How do I add a Dynamic Ask component?

Anonymous Blackbaud User

The dynamic Ask component is used to calculate a suggested donation that is different for each constituent, depending on his or her giving history. If you have included a user-entered giving level as part of a Donation Form, you can link to the form with the Dynamic Ask component. You can include the component once to ask for a single suggested amount, or use it repeatedly to ask for something like the following: “If you could give $50, $75 or even $100, you could provide support for ….” The “Other Amount” on your donation form will pre-fill with whichever amount the donor clicks on.

The Dynamic Ask component can also be used to calculate a suggested donation that is not linked to a donation form. This might be useful in a message that introduces several donation forms and suggests that the constituent give the calculated amount to the cause that interests them most.

Add a Dynamic Ask component as follows:

1. Create and publish a Donation Form if you would like to link the component to a form.

2. Access the WYSIWYG window of a page, such as your homepage, or of an email.

3. Type a bit of text to introduce the component. For example, you might type the following: “Could you consider giving “

4. Place the cursor where you would like to insert the suggested donation and select Dynamic Ask from the Components drop-down menu.

5. In the component selector box that opens, select your Donation Form from the drop-down menu provided if you would like to link to a form.

6. Choose whether to Start the calculation with the donor’s:

- Highest Previous Contribution

- Most Recent Contribution

- Year-to-Date Total Giving

- Last Year Total Giving

7. Provide a default/minimum value in case the user has not previously contributed, or in case previous giving was at a very low level.

8. Provide a percentage, a dollar amount, or both that you would like to add to the base amount when the suggested amount is presented to the potential donor. For example, you might enter a 10% increase plus a $10 increase, or simply choose a 25% increase.

9. Provide an amount for rounding the final suggested figure. The default amount for rounding is to the nearest multiple of $5.00, but you can change it.

10. Click Insert to place the component on your page. The component will look something like the following, but the user will see only the text you enter and the calculated dollar amount. The dollar amount will serve as a link to your donation form.

11. Complete the sentence and/or punctuation for the sentence, or add the component again with a calculation that asks for a higher percentage or dollar amount.

*IMPORTANT: The component supplies only the calculated dollar amount so you will need to provide all surrounding text and punctuation.*

12. Save your changes and complete your email or page according to your standard procedure. Be sure to Preview your work to be certain you have calculated a reasonable request.