The Most Important 10 Seconds in a Donor Conversation

After almost 3 decades of asking for money, and teaching others how, on 6 continents around the world, Tony Myers and his friend and colleague Sue McCoy discovered something about asking that nobody talks about. Despite the fact that many charity CEOs, executive directors, high-profile volunteers and even seasoned fundraisers are sometimes scared to ask for money, Tony and Sue discovered that asking for money doesn’t seem to be the problem.

Tony and Sue will tell you that asking for money is actually easy, once you get to it.

So, then what’s the problem?

Actually, the problem is “getting to it”. People asking are having trouble bridging the gap between easy cultivation to tough, down-to-earth solicitation. People asking are having trouble making the transition from conversation to the ask. Once the transition if made, the ask is easy.

So how do we make this transition. How do we overcome the fear and do it anyway? Tony and Sue will talk to you about the most important 10 seconds in a donor conversation, and you will:

Discover 5 proven transition techniques that move from conversation to the ask
Learn about the 3 most common asking blockers we all encounter
Consider how we can either avoid or overcome those asking blockers, and
Find out how to have more fun in tough situations as we explore win/win solutions

Join Tony Myers and Sue McCoy for an interactive and engaging session filled with real examples that will bring to life many ways you too can confidently and successfully, finesse your way through the most important 10 seconds in a donor conversation.

CFRE Credits: 1.5

About the Presenters

Tony Myers, CFRE, Ph.D., M.A., LL.B. , Principal and Senior Fundraising Counsel, Myers & Associates, Edmonton / Calgary, Canada

Tony is a passionate enthusiast, international fundraising consultant, strategist, author, speaker and executive coach who loves to raise money and teach others how.

His lifetime of experience in raising money and working with organizations in transition have shaped his expertise as a leader and change-maker. His skills and experience in strategic planning, board governance and development, major gift fundraising and NGO organizational assessment have placed him in demand as a speaker and consultant around the world.

Ultimately, his work, speaking and training on six continents and his spirited presentations will get you thinking, change your perspective and give you the confidence to pursue life and philanthropic work in a world of abundance. in transition have shaped his expertise as a leader and change-maker. His skills and experience in strategic planning, board governance and development, major gift fundraising and NGO organizational assessment have placed him in demand as a speaker and consultant around the world.

Sue McCoy, Director of Major Gifts, Stollery Children's Hospital

Sue McCoy is currently employed as Director of Major Gifts with the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation. She oversees a team of highly skilled fundraisers securing over $9 million a year in donations. Prior to the Stollery, Sue worked as a Senior Development Officer in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta for 5 years. Before this, Sue worked at KCI as a fundraising consultant. During her 5 years with KCI, Sue worked on a variety of capital campaign projects including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the John McGivney Children's Centre in Windsor, Ontario, the Winnipeg Humane Society and the Manzakowski Heart Institute. Sue has worked as a development professional for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edmonton, the Mennonite Centre, the United Nations, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and the National Crime Prevention Council. Sue is very active as a volunteer in the community as a current Board member on the AFP Canada Foundation, current President of the Glenora Community League and Past President with the Edmonton AFP Chapter. Sue holds an M.A. in Sociology from Carleton University in Ottawa, a diploma in Fundraising Management from MacEwan University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive.