Ep. 10 How To Ask Major Donors For The Right Amount Without Guessing with Larry Raff

Asking a donor for the wrong amount can leave fundraisers with a lingering sense of regret. Ask for too much, and the conversation may feel awkward or unrealistic. Ask for too little, and nonprofits risk leaving significant resources on the table or worse, signaling that their ambitions are smaller than their mission demands. In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with veteran fundraising strategist Larry Raff to explore one of the most persistent challenges in philanthropy: determining the right amount to ask a major donor for a transformational gift.Larry shares the thinking behind the Abacus Major Donor Ask Calculator, a tool designed to turn donor research into confident, data-informed gift requests. Drawing on more than four decades of advancement experience, Larry explains why traditional wealth screening tools often fall short, how personal bias influences fundraising decisions, and why many organizations unknowingly undersell their biggest opportunities. The conversation also highlights how more accurate ask amounts can strengthen donor relationships, improve campaign planning, and help nonprofits avoid the costly mistakes of guesswork. If you want to approach major gift conversations with greater confidence and precision, this episode offers a fascinating look at the science behind the art of fundraising.Contact Rick Peck:Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.comEmail: [email protected] A call: Rick Peck's CalendarSign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving NewsletterLinkedIn: Richard PeckContact Larry Raff:Website: Donor Abacus | Make Every Ask Count