Tips

Do you want to know how to be one of the top agents who reach all of their lapsed donors and even add a new donor or two? Here are a few tips from the top Obie class agents:

Make your own gift first. It is much easier to ask your classmates to give once you have made a gift yourself!

Share Obie updates with your classmates. To stay on top of the latest programs, initiatives, and events taking place on campus—or even in cities across the U.S.—visit Oberlin’s website (www.oberlin.edu) or check the Alumni Association’s page (http://new.oberlin.edu/office/alumni/index.dot) for news to share with your classmates.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a gift. There are many fears and misconceptions about fundraising. But don’t worry—you are not tricking alumni into making a gift they don’t want to make. You are helping an interested classmate get involved and make a difference for Oberlin students through a gift to the Annual Fund.

Share why you think it’s important to support Oberlin. Don’t be afraid to tell your classmates why you support the Annual Fund. Your personal reasons for making a gift can be very compelling—share your story.

Listen. Listen to what your classmates are saying. If your classmates have questions or raise objections, please assure them that you will contact the Oberlin Annual Fund immediately, so that a staff member can respond to their concerns in a timely manner.

Have a plan before you call or email your classmates. Look over your contact sheets to see if anyone on your list has already made a gift this fiscal year. If you have any questions about the people on your list, please get in touch with your Annual Fund staff liaison before you begin contacting your classmates.

Send a personal thank you! Once a classmate on your list makes a gift, send them a personal thank you message by snail mail or e-mail—especially if your classmate is a first time donor. This is a great way to let your classmate know how much of a difference their gift will make!

Communicate with your lead agent. Don’t be afraid to let the lead agent for your class know how you are doing—who you have contacted, what gifts are expected, and if you’ve encountered any questions you would like help answering.

Share your successes with each other. You are the best resource for your fellow class agents!

Share your ideas, and don’t be afraid to ask another volunteer to share their ideas with you!

I'm just reaching out to people. I'm asking them to give. If they say why this is a bad time, I'm letting them know that participation and our collective total both matter and that even a smaller or token gift matters a lot. In any one year, some of us are in a position to give more, but we aren't all in the same position. We can do a lot collectively. – Chloe Bird ’86