Please, just don’t.

Once upon a time, I interviewed a candidate for a donor relations position. About halfway through our meeting, I knew there was no way I was going to endorse them. But this is a cautionary tale for fundraisers, not job-seekers.


The candidate brought sample donor communications they had conceived, written, and produced.

They showed impact.

They used photos and first-person stories.

They even had a set of notecards featuring drawings by kids the nonprofit served.

And there was one more thing.

But it wasn’t good.

Can you guess?

It was an ask for more money.

I was stunned. I thought it went without saying that you never ask for more in a communication meant to express gratitude.

I asked a few questions. I gave the benefit of the doubt. But they doubled down.

And they didn’t get the job.

The moral of this story? When thanking donors, when demonstrating the impact of their gifts… DO NOT ask for more money.