Use Data to Set the Perfect Ask Amounts
Our team used to spend weeks setting custom ask amounts for every fundraising appeal. We built AskGenius so we could do it in minutes.
How it Works
Connect Your Data
Connect your donor data securely to AskGenius.
Select Your Strategy
Aggressive or conservative? You choose. Apply one of our proven strategies that best fits your donor audience.
See available strategies >
Finalize Your Ask Amounts
You know your donors best. Review the suggested ask amounts and easily make adjustments.
View review dashboard >
Send to the Printer
Export your data to Excel. Your file is ready for your direct mail vendor, or you can print your appeal in-house.
STEP ONE
Seamlessly Connect Your Donor Data
Upload an Excel file from your favorite donor database or connect AskGenius directly with Virtuous or Raiser’s Edge NXT.
The more data you provide AskGenius, the better your ask amounts will be. From annual appeals and capital campaign gifts to gala donations and golf outings, AskGenius uses all of your data to make sure we invite every donor to participate at just the right level.
STEP TWO
Select Your Fundraising Strategy
This is your chance to choose a fundraising strategy that fits your organization. Eager to increase gifts from mid-level donors? Want to upgrade new donors from last year? Or just looking for an across-the-board increase in giving? We’ve got an algorithm for that.
We’ve spent years researching and testing to take the guesswork out of setting amounts. Our algorithms are proven to increase generosity by inviting each donor to participate at the appropriate level – not too high, and not too low.
Plus, the longer you work with us the smarter our algorithms become – allowing you to raise even more money, year after year.
Proven reliable
The Secret Sauce
A moderate increase for donors at all levels based on a combination of past giving and wealth indicators. This is the strategy that has already raised tens of millions of dollars for nonprofit clients across the country.
A modest approach
Nice and Easy
A conservative strategy that asks donors to renew their previous gift, with limited increases based on giving history and wealth indicators.
Let’s go for it
Swing for the Fences
Go big or go home with this strategy that sets a baseline increase of 10-30% from prior gifts, with additional bumps based on past giving and wealth indicators.
Inspire their next gift
New Donor Upgrade
A clever take on our “Secret Sauce” strategy that aims to upgrade your newest donors before they establish a routine gift amount.
For giving circles
Join the Club
Are you promoting giving circles or clubs? Use this formula to highlight specific gift amounts and encourage donors below each level to upgrade their gift.
Find new donors
I Don’t Believe We’ve Met
Sometimes the only thing you have to go on is an address. Use this formula to set ask amounts based on the relative affluence of a donor’s zip code. This strategy is coming soon and not currently available.
STEP THREE
Finalize Your Ask Amounts
You’ve applied one of our proven strategies to set ask amounts your entire list in a matter of minutes. Now, because nobody knows your donors better than you, we make it easy for you to adjust the ask amounts individually, or as a group.
Use our intuitive dashboard to view key segments of your donor audience and search for individual donors to adjust ask amounts up or down.
We even flag prospects that we think are worthy of extra attention, based on their giving capacity and historical support.
Wondering how we arrived at an ask amount for a certain donor? With just one click you can see exactly how and why we set our ask amount for every donor on your list.
Click image to enlarge
STEP FOUR
Export your file for printing
You’ve applied your strategy, reviewed ask amounts, and made your tweaks. Now it’s time to export your data to an Excel file so you can either print your letters in-house or send everything off to your direct mail vendor.
Your donor data and personalized ask strings are packaged neat and tidy with everything you need to run a world-class appeal.
Here’s what people are saying about AskGenius
“AskGenius was simple to use. It does all of the math for you, and even flags prospects that need extra attention.”
– Greg Fisher
Diocese of Grand Island
“AskGenius helped us boost our direct mail results by more than $1 million in the first year alone.”
– Kelly Halaszyn
Diocese of Dallas
“Since adopting AskGenius, donations are up 36% from last year.”
– Amy Schauer
Stonehill Communities
Start using AskGenius today
Try it now for free. No credit card needed.