The fundamentals of fundraising are the building blocks of nonprofit success. In Episode 35, Lindsay talks with the team from We Are For Good about the five essential elements of making the ask. From refining your message to shifting your mindset, this episode offers practical tools for fundraisers at every level.

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How to get over the solicitation phobia

Let’s Talk About “The Ask”

To all my fellow fundraisers: I see you. That moment when you sit down for “The Ask” can feel overwhelming—your palms sweat, your brain spins, and your confidence wavers. Sound familiar?

If you find yourself constantly wondering what to say or what to bring, I’ve got you covered. In this episode, I’m sharing five practical steps to set you up for success—plus, the four best ways to handle responses after the ask.

Here’s my biggest recommendation: center the relationship, not the money. You’re not there to convince someone. You’re there to invite them to invest in something meaningful. Think of it as a conversation, not a transaction.

A Conversation Rooted in Passion and Gratitude

In today’s episode of Creating Community for Good, I’m thrilled to share a special conversation with my friends Jonathan McCoy and Becky Endicott from the We Are For Good Podcast. This time, they interviewed me—and we had a powerful exchange about fundraising, community, and the role of gratitude in philanthropy.

This episode is both personal and tactical. I walk through my 5-step guide to successful solicitations, including how to prepare your materials, manage body language, and use specific language to invite a gift. We also cover how to navigate each of the four potential responses you might receive after making the ask.

You’ll also hear more about my own journey—where my passion for philanthropy began, how I built my career, and what I recommend for long-term success in this field.

Key Takeaways: 

(04:57) – A little bit about me and how growing up in a culture of serving and contributing influenced my career choices, and led me to find my passion and life purpose. 

(12:22) – Control what you can control: why you should always pay attention to how you show up for your donors, and the importance of thoughtful preparation.

(18:03) – Manage the clock: when is the right time to make the ask? Upfront or at the end? 

(21:11) – The power of a pause: How to appropriately ask for a major gift and wrap it up with the perfect invitation.

(28:18) – The four ways a donor might respond to a solicitation and how you can handle your responses. 

(31:31) – The secret sauce to closing a meeting: always have a CTA (call to action).

(32:54) – The power of gratitude and kindness and how they have a long-term impact on our communities.

Fundamental Five: 

1. How to show up so that you’re your best self and you ensure a receptive audience.
2. What you need to know and what you need to bring to be prepared for success.
3. How to manage the clock and when to make the ask.
4. What to say, a word for word.
5. How to close the meeting.

Four Different Answers from a Donor and How to Respond

1. “Yes” – you have your pledge form there and ready!
2. “Not Right Now, but Maybe Later” – document this. Explore when you could follow up with the donor.
3. “Yes, but not That Much” – that is OK. This is not about impacting your livelihood, it is about moving the needle on an endeavor. Explore what is meaningful and important to them. Give them the power; every gift matters.
4. “No” – this is rare. Ask for feedback and explore the WHY behind the no.

Rooted in Purpose from the Start

From a young age, I was passionate about animals and contributing to the greater good. At age 8, I made my first personally meaningful philanthropic donation—$48.50 to the World Wildlife Fund—so I could help save endangered species and receive a binder full of animal facts and photos from around the world. I earned every dollar by going door to door in my neighborhood, offering yard work and chores to anyone who’d let me help.

I credit my family for instilling a deep sense of compassion and service. We were always involved in neighborhood cleanups and community volunteer work. My older sister, Elise, and I were expected to be active participants from the very beginning—and we still are today.

A Career That Lights Up Communities

When exploring career paths, I knew I wanted a profession where I could both develop professionally and make a meaningful impact. I considered foreign policy, driven by a love of travel and cultural exchange, but it didn’t ignite my passion.

Instead, I found myself in marketing communications—until I stumbled upon a field I hadn’t heard of: fundraising consulting. It felt like home. For the past 12 years, this niche has been my calling.

What I love most is the ability to light up a community—teaching ways to deepen relationships, improve communication, and raise significant funds to support extraordinary endeavors.

From CCS Fundraising to Launching My Own Firm

My career launched with both feet in, traveling the country as a capital campaign director for CCS Fundraising. I’m forever grateful for the wisdom imparted by my mentor and manager, Rick Happy, and many others at CCS.

Over nearly a decade, I helped lead teams that collectively raised over $1 billion. That incredible journey ultimately inspired me to launch my own firm: Lindsay Simonds Consulting.

Today, I bring deep experience, insight, and customized strategies to nonprofit organizations across the country—offering support in capital campaign management, leadership coaching, strategic planning, board training, and so much more.

I get to be creative, collaborative, and fully engaged with my clients—and I love every minute of it.

I am taking new clients now! Ping me at [email protected] (or on LinkedIn) for more information! 

Connect with Lindsay

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Lindsay Simonds Consulting
Follow the Creating Community for Good Podcast on Instagram
Connect with Jon
Connect with Becky

Episode Resources

Making the Ask | The Five Fundamentals of Fundraising
We Are For Good Podcast
World Wildlife Fund
Rick Happy | Philanthropy During a Time of Crisis
Brad Black | Do Good by Doing Good Business
Your body language may shape who you are | Amy Cuddy