You're passionate about philanthropy. How do you inspire potential donors to support a new initiative?

I'd focus on discovering what is important to my donor. In the course of engagement, I may discover that the donor feels strongly about a certain cause - for example cancer research - possibly due to a loved one or friend having gone through cancer. This can be a good starting point to discuss the donor's inclination to do something about it. However, I would not try to sway donors away from their convictions to support a project that they do not believe in.

I find that the best way to engage a donor in a new initiative is to ask them for help in collective problem-solving. Most times, new initiatives are not “fully baked”. Typically, a problem or need has been identified, but all parties relevant to working to collectively address the issue still needs to occur. Donors are well connected and can become your strongest champions if you engage them in becoming an essential part of the solution.

Shame those who did not help ?? Make a wall of shame to list the profits of those that didn't help, and force them to be philanthropic??????

Building relationships with individuals to discover their interests is priority. Then, when new opportunities come that need funding, support, investment etc, you know who to invite to that conversation.

Inspiring prospective donors to support a new initiative begins with understanding their passions. I start by asking thoughtful questions to discover what matters most to them—whether it’s family, education, a cultural or religious group, social issues, politics, the environment, or finding a cure for cancer. I also ask about their most recent donation and what inspired them to give. Once I understand their interests, I share a concise, impactful story that connects the new initiative to their values. It's equally important that the prospect feels my passion for the initiative. Doing research beforehand helps ensure I can emphasize how the initiative aligns with their passions, making the conversation more meaningful and relevant.