Patton’s Picks | Asking

Leadership Resources for the Philanthropic Sector

Gerald Panas’s classic text remains one of the most influential guides on the art of fundraising. It strips away complexity and reminds us that asking is more about relationships and courage than clever words. Recommended by Dan Johnson in Episode #333, it’s a book that every fundraiser should read and reread.

"You don’t get what you don’t ask for."

Key reminders:

• The best asks are simple and direct

• Donors give because of passion and trust

• A “no” today often leads to a yes tomorrow

Dr. Patton McDowell, CFRE, MBA, is the creator of the innovative PMA Mastermind Leadership Program, a unique offering designed to elevate nonprofit leaders through comprehensive training and peer collaboration. He is also the author of the best-selling book, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and host of the weekly podcast with the same name, available here. Since founding PMA Nonprofit Leadership in 2009, Patton has strategically guided over 300 nonprofit organizations to achieve their fullest potential. A Certified Fundraising Executive and Master Trainer for AFP Global, he serves as Executive in Residence at Cornell University's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and as Director of the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership.

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