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How to Respectfully Turn Down a Donation Request
It can be very difficult learning how to respectfully turn down a donation or how to politely decline requests for a sponsorship request or how to very politely decline any donation requests or for donation requests or very politely declining to contact someone for a donation request.
As a professional, you might get such requests from clients from time to time for charitable donations or, contributions, sponsorship or financial support for a future charity fundraising event or charity event too.
“We’re thinking about having a charity auction fundraiser event. Would you like to participate or donate an item?” or “I’d love for you to support my Kickstarter and share with your fans!”
Sometimes how to politely decline a sponsorship request, for example if the request is simply for a blog post to bring more attention to a need, small company, organization, or fundraising event, or campaign.
This post is not meant to throw cold water on supporting charitable organizations, charities and non-profits or discourage you from giving or being generous, contribute or donate money to a very good and worthy cause here.
However, no one, company policy or corporate giving organization can do it all when it comes to requests for help and charitable donations, no matter how worthy the charitable or monetary donation being requests is.
Your time, your values and your own position and finances can help you gauge which opportunities to decline, take, to decline and which to politely and how to politely decline a sponsorship request.
Having a plan for your giving will help you feel confident and convicted whether you say yes or no to monetary donation.
But when you how to to politely declining to decline a client a sponsorship request or to politely declining to attend a charity event, how do you do it without coming off as uncaring or rude?
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you craft your response on How to Respectfully Turn Down a Donation Request:
Acknowledge and Appreciate
Chances are, this person involved in charity event has been working hard so many others can donate, to raise money and awareness and donate funds for the charitable organizations they support.
You can often receive these requests from neighbors and small business clients or acquaintances face to face or via phone calls and you may receive written requests via email, letter or mail, for example.
Your response, empathy, sincerity and delivery will leave a lasting impression on the organization and individual receiving it.
Rejection Letters
It’s important to create and use an excellent rejection letter that preserves your relationship with the company or person requesting financial support (provided you value the relationship).
Remember that the purpose of the letter is not to be negative or discourage.
Recognize their efforts in your response.
- “I think it’s great that you’re bringing this issue to the attention of the public and applaud your efforts.”
- “The loss of their home in a fire is really tragic, and it’s wonderful that the Parkers have such a caring friend as you!”
- “I’ve been watching your campaign with great admiration for some time.”
- “This is truly a worthy cause and I admire your initiative.”
- “Battling cancer has got to be one of the toughest things someone can face, and my heart goes out to your friend.”
Explain your donation request denial, but briefly
It’s certainly not required, but still nice to briefly say why you’re not able to say yes.
- “Right now I’m focusing my efforts on ___ (insert issue or cause here).”
- “I’m unable to commit my time and financial resources right now, but will let you know if that changes in the future.”
- “We have reached our corporate giving limit for the fiscal year.”
- “My personal or business situation at this time precludes me from contributing right now.”
Alternatives to Saying “No” to a Fund-Raiser Sponsorship Request
Some of us have a natural tendency to say to answer “Yes” when asked for money or professional help.
One way to is to say “Yes But”.
You may have other valuable financial resources that you can offer your client instead of giving them cash like for example a case of Girl Scout Cookies, Gift Certificates or even Products your small business, or small company sells.
Close on a Positive Note
Use encouraging phrases to close out your reply.
- “I wish you best wishes with your campaign!”
- “I will pass along your request to others in my blogging group.”
- “I’ll be sure to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.”
- “Thanks for thinking of me, and for considering my blog as a potential sponsor for your event.”
- “Although I am not able to contribute at this time, please know that I truly admire the work you’re doing.”
- And if you really want to participate at some time in the future “Stay in touch with us next year as we might be in a better position to support you”.
Note: If you feel guilty after saying “no” over and over again next year, this might be a tip-off to you that charity giving is not a priority for you right now next fiscal year.
That’s something you can change.
As a final thought; this doesn’t mean say “yes” to everything from now on.
To conclude the letter. it does mean looking for causes that are important to you to contribute donate funds to donate to and helping out where you can contribute.
Do you have ideas to contribute or share about How to Respectfully Turn Down a Donation Request gracefully?
If you found this article useful then you may like these related articles valuable; Bloggers Must Learn to Say No, Don’t Forget to Say Thank You
and It’s OK to Say No to Your Kids.
Anne is the creator of the family-oriented, Zephyr Hill Blog. A busy homeschooling mother of seven, Anne enjoys cloth diapering, cooking and trying to convince her husband to add yet another animal to the farm.
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