Are You Fundraising or Just Panhandling? The Right Way to Inspire Giving

Have you ever felt like fundraising was just begging for money? Like you were throwing out asks and hoping someone would say yes? If so, you’re not alone—but there’s a reason it feels that way. And it’s not just you.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising, I break down the difference between real fundraising and what I call panhandling. It all started with a phone call that should’ve been about speaking at a conference—but instead turned into a hard sales pitch for sponsorship. And when the other fundraiser shrugged and said, “Well, we have to ask everybody”, it hit me like a brick.

No. We don’t.

Fundraising isn’t about throwing out asks to anyone with a checkbook. It’s about building real relationships, aligning passions with purpose, and guiding donors on a hero’s journey—where they see themselves as part of the change.

In this episode, we dive into:
🎙️ The huge mistake that makes donors run the other way
🎙️ Why real fundraisers never feel like salespeople
🎙️ The key to making donors excited to give (without pressure)
🎙️ How to stop “panhandling” and start inspiring generosity

If you’re tired of making asks that feel transactional, if you want to build real donor relationships that last, this episode is for you.

🚀 Let’s raise money the right way.

Chapters

• 0:05 Building Lasting Impact Through Fundraising
• 8:56 Inspiring Change Through Effective Fundraising

Transcript

Keith Greer, CFRE: 0:05

Hey there, hi, and welcome back ambitious fundraisers. I'm your host, keith Greer, and you're listening to let's Talk Fundraising, the podcast, where we cut through the noise and talk about what really makes fundraising work building authentic relationships and inspiring generosity. Today I've got a story for you. It's a real hot take. It started as a simple phone call about speaking at a conference, but before I knew it, I was being hit hard with sales pitches to sponsor their event. And then came the line that stopped me in my tracks. Well, as fundraisers, we have to ask everybody. That moment got me thinking are we actually fundraising or are we just panhandling in disguise? Let's get into it and let's talk fundraising. So here's what happened.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 0:53

I got on a call with another fundraiser, someone organizing a regional fundraising conference. The invitation was for me to speak, which I was excited about. I love talking with fundraisers, sharing insights and helping people level up their impact. But almost as soon as we started, the conversation took a real sharp turn. Instead of talking about the speaking opportunity, they launched into a hard pitch about why I should sponsor their event, and when I said it wasn't in my budget and it didn't align with what I was doing, they just brushed it off. Well, as fundraisers, we have to ask everybody. I felt my stomach drop that line. We have to ask everybody, because sure, we have to ask, but not like that, the way this was happening. It wasn't about a partnership, it wasn't about alignment or even a genuine conversation. It was a transaction, plain and simple. And in that moment I realized that wasn't fundraising, this was just panhandling with a fancier title.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 1:55

That phone call took me straight back to the early days of my career, when I worked with a fundraiser who had one strategy Ask everyone for a million dollars. Who had one strategy Ask everyone for a million dollars. It didn't matter if they were a teacher, a retiree or someone grabbing coffee in the office lobby. If they had a pulse, they got the pitch. No discovery, no relationship building, no effort to see if their interests aligned with our cause, just a big, bold ask right out of the gate.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 2:23

And let me tell you the reactions. They were exactly what you'd expect Confusion, discomfort and a whole lot of no's. It felt like watching a used car salesman at work. You know the type they're pushy, they're aggressive and they make you feel like you have to buy right now, before the deal disappears. And that's the problem. When fundraising starts to feel like a high-pressure sales tactic, we stop being mission-driven professionals and we start looking desperate, and the damage it's real. People don't trust us. They feel like walking checkbooks instead of partners in making change, and when that happens, they don't just say no to one gift, they walk away from the organization altogether. That's why I call it panhandling, because if we're only focused on squeezing money out of people instead of inspiring them to make an impact, we're not actually fundraising at all.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 3:15

This is where I see fundraising completely differently. To me, philanthropy isn't just about money. It's almost a spiritual experience. It's about helping people see a world that's better than the one that they inhabit today, and then inviting them to be a part of the solution. As fundraisers, we are not salespeople. We're guides. Our job isn't to pressure someone into giving. It's to walk alongside them as they discover how they can create real change.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 3:45

It's about connection, it's about purpose and it's about impact, and when it's done right, it follows a journey, what storytellers call the hero's journey. First, they envision a better world. They see a problem that needs fixing Maybe it's homelessness, education gap or environmental destruction and they recognize something needs to change. Maybe it's homelessness, education gap or environmental destruction and they recognize something needs to change. Then they align their interests with purpose. They don't just throw money at the problem. They find the cause that speaks to their hearts no-transcript. Then they join in making a difference. And this is the moment where philanthropy happens, not because we begged or pressured them, but because they chose to take action. And finally they see the good achieved. They witness the impact of their generosity the scholarships awarded, the meals served, the medical research breakthroughs. They don't just give and forget. They see themselves as part of the change. That's what real fundraising is about.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 4:46

It's not about making an ask. It's about helping someone step into their own story of generosity. And when we do it right, they don't just give once. They become lifelong partners in changing the world. Think about it when someone truly feels connected to a cause, when they see the impact of their gift and they know they played a role in something bigger than themselves, they're not just writing a check. They're investing in a vision, and people want to keep investing in something that matters to them. That's why stewardship the way we care for and communicate with our donors is everything. It's not just a thank you email or an annual report. It's an ongoing conversation. It's inviting them to see the impact firsthand, to hear the stories of lives changed, to feel the ripple effect of their generosity. Because when donors see their giving making a real difference, they don't need to be pressured into giving again. They want to. They become champions for the cause, advocates in their own networks and, most importantly, they become lifelong believers in the mission. That's the kind of fundraising that lasts, not the quick hit, not the transactional ask, but the kind that builds movements, transforms communities, the kind that creates lasting change, transforms communities the kind that creates lasting change.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 6:04

And maybe you're listening to this and thinking yikes, I've definitely been guilty of panhandling before. First off, don't beat yourself up about it. We've all been there. The good news you can shift your approach today and start fundraising in a way that builds real, lasting impact. And here's how you can do it. First, listen more than you talk.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 6:29

Before making an ask, take the time to understand what truly matters to the donor. What are they passionate about? What kind of impact do they want to have? When you start with their heart instead of your funding gap, the entire conversation changes. Second, focus on relationships, not transactions.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 6:51

Fundraising isn't about squeezing a donation out of someone and moving on. It's about cultivating a connection over time. Follow up, check in, invite them into the mission in ways beyond giving. When donors feel seen and valued, they stay. Third, personalize the ask. People don't give just because you need money. They give because something speaks to them. Show them how their gift makes a difference in their area of interest. A generic pitch gets a polite no. A tailored, meaningful ask gets engagement. And finally, share the impact. Don't just collect the check and disappear. Show them what they made possible. Tell them stories, send them updates, invite them to see the work firsthand.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 7:40

When donors experience the real change they helped create, they don't just give again. They believe again. This is the difference between panhandling and real fundraising. One takes, the other builds. One is about the money, the other is about the mission, and that's the work we should all strive for. So here's my challenge to you Take a step back and ask yourself am I truly building relationships or am I just making asks?

Keith Greer, CFRE: 8:18

Fundraising isn't about securing gifts. It's about serving donors and causes in a way that makes philanthropy meaningful for everyone involved. So commit to doing it differently. Be the fundraiser who listens, who cares, who helps people step into their own story of generosity, because when you do that, you're not just raising money, you're building something that lasts. And if you're thinking, okay, I want to do this, but where do I start, you're in the right place, and upcoming episodes will be diving into practical strategies to deepen donor relationships, make meaningful asks and raise funds ethically and effectively.

Keith Greer, CFRE: 8:56

So stick around, hit that follow button and let's do this work together, because the world doesn't need more panhandlers. It needs real fundraisers who inspire change. You have a choice you can be a true philanthropic guide, walking alongside donors as they create real change, or you can be a panhandler chasing quick money with no connection. One path builds trust, impact and long-term support. The other burns bridges before they're even built. Choose the path that uplifts everyone. Thank you for spending this time with me on let's Talk Fundraising. I appreciate you and I know that by showing up, listening and growing, you're already making a difference in how you approach this work. And remember, our job is not to pressure people into giving. It's to help them become the hero of their own giving story. Until next time, keep building relationships, keep inspiring generosity and keep making an impact. I'll see you real soon.