The American College has made a series of five videos that walk you through the cultivation and asking of a donor prospect. They are called “Donor Dialogues: The Art of the Ask” and they are AWESOME! Really, really!

Don’t even let me hear you think it: FIVE videos, Jen? I’m not sitting through FIVE YouTube videos. But I bet that once you see the first one you’ll be hooked. We’re talking some great discussion *and* role-play. Yes, you read that correctly: ROLE PLAY. And you don’t even have to get up in front of an audience. Told you it was good.

And of course video #3 talks about the importance of prospect research as you get closer to asking for a major gift. Granted he calls it “legal stalking” which has an awful connotation, but I’m going to let that slide because overall the series is very professionally produced, pleasant to watch, and grossly informative (touché!).