How do I ask a rich colleague for a charitable donation?

Send him an e-mail describing your passion with this group, and that you know you share this passion. Tell him that you would like to talk with him about it in person. People like to be asked in person to make a contribution, rather than solicited, which is what an e-mail does. Be aware he’s probably hit up for thousands of contributions, and that all wells have bottom. He may prefer to give large amounts to a small pool of charities, or, surprisingly, may choose not to give much at all. Having money does not always equate to financial generosity.

It sounds like he’s a better candidate for the board of directors than a donor.

In the meantime, are you putting a promotional signature statement on all your personal e-mails? “I’m running in the Great Human Race, and would like you to consider sponsoring me. Please take a moment to check out the organization at____”

@AlfredaPrufrock: Thanks for the great advice.

I was actually having a pretty detailed conversation with him last week about my passion for this group (before I was even planning to run in this race), so thankfully he’s already aware of my involvement with IAR, which means this isn’t really coming out of left field.

Is it really true that people prefer to be asked in person? I thought this would be like putting someone on the spot and that it would be much more comfortable to be asked over email because there is no pressure to respond immediately.

As for the Board of Directors comment, the Board of my group is made up of 8 people who have been especially involved in volunteering with our group over the past several years. This guy is not currently a volunteer with our group.

He is definitely a really nice guy, and throughout our conversations, he is very modest about his wealth. He has never mentioned anything in a bragging manner, and it is only through department chatter (and through googling his name) that I have knowledge of his career success and his riches.

I don’t want to make it seem like this is a gigantic deal that requires an in-person meeting and negotiation; I want him to feel like it is a simple request that he can either acknowledge or dismiss easily.

I get hit up for donations all the time (2–3 times a week) and the ones I give to most often are the ones who tell me what they’re doing without pressing for “money now”. I find I am more likely to give if they give me a good cause than “give because we know each other”

Why don’t you send that email to a few people? Copy a format similar to that of The American Heart Assn. fund raising pages. Make a page describing your efforts and state a goal. Mention that you know they share your passion and that you’re excited about participating in such a worthy endeavor and then outright ask them to support you. Good Luck!

Handwritten letter would be nicer. It’s also coming back as a new “trend” of tastefulness and thoughtfulness. It would be that more personal and serious in a warm heart-felt paper and ink letter. Be sincere and professional- tell him exactly the reasons you mentioned above that you’re asking him specifically.

@ubersiren: Hmm. I dunno. I totally agree about the tastefulness of handwritten letters, and I always do them as thank-you notes, but I don’t know about using one in this situation. Maybe if this guy was a higher up, I would.

What’s strange about this situation is that this guy is on my level, within our current work hierarchy. Yeah, before he came here, he did a whole hell of a lot more than I did, but in his current position, he is in the same boat as me within the department (he’s actually retired and just working here for the sheer joy of learning). When we converse, we speak to each other as if we’re on the exact same level. So I feel like the handwritten letter would be overkill for someone that is an equal of mine.

I would not single him out so much. I would let ALL your co-workers know what you’re doing and ask for their support. That way he won’t feel “on the spot,” and you might just be surprised that other people may be willing to support your cause as well.

Yeah, you would know better than I what would suit him based on your relationship. And I agree with the others who say it may be more comfortable for him, and beneficial to you to ask in a mass email. Good luck to you!

Gah. I don’t know. I feel like a mass email is less personal.

Haha, sorry I am disagreeing with everyone’s advice here. I feel so awkward about asking.

Make up a flyer and give it to everyone, making sure that you personally deliver it to this person. Just say that you know that it is a cause he also cares about and any support he can give would be appreciated.

If he is former microsoft rich he may have a foundation and just refer you to that. The idea of making a company wide appeal is a good one if the company allows it. Why don’t you ask your frind for advice on how to do it and he may get the idea of starting the appeal off and even spread the word.

Just remember not to take it personally if people choose not to support you. Especially in these hard times, there are way more deserving causes than people have money to give and how one elects to give is very personal.

There is a vast gulf between asking and pressuring. It never hurts to ask.

I’ve done fundraising for years—and if you do it in person, it is so much harder for the person to say no. [of course, having done this, I can say no now without feeling an ounce of guilt]. In any case, I don’t think it’s such a big deal. You talk to him informally? You can say, “you know I’m doing this fundraiser for blah blah?” Talk about the org a little bit, and see if he’s a supporter. Then tell him you’re doing the run, or whatever it is, and it is your goal to reach [huge amount here]. You’d really appreciate his support for your efforts, which go to help the organization. If he’s a big supporter, ask him for, like, half your goal. If not so much, than a quarter of your goal. Don’t worry about it. He’s used to this. Also, if he says no, don’t feel bad. Just go onto the next person. This is not a big deal for him, and while you care a lot, you also need to put it in perspective. You do as best you can.

I really like Daloon’s in-person, informal approach. I’ve had friends come up to me this way and I was much more likely to give. I also felt some pressure, but as Daloon said, he may be used to it. If you go this route, definitely give him an out (“no problem if you can’t or don’t want to – just thought you might want to be a part of this!”).

If you want to go the e-mail route, which I think is good, too, might I suggest typing out a draft for us here? Then we can give you more detailed feedback on content and context.

I hear that you are wrapping your brain around this over and over and over and over and over. You might consider putting some attention on what is driving you about this. How much is for the animals? How much is not wanting to fail or be seen as a loser for not raising as much money as your colleagues? Please do me a favor: take a deep breath, and be gentle with yourself.

Thanks for your advice, everyone! I was successful.

In fact, I have raised $770 so far!! Check it out! http://www.active.com/donate/ghr2009/clarkborden

The race is tomorrow morning, and I am so excited. I am pumped to run the 5K and thrilled that I have raised so much money to rescue so many more animals!

What did you end up doing about your rich colleague, and how did that go? I’m glad you’re happy!

@Trustinglife: I emailed him, and he asked to meet for lunch. I met him for lunch and talked for an hour about my animal rescue organization. He decided to donate.

I am funding for a non-profit org. i dont really like talking…- if i don’t have to -, who can i talk to now?

I disagree with @007ish. Your children were meant to grow up, move out and have a life of their own. Your marriage was meant to stay with you forever. Parents (even in blended families) should be united. Even if the kids express anger about it at times, there is security in knowing the relationship with the parents is strong. No kid wants the responsibility of being their mothers “primary relationship” especially at 19. They may balk at not being able to manipulate the parent any more, and the transition can be miserable, but kicking your kid out of the nest is as important a part of parenting as nurturing when they’re younger. How else are they going to learn to fly?

On your knees!

DON“T!! Rich people as you perceive them are asked 4 ways to Sunday for their support to all sorts of causes. They are already giving and giving big and will not want bleeding heart approaches to suck more money out of their wallets especially anon. e-mails. Contact him directly to be a guest speaker at a meeting for your cause…they LOVE attention and the more you give them the more they will give your cause.