The 5th Grader Mindset: Be Fearless & Ask Like You Mean It.
Here’s something I guarantee every 5th grader understands better than most fundraisers: If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
If a kid wants something—a snack, a video game, a puppy—they don’t waste time worrying about the perfect phrasing. They don’t schedule three pre-meetings to "warm up the conversation." They don’t spend six months convincing themselves they need to "build the relationship more first."
They just ask.
Loudly. Confidently. Over and over until they get an answer.
Now, am I saying you should take the 5th grader approach of asking 47 times in a row until someone gives in? No. (Though, let’s be real, that does work sometimes.) But I am saying that most fundraisers hesitate way too much when it comes to making the actual ask.
They hold off until the “perfect moment.” They downplay what they really need. They apologize before they even get to the number.
5th graders don’t do this. They assume that what they want is worth asking for. And that’s exactly what fundraisers need to do, too.
The next time you’re gearing up to ask a donor for support, channel your inner 5th grader. Ask with confidence. Say the number like you actually believe in it. And, most importantly, stop talking after you ask—because 5th graders also understand something else fundraisers tend to forget:
The first person to speak after the ask usually loses.
This is just one of the lessons inside Fundraise Like a 5th Grader, and there’s a whole lot more where that came from. If you’re ready to stop overthinking and start fundraising like a natural, stay tuned – this book is totally for you!
So here’s the deal - we’re looking for folks who want to get access to this book early, would be willing to read it, review it, help promote it when we launch, and be ok with getting thank you notes, personal praise & admiration, and exclusive invites to trainings, and private coaching!
I’d love to have you join me!
So, send me an email – Patrick@DoGoodBetterConsulting.com – and let me know if you like getting cool stuff!
I appreciate you!!
-Patrick
It's a refreshing perspective to consider adopting the straightforward approach of a 5th grader when it comes to asking for what you need. It's a good reminder that sometimes, the simplest method can be the most effective, especially in fundraising. For more insights on this topic, you might find Scritchy Scratchy interesting, as they cover a variety of strategies and mindsets that can be applied in different scenarios.
That bit about the first person to speak after the ask usually losing really hit home — I’ve seen so many deals fall apart because someone couldn’t sit in the silence. It’s like the article says, 5th graders just ask and wait, no apology needed. — Iron Nest Guide reference
The bit about skipping the three pre-meetings and just asking loudly hit home—I’ve definitely over-prepared for asks that could’ve been a simple conversation. By the way, I keep a free recipe site for late-night cravings I like to share: https://foodnevercomes.net/
Great reminder that confidence matters when making an ask. Believing in your mission and being clear about what you need can make all the difference. Looking forward to seeing more practical lessons from this book—and hopefully GTA 5 Mobile arrives soon too, because that's another thing people have been confidently asking for!
Adults overcomplicate fundraising out of fear. We constantly look for excuses, running to a mental Crutches Manufacturer to lean on superficial pretexts. Shifting to that raw, fearless 5th-grader mindset is incredibly liberating