“Could you make a gift of JUST $25?”

This is yet another phrase you should never use in fundraising. 🙊

You’re probably adding the word “just” to your Ask in an attempt to take the pressure off the conversation (and yourself!), but you may be unintentionally offending the community member.

And the “Never Comment on Cost” Principle is at play here– I write about this A LOT and it’s important: No matter how well you know someone, or what the notes in the CRM says, or what the donor research data recommends:

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS PERSON RELATES TO MONEY.

For all you know, this person is inspired by the conversation you’re having and they’re doing some MAJOR MENTAL MATH :

Maybe even re-working their April budget in order to accommodate a $25 gift to your organization; a contribution they WANT to make.

Let’s shout it from the rooftops:

ALL GIFTS should be treated with the same level of respect and gratitude (whether they are $50 or $5M).

Are there any phrases YOU’VE caught yourself using in an attempt to take the pressure off of a fundraising conversation (& yourself!)?