# Exposing yourself!

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/08/25/exposing-yourself/
- Published: 2002-08-25T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Ian Kerr of MIDAS Charity Appeals shares a tip on major gift fundraising.
“I nearly
always find exposing a prepared case for support to a sympathetic donor a thoroughly
worthwhile exercise. How an outsider views a proposition is often significantly 
different from those immersed in its preparation. Often new sales points emerge 
along with suggestions for donors.

“All this may seem a little obvious but it does involve a small degree of personal
risk – your writing could be shot down and the presentation carved up without being
reconstructed. In Big Gift training we offer private presentations to two or three
Big givers for a fixed 5-minute period. On the last two courses two delegates walked
out of their presentation early because they couldn’t take the questions! While 
this makes the case for such training I find this surprising because I have always
regarded it as standard sales practice.

“Almost invariably the larger or more sacrifical the donor the more they enjoy (
yes enjoy!) being asked to help in this way. If your’re unsure who to ask consider
trying:

## Advertisement

 * the first donor to another project for the same charity
 * the largest donor
 * any individual who gives a large annual total but in irregular lumps and without
   any fixed period (often a sign of exceptional interest)
 * a new trustee
 * a prospective donor during a project or head office visit

[Ian Kerr](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/mailto:ia*****@**************rg.uk) would
be interested in your ideas.

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