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Some of you have asked just to break things down into simple steps. Well this is the Solomon page for you! Below you will find a sample timeline that really explains each step for each season. Below that we have outlined what makes a good ask to make it as easy as possible for you! Any questions? Email Jenni.saniuk@reliant.org

Sample Timeline

September - OctoberThrough prayer, ask the Lord to determine your need and what you will ask for. Usually appeals for one-time gifts (vs monthly support, gifts in kind or service projects) are most effective this time of year. (Sample asks are displayed below.) Begin praying over your donors by name. 
October - Early November

Review your data from the past 3 years. Look for: 

  1. Donors who usually have given by this time of year but haven't.  
  2. Reactive Givers: Those who don't give on a regular basis because they like to give more infrequently and only when asked. These donors tend to like to be the hero and give a larger lump sum toward a specific need. End-of-year appeals (vs monthly giving) tend to minister to this type of giver.
  3. Lapsed donors (non-current), donors who have stopped their regular recurring giving, and those who may be at risk of leaving your team. While monthly or quarterly giving might not fit with this donor's current situation, sometimes a special gift does. 
  4. Anyone who has given a one-time gift in the past 3 years. 
Early - Mid NovemberID The Top 20. Through prayer, ask the Lord to help you make a list of the top 20 people you should contact one-on-one with your ask (either face to face or voice to voice). Typically, it's best if this group is made up of different people than those you usually contact with special asks; your regular end-of-year givers being the exception. *However, if anyone falls into all 4 categories above, they should probably be on your Top 20 list. *Who not to ask: Those you've asked for a special gift or increase in regular giving in the past 3-6 months (your discretion). 
Mid-NovemberSend a paper Thanksgiving card to your Top 20* along with a short, handwritten note about why you’re thankful for them. This should be a meaningful message of gratitude. The goal is to remind donors how valuable they are to you and the impact they are helping to make in the Kingdom. Bonus points for including your picture on or in this card! Please consider hand-addressing the envelope. A simple way to mail a card to your Top 20 is to pick up a pack of cards at the store and print 20 photos (of you or you + the people you minister to) at the photo center. Keep it simple so you're more likely to do it. If you have the time, you can send to more than just your Top 20, but make sure your first priority is reaching your Top 20. 
First week of DecemberFollow up the Thanksgiving card with an email containing your end-of-year needs info. Encourage your donor to pray about how the Lord may have them respond to this need. Then let them know you'll be calling in a few days. Consider batching the emails in groups so you're not trying to make follow-up calls to 20 people all on the same day. Manageability is key.
A few days laterFollow up your email with a phone call to make the ask. Remember, your most effective asks are going to be face-to-face (even over a video call). If that can't happen, then the second best is voice-to-voice. An ask in a mass email that's not followed up with a one-on-one ask is the least effective. 

Is this schedule not your flavor? Want to do something different? Go for it!  Just be sure you're including best practices into your ask.


Crafting the Ask

  1. Look back and celebrate what God has done this past year.  
    Lift people’s eyes to what the Lord has done. Celebrate His accomplishments. This has been a tough year, but that has not stopped God from moving in people’s lives. Ask others on your team about what they have seen God do. You can use each other’s stories. Anything God is doing in the ministry you are a part of is okay for you to write about.

  2. What you are trusting God to do in the coming year?  
    Take time to dream and ask God what He wants to do in your ministry in 2022. Invite the Lord to show you what He wants to do through your team. Your partners will be encouraged as they read what you are trusting God to do next year.

  3. Invite people to give to the vision of what you are trusting the Lord to do in the coming year.  
    Ask people to give to your vision, not to your need. Invite people to be a part of what God is doing. THAT is exciting. See the sample letter  for a great example of how to ask. Be specific. Challenging people to give a specific amount is helpful for them.

  4. Keep it concise but clear
    Be sure that your celebration, vision, and ask are all on one page or able to fit on one screen. Most people take in things within 30 seconds, and may not read a 2 page letter, no matter how compelling it may be!

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