Are You Making the Second Ask?

Most fundraisers regularly practice the “first ask,” an ask for money. But the second ask is just as important. The second ask is an ask for referrals. It’s a conversation you have with a donor where you ask her if she would be willing to introduce you to some of her friends, co-workers, business partners or social network so they can hear about your nonprofit. It is this second ask that allows you to leverage your supporters’ contact lists and build a true fundraising network for your organization.