Ep. 100 | Is Your Fundraising Ask Weak? This Mistake Keeps People From Supporting Your Ministry
“If you feel led.”
“Anything helps.”
“Give whatever God puts on your heart.”
If you’ve ever said those phrases while asking for support, you’re in good company. They’ve become almost part of ministry culture.
But there’s a problem.
Those statements sound humble, yet they’re so open-ended that they often leave people wondering what they’re actually supposed to do.
Instead of helping someone take a step, they leave them standing still.
Clarity moves people forward.
First—We’re Celebrating 100 Episodes!
Before we jump in, I have to say thank you.
I honestly can’t believe we’ve reached 100 episodes.
I’m naturally pretty introverted, so recording this many episodes feels incredible. The reason this podcast keeps going is because you keep coming back to listen, learn, and grow in fundraising.
To celebrate, I’m giving away three free Fundraising Message Coaching sessions.
If you’ve struggled to explain your ministry, feel awkward asking for support, or feel like your fundraising has plateaued, this is for you.
During a one-hour Zoom coaching session we’ll work through your fundraising communication together.
Bring one or two pieces of donor communication—a newsletter, website, presentation, support letter, or another message—and we’ll improve it together so your fundraising becomes clearer and more effective.
You can enter at:
The giveaway is open for two weeks.
Now let’s jump into today’s topic.
1. Ask for a Specific Amount
The biggest mistake I hear is ministry leaders making an invitation without giving any direction.
Instead of saying:
“Support us if you feel led.”
Try asking for an actual amount.
That doesn’t mean every conversation uses the same number.
A business owner may receive a different invitation than a church.
A longtime supporter may receive a different ask than someone you’ve just met.
The important part is that every ask is specific.
When you know you’re meeting with someone, spend time researching them if appropriate. If you’re speaking with a church, learn about its size, location, and congregation.
Then pray.
Ask God for the amount He wants you to ask for.
Sometimes that number feels uncomfortable.
Sometimes it feels much larger than you expected.
If you’ve prayed and sensed a clear number, have the courage to ask for it.
You’re giving someone clarity, not manipulating them.
2. Specific Asks Remove Decision Fatigue
I’ve experienced this myself as a donor.
When someone says:
“Give whatever you feel led.”
My mind immediately starts asking questions.
How much do other people give?
What’s expected?
Will my gift even matter?
Is my amount too small?
What’s enough?
Instead of making one decision, now I’m trying to answer five different questions.
That’s decision fatigue.
A specific request removes nearly all of that friction.
If someone asks me:
“Would you consider giving $100 a month?”
My brain immediately knows how to respond.
Yes.
No.
Not right now.
It’s simple.
Some ministry leaders worry they’ll lose gifts because someone can’t give the amount requested.
The reality is that people who genuinely want to support often give more than you ask.
Generous people don’t struggle to increase their gift.
What hurts fundraising far more is leaving everyone wondering what they should do.
3. A Specific Amount Shows What Makes a Difference
One question every donor asks—whether they realize it or not—is:
Will my gift actually matter?
When you attach a dollar amount to an outcome, you answer that question.
For example:
$50 provides school supplies for one child.
$200 feeds a family for two months.
$500 helps translate curriculum for a village.
Now donors aren’t just looking at a number.
They’re picturing an impact.
That changes everything.
Even if you don’t have exact project costs, asking for a specific amount still communicates something important:
“This amount will genuinely help.”
That confidence makes it much easier for someone to move from “maybe” to “yes.”
Clarity Builds Confidence
Notice what all three of these ideas have in common.
Clarity.
You’re giving people:
a clear amount
a simple decision
a clear picture of the impact
That’s a much better experience than handing them another decision to figure out on their own.
The next time you have a fundraising conversation, try asking for a specific amount.
Just test it.
Watch how much more naturally the conversation moves forward.
You may be surprised how much easier it becomes for someone to give you an answer.
Celebrate Episode 100 With Me
Don’t forget—I’m giving away three free Fundraising Message Coaching sessions.
If you want help clarifying your ministry message and making your fundraising communication more effective, I’d love to work with you.
The giveaway is open for two weeks.
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