Q: Our board was excited about the model but nervous about starting off asking for five-year gifts, so they insisted we start with three-year pledges. Now that we are in the second year, we wish we had asked for longer pledges. Do you have any advice on how to get our three-year donors to extend their pledges and how to change our program for new donors to give five-year pledges?

Jeremy in Indiana

A: The good news is that now you can see how quickly three years goes by and how the model builds long-term supporters. The easiest way to shift to a five-year program is to announce it at your next Ask Event^™. As a courtesy, I'd recommend you call your three-year donors in advance to tell them there will be a new option to consider: becoming five-year donors. If they prefer to stay with three years, that is fine. Just be sure to make it clear at your Ask Event that in order to be in your giving society, a pledge of $1,000 a year for five years is now the minimum level.

Terry