Story. Offer. Ask.™
The Simple Framework That Helps Donors Care, Understand, and Say Yes.
Every fundraising message has one job: move someone from simply understanding your work to actually wanting to help.
Story Offer Ask™ is a simple framework that helps you do exactly that.
Created by Chris Davenport, founder of the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference and author of Stories That Raise Money, Story Offer Ask has helped nonprofits create fundraising messages that connect more deeply with donors and raise more money.
→ Take the Free Story Offer Ask Diagnostic
What Is Story Offer Ask?
Most fundraising messages are trying to accomplish three things:
- Help someone care.
- Show them how they can help.
- Invite them to act.
When one of those pieces is missing, fundraising becomes harder than it needs to be.
Story Offer Ask gives you a simple way to see what's working and what isn't working.
STORY makes the donor care.
A donor has to feel something before they give.
A good story helps them see one person, one moment, or one specific need clearly enough to care. The feeling you want is real caring, not guilt and not pressure.
OFFER shows what the gift will do.
Once a donor cares, they need somewhere for that caring to go.
The offer shows them what their gift makes possible. Skip the vague version like "support our work" and tell them something they can picture. A meal. A safe night for someone who had nowhere to go. A family that stays in their home.
ASK invites the donor to act.
The ask is where you clearly invite the donor to give.
Most messages hint at it or hope the donor figures it out. You have to actually ask. When the story, offer, and ask work together, fundraising stops feeling like you are convincing someone to give. It feels like helping a donor do something they already want to do.
Is Something Missing?
If you've ever thought...
- "People say they love our mission, but they don't give."
- "Our appeals explain everything, but response is disappointing."
- "We tell stories, but they don't seem to raise more money."
- "Something feels off, but I can't figure out what."
...the answer may simply be that one part of Story Offer Ask is missing.
Take the Story Offer Ask Diagnostic
The Story Offer Ask Diagnostic helps you identify which part of your fundraising messages needs the most attention.
In just a few minutes you'll receive personalized feedback and practical next steps to strengthen your fundraising.
→ Take the Free Story Offer Ask Diagnostic
Learn the Complete Story Offer Ask Framework
The diagnostic is just the beginning.
If you'd like to understand Story Offer Ask in depth, including why it works, how to use it, and dozens of real fundraising examples, read Chris Davenport's book:
Stories That Raise Money
Inside you'll learn how to create fundraising that gets more donors to care, better understand the impact of their gift, and confidently say yes.
About the Creator of Story Offer Ask™
Chris Davenport created Story Offer Ask after years of studying why some fundraising messages connect deeply with donors while others are quickly forgotten.
He is the founder of the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, where thousands of nonprofit professionals have learned practical storytelling and fundraising techniques. He is also the author of Stories That Raise Money.
Chris believes that fundraising becomes easier when we stop trying to convince donors to give and instead help them care enough to want to.
Continue Learning
There are several ways to go deeper with Story Offer Ask.
Take the Diagnostic
Find the strengths and weaknesses in your fundraising.
→ Take the Free Story Offer Ask Diagnostic
Read Stories That Raise Money
Learn the complete Story Offer Ask framework.
→ Learn More About the Book
Attend the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
Experience Story Offer Ask through workshops, keynotes, and real-world examples.
→ Learn More About the Conference
Join Nonprofit Storytelling Pro
Receive ongoing coaching, feedback, and support as you apply Story Offer Ask to your own fundraising.
→ Learn More About Pro
Story Offer Ask™ and The Story Offer Ask Diagnostic™ are frameworks created by Chris Davenport.
You’re welcome to use and share them with attribution.