Trust Your Gut: Honoring Intuition in Values-Based Fundraising

We’ve all felt it—that twinge in our stomach when we’re about to make an ask and something just feels… off.

Maybe it’s because the donor hasn’t returned your last two emails. Maybe it’s because you’re being pushed to ask for a gift when the relationship hasn’t been built. Or maybe it’s because, deep down, you don’t feel ready to make the ask—and you’re not sure they’re ready to receive it.

That uncomfortable feeling in your gut?

That’s not fear.

That’s not weakness.

That’s intuition.

And it’s time we start listening to it.

We’ve Been Taught to Ignore It

Too many of us have been trained to push through those internal cues. To follow the script. To make the ask anyway. To “just do it” even when something doesn’t feel aligned.

In a culture that values hustle and quantifiable outcomes, fundraisers are often asked to:

• Move too quickly through relationships

• Override gut feelings in favor of predetermined timelines

• Trade consent for conversion

But let’s be honest:

That hasn’t helped us raise more money.

It hasn’t made our donors feel more seen or respected.

And it certainly hasn’t made us feel good about our work.

When we move too quickly that’s the only thing that goes faster… our part. It feels good to control our controllables and feel like we got 20 asks out the door. But that doesn’t mean you’re raising money.  

The donor doesn’t move faster because you do. How many times have you heard a donor say, “Oh wow! You seem like you’re really in a hurry and that makes me want to give you more and faster!” Never. Donors, and people in general, are on their own time. The way to move things faster is to understand their timing and build consent into the relationship so you can move quickly together. You out there going fast doesn’t move the needle unless your donor is with you.

Intuition Is a Skill — Not a Flaw

In addition to being asked to move at the speed of light and make asks quickly, fundraisers are expected to hold a crystal ball: to predict who will give, when, and how much. It’s a tall order.

But here’s the thing: your intuition is the closest thing you have to that crystal ball. The other thing is money questions, and you can learn more about those here.

Intuition is based on a million little pieces of information your brain and body have gathered. The tone of a donor’s email. The way they light up about a specific program. The hesitance in their voice the last time you brought up giving.

Those signals matter.

And when we override them, we short-circuit the very intelligence we’re being asked to use.

Your gut knows.

And it’s time we all start trusting it.

Three Practices to Honor Your Intuition

If you’ve spent years (or decades) suppressing your inner voice in the name of “getting the job done,” you’re not alone. The good news is: intuition isn’t a finite resource. You can always return to it.

Here are three small practices to reconnect with and show gratitude for your intuition—especially in the context of fundraising.

1. 

Pause Before Action

Before writing that email or making that call, take 30 seconds to pause. Ask yourself:

• What’s the energy I’m bringing to this ask?

• Do I feel any tightness, pressure, or dread?

• If I could do anything in this conversation, what would feel right?

Sometimes that moment of pause is all it takes to realize: Not yet. Or not like this. And that’s not a failure. It’s discernment.

2. 

Journal the Clues

Start a quick “intuition log.” Each day (or once a week), jot down moments where your gut was telling you something—especially in donor interactions.

• When did I feel a green light?

• When did I feel a red flag?

• What did I do—and what was the outcome?

You’ll begin to notice patterns: situations where you trusted your gut and things went well… and moments where you ignored it and felt drained or discouraged. Use that awareness as data to build confidence in your internal compass.

3. 

Use the Pre-Ask as a Trust Practice

One of the simplest ways to honor your intuition is to stop assuming your donor is ready for the ask—and check in first.

That’s what the pre-ask is all about.

“Would now be the right time to talk about your gift this year?”

“Can I bring you a proposal next week to support this work?”

It’s not a delay tactic. It’s an act of consent that moves you toward a shared goal.

And it builds more trust than a surprise ask ever could.

Fundraising with Consent, Not Coercion

When we center consent in our donor relationships, we’re not weakening our fundraising—we’re strengthening it. We’re building partnerships rooted in trust and care. We’re creating more durable, more joyful giving relationships. And we’re honoring our own humanity in the process.

So, the next time your gut tells you to pause, to wait, or to say something different—listen.

That’s not a sign of doubt.

That’s the wisdom that will guide you to a deeper yes.

Ready to Reimagine Your Major Gifts Program?

We’d love to help you honor your intuition every day as your support team for major gift work.

Our Values-Based Major Gifts: Done With You package includes:

• 12 months of tailored support

• Strategy, segmentation, stewardship planning

• Support for portfolios from 20 to 600+ donors

• Coaching and scripts for every step of the cycle

• A 40% discount for BIPOC-led organizations

And yes—our clients raise more money and feel better doing it.

(25% more than the year before, on average.)

Want to explore if it’s a fit?

📅 Book a free 15-minute curiosity call

You deserve to feel good about your work as a fundraiser.

You deserve to trust yourself in all areas of your life.

And your donors deserve the kind of fundraising that starts with consent and care.