
Thank those who Supported You
After the fundraiser is over, don’t forget to say “thank you” to your supporters after they purchased or when delivering their order.
In Person
“Thank you for your purchase! You helped me get one step closer to reaching my goal and helped my group raise money for (fundraiser purpose)!”
By Email
“Dear (Supporter’s Name),
Thank you for supporting me and my group! You helped me reach my goal of (insert goal) which will go towards (fundraiser purpose). Thank you again for your purchase!
Sincerely,
(Name)”
