Asking for money isn’t easy.

So, as with anything that takes effort, the yetzer hara gets creative.

Let’s zoom in on one tactic: the donor-excuse generator:

• “The market’s down—bad time to ask.”
• “He’s chased by everyone—I should leave him alone.”
• “No reply to my email—I must’ve offended him.”
• “It's summer vacation time—I’ll give him space.”

Thoughtful? Yes. Accurate? Not necessarily. Helpful? No.

Because you’re not asking him to fund a family trip to Florida. You have a mission—to build the future of Klal Yisrael. Your job is to ask. And ask again.

Leave the cheshbonos to your donor.

It’s his role to decide how much and when. Your role is to be clear about needs and invite him to join you and be a part of it.

Of course, sometimes donors will say they can’t help right now—and that’s fine.
Just don’t imagine those moments into existence.

What to do when the excuse-generator kicks in

1. Swap speculation for facts.

What did he give last year? What do you need this year?

2. Give yourself chizuk—tighten your pitch:

• Why do you need these funds? (How will they change lives?)
• Why is it crucial now? (Express emergency-free urgency.)
• What happens if you don’t? (Name the missed impact.)
• Which story will move him? (Keep one in your pocket.)

No more falling for the yetzer hara’s donor-excuse tactics. Your mission deserves better.

Have a great fundraising week,
Avraham

Copyright © 2025 Avraham Lewis & Co.