Suggested Ask Amount Calculator

Why asking for more works better than asking for the same

A common and well-tested fundraising practice is asking a returning donor for somewhat more than their previous gift, rather than simply requesting the same amount again - donors ready to increase their giving often will if specifically invited, but rarely volunteer a larger gift entirely on their own.

Worked example

For a donor whose last gift was $200, using a 20% suggested increase:

Suggested Ask = 200 x 1.20 = 240

Frequently asked questions

What increase percentage is typical? Many organizations use a 10-25% increase as a starting suggestion, adjusting up or down based on the specific donor's giving history, relationship strength, and known capacity to give.

Should every donor get the same increase percentage? No - this calculator provides a starting reference point, not a rigid rule. Major gift officers typically customize the specific ask for each donor based on personal knowledge of that donor's circumstances and giving capacity.