Here’s what we’ve learned about the heart behind giving:

•  People want to belong: They don’t just want to donate, they want to be part of something meaningful. Let them see that their support makes them part of your journey, your impact, your community.
•  People feel first, think second: Yes, stats matter, but stories move hearts. Real names. Real faces. Real transformation. That’s what people connect to.
•  People respond to kindness: When you give before you ask, when you say thank you, when you share updates, when you recognize their effort, they feel seen and seen people show up again.
•  People are moved by others: When they see that others have given- friends, peers, even strangers, it builds trust. It says: “This is something worth being part of.”
•  People act when it matters now: A clear, timely call, “we need your help today”, can turn interest into action. Don’t be afraid to create urgency, especially when it’s real.
•  People give when it aligns with who they are: Make it clear that by supporting your work, they’re living out their values. They’re standing for what they believe in, through you.

At the core of every donation is a human being with a story of their own. Our job isn’t to pressure them, it’s to remind them that their story and ours can meet in something that matters.

So when you ask for support, ask with heart. Ask with purpose. Ask like you’re inviting someone into something beautiful. Because you are!