Understanding Donors -- Or Not

How do you get a someone to give a donation to your organization?

I’m asked this question often. And as I tell those that ask me that, I think the question itself is problematic — if not inappropriate.

Why?

Because donors are thinking, breathing human beings. They (read: we) don’t much like being manipulated into doing something we wouldn’t otherwise do. And when we are manipulated, we generally resent it — and we will try hard to not put ourselves in that situation again.

Yes, you might say, but ...