So we're making progress. The good news is you found a donor, you asked for a specific amount to pay for something very specific. And your donor said, Yes, that's great, wonderful. Let's celebrate. Let's bump the cork on the champagne bottles, right? Wrong.

You haven't collected yet. Because there's something very important we forgot to do. We forgot to pin that exactly when that person is going to pay the money. Because here's the thing, if you call me and ask for 500 bucks for the United Way, and I say yes. And it's for a good cause. And I'm a trustworthy person.

And I say yes to you, and you hang up. And that's at four o'clock in the afternoon. Well, what happens at eight o'clock this evening, when my refrigerator goes out. And tomorrow after I consult with my spouse, I realized, well, we got to buy a new refrigerator and it's gonna cost about 500 bucks. Well, how enthusiastic Am I going to be To send you a check for 500 bucks when now I have an unexpected need for 500 bucks. So what happens to a lot of people sometimes is they think Well, yeah, I'm still going to be good on my promise.

I didn't say when, let me just wait till next month, things are going to be easier on the pocketbook. And I'll send that cheque to the United Way next month for 500 bucks. That's human nature. And if you didn't pin the person down on a particular timeframe for sending the money, then you might not ever see that money. Remember, it's not how much money is committed to you. It's not how much it's pledged.

It's how much money is actually in your hands or in your bank account. Please don't ever forget that. So the second and I mean, the second. Someone is committed to giving you set contribution, that's when you politely need to Ask or tell them when you need it. Say, thanks so much. Today's Tuesday, we really got to make that purchase for yard signs.

Thursday. Can you pay by credit card now? Can you send over a scan of your check, which is a very easy, simple way of paying these days if you're not doing that yet, someone can take a picture of their check and send it to you. Can you wire transfer it over? Can you FedEx the check? Now obviously use your judgment if you're getting a check for $25 from someone you don't want to waste another $25 on a FedEx charge.

But if they're talking about giving a sizable contribution 1000 5000 or more, spending 2025 bucks on overnight charges is well worth it. Here's the key you have to ask this person for the money by a specific time. Yeah, my Two months, they may say, it's going to have to be in January as I do my estate planning, that will be the time that could be 10 months off. That's okay. Make careful records and just let the person know. Okay, I'm making a note here and I will follow up with you.

January 3, as we discuss and we can figure out how to handle this. You don't want to sound pushy. And again, you're not doing this because you're greedy. This isn't money going into your own pocket. And I'm not giving you tips on how to raise money for your business, your startup. This is fundraising for nonprofits, charities, schools, and political campaigns.

So you're doing this because you're trying to help the organization with its mission. So no one can accuse you of doing anything unethical or slimy, simply by wanting to know when the money will come in. So that is your homework assignment, come up with this same donor. You're about approaching your prospective donor. You've got the messaging down. You know what you're going to ask them for what you want them to purchase the amount.

Now, what is the actual timeframe and by the way, there's no better timeframe for giving than today. Right now if you can take the credit card, you can have them pay by PayPal. If you can have them send the check today, then there's absolutely no risk.