Asking for help is tough, both in our personal and professional lives. You may hate asking for directions so much that you will just stay lost. Asking can feel embarrassing for some people, as it exposes that we have a need.
‘You don’t have because you don’t ask.’ This, of course, is taken from scripture, but it is very true in all situations. Your organization will never have what it needs to operate if people are not aware of what you need, and if no one is ever asked.
Letting our needs be known can, of course, happen in many ways: word of mouth, social media, emails, mail-outs, and our staff/volunteers. However, this is one skill that will help your organization go farther. It is the ‘Skill of Asking.’
I remember sitting in a meeting just a few years ago, where we were trying to put funding together with multiple levels of government and departments. We had an amount we needed to be matched. There was discussion on smaller amounts being given. At one point, I had to clearly state what we needed. We needed six million dollars.
Later, it was confirmed that the money was going to be given for the project, which is amazing. The truth is if no one clearly asked for that amount, it may never have been given. Someone needs to ask.
This, in no way, means if you just ask people for donations, support, or volunteers, that you will get it. That is why asking is a skill that needs to be developed. Here are just a few pieces of what asking means:
1 – The willingness to be upfront with people about your needs.
2 – You have to be ready to back up your request with data and some proof you can put this help to good use and create a result.
3 – You have to learn when is the right time, place, and person to ask.
4 – You have to build relationships and trust.
5 – You have to be okay hearing ‘No’ and move on.
When I see organizations that are doing well long-term, there is usually someone in the organization who has learned to ASK.
If you would like to explore developing a funding strategy, including how to ASK, why not reach out to the funding coach?
www.thefundingcoach.ca