After the Ask--Three Things They Could Say

The first step, Fredricks said, is laying out a three-part test to any response that you, as a fundraiser, might encounter. The three parts are:

1) What are the issues for the person being asked (why can't they decide now)?

2) What are your response options?

3) What are your next steps? Some combination of strategies: calls/meetings/mailings/e-mails from a variety of people, e.g., CEO, fundraiser, beneficiary or other donors.