FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE PODCAST

Hello, arts fundraisers, and welcome back to Fundraising Growth Now! Today we’re tackling an issue that I see over and over in arts philanthropy— making decisions based on fear. We’re going to talk about how fear-based decisions can hold back you, your organization, and your mission from achieving the success you are due.

Whether you’re a staff member or a Board volunteer, you know the pressure that comes with asking for money. That pressure can manifest in hesitation, overthinking, and a whole lot of “what ifs” with things that almost never happen.

I’ve got a “what if” for you: What if we confront those fears head-on, replace them with practical alternatives, and unlock the potential that’s already waiting for us?

Today, we’ll cover six common fear-based mistakes that fundraisers in the arts tend to make. I’ll also suggest some shifts in mindset, along with practical alternatives, to help you move past those fears and take positive action.

Let’s start by looking at some of those fear-based forced-errors.

1. Fear of Our Organization Not Being Ready to Make the Ask

I hear this one very often: “Our case isn’t ready” or “Our plan isn’t ready” or “We need more information.” It’s that nagging fear that we'll fail if everything isn’t perfect and polished. But here’s the thing: Your organization will never be 100% "ready" for the ask. Waiting for perfection often means delaying the impact you could be making right now.

Alternative Idea: Focus on progress over perfection. Get your baseline message in place, know your immediate needs, know the numbers, and know who your askers plan to speak with and in what order, and then start having conversations. Your donors will appreciate the transparency, and they’ll often want to help you shape the solution. At RSC, we are believers in “erring on the side of asking.”

 2. Fear that the Donor Isn't Ready for the Ask

We tell ourselves, “The donor isn’t ready for this yet” or “We need to warm them up more” or “They recently made a gift to another organization.” While there are occasions when timing is critical, the fear of the donor not being ready can lead to endless delays and missed opportunities. Here’s the truth—donors often know what they’re capable of before we do.

Alternative Idea: Instead of assuming they’re not ready, start by gauging their interest. Ask them questions, share your excitement about the organization’s plans, and see how they respond. You’d be surprised how often donors are waiting for the chance to give—sometimes, all you need to do is ask. And if they aren’t ready, let them tell you. Don’t rob them of the opportunity to make a decision and to be part of your organization’s story.

 3. Fear of Too Many Other Campaigns Going On Right Now

This is a classic fear, and to me, it’s nonsensical. You look around and see other organizations launching campaigns, maybe even in your community, and you think, “It’s too crowded. We should wait.”

But here’s the reality: There will always be other campaigns, other asks, and other causes. If we keep waiting for a “quiet” time, we’ll wait forever.

Alternative Idea: Focus on what makes your campaign and your organization unique. Other campaigns might be happening, but your mission and your story are different from those. Make the case for why now is the right time to invest in your organization’s vision.

 4. Fear of Hearing "No" from the Donor

Ah, the dreaded “no.” It’s such a small word, but holds so much power over us. We fear rejection because it feels personal. “No” can be painful, and so we avoid making the ask altogether. But guess what? "No" isn’t a failure. It’s part of the process. A “no” today can turn into a “yes” down the road if your investment in relationship-building continues.

Alternative Idea: Treat “no” as an opportunity for dialogue, not as an ending. Ask the donor why they choose not to give right now. What are their priorities? How can you align better in the future? Use the conversation to deepen the relationship rather than retreating from it.

 5. Fear of Not Having Enough Prospects for Our Campaign

It’s easy to get paralyzed when you’re staring at your donor list and feeling like it’s too small. You think, “We don’t have enough people to make this campaign successful.” But that fear becomes true if you stop there.  

The real issue isn’t how many prospects you have right now—it’s how willing you are to expand your prospect network.

Alternative Idea: Shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you can build. Look for connections through current donors, Board members, and community partners. Who can help you grow your prospect list? And more importantly, who can you engage in the mission to make your vision their own?

 6. Fear of a Weak Fundraising Message 

I touched on this earlier. This fear tends to pop up when we’re unsure about our Case for Support. We think, “What if the message doesn’t resonate?” or “What if our story isn’t compelling enough?” And so, we tweak it endlessly—or worse, we never feel confident enough to share it broadly.

Alternative Idea: The truth is, fundraising messages don’t need to be perfect—they need to be authentic. Focus on why your mission matters, why it matters now, and how donors can play a role. If you believe in what you’re saying, your donors will feel that passion, and they’ll respond to it. Plus, you can always refine the message as you gain real-time feedback from prospects and donors. Your arts organization never stands still, so why should your messaging? The truth is, it shouldn’t. 

So, there you have it—six common fear-based mistakes that are holding back too many in the arts fundraising world. The good news is, once you recognize those fears, you can start replacing them with practical steps forward.

Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. Every conversation you have, every ask you make, results in the ‘asking team’ becoming better. The byproduct is also that it builds confidence and motivation to keep moving the program forward. 

The next time you feel fear sneaking in, take a moment to ask yourself—what’s the worst that could happen? And more importantly, what’s the best that could happen if you let go of that fear and make the ask? When you take action sourced from a place of confidence and authenticity, you’re not only building relationships—you’re securing the future of your organization.

If you remember just one thing, make it this: Fear can feel isolating, but once you talk it through and think through the alternatives, those mountains can turn into molehills.