When They Don’t Call Back: How to Get A “Yes” for Your Feasibility Study Interviews

Frances Roen
Aug 15, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Sep 8, 2025

You’ve sent the invite. You’ve refreshed your inbox. You’ve even checked your spam folder—twice.

Don’t panic—you’re not alone. Almost every organization runs into this at some point during their feasibility study interviews. And honestly? It’s a sign you’re doing it right.

Why? Because a small portion of your interview list should be true prospects—people you haven’t had a long-term relationship with, but who you know support similar work or have backed similar campaigns. Some will be eager to meet. Others will take a little more work.

Here’s how we coach our clients to handle the “no response” zone.

Try a Different Vehicle Before Giving Up

If you emailed and heard nothing, give them a call.

If you called and got nowhere, try a DM on LinkedIn.

People are busy. Sometimes it’s not a “no,” it’s just that your message got buried or your call came at the wrong time. It’s worth more than one attempt before you close the file.

Reconsider Who’s Making the Ask

Before the first invite went out, you hopefully matched each prospect with the person most likely to get a “yes.” But sometimes the right connector isn’t obvious until after the first try.

Ask your committee:

“Could someone make a warmer connection?”
“Does anyone know them personally?”
“Will anyone see them at an upcoming meeting or event who could casually mention our invitation?”

Those small, in-person nudges can sometimes open the door faster than a perfectly written email.

If You’re Hitting Gatekeepers, Play the Long Game

Can’t get past an assistant or general inbox? That doesn’t mean the door is closed forever.

Put the prospect “on hold” until you’ve built a stronger connection—maybe once your full campaign steering committee is in place or you’ve deepened relationships with people in their circle.

Don’t remove them from your “maybe” list—just note that some cultivation work is needed first.

When They Decline, Find Out Why

If someone says “no thank you,” see if there’s an opening to learn more:

Is it bad timing? Offer a phone or virtual meeting, or extend your interview window by a couple of weeks.
Are they out of town? Schedule something for after they return.
Are you not a current grantee, and they only meet with current grantees? Ask if you could schedule a separate time to talk about their funding priorities—especially if your work is evolving with the potential campaign.

Even if they won’t participate in a feasibility interview, this can be the start of a valuable relationship.

If They Say “Not a Fit,” Keep the Door Open

When someone says, “We don’t think this is a fit,” thank them sincerely for responding:

“Thank you for letting us know. We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress and sharing opportunities to connect in the future.”

You can even ask if they’d like to be on your mailing list or receive campaign updates. Sometimes “not a fit” today becomes “tell me more” next year.

The Bottom Line

Don’t get discouraged. Just like in life, some relationships are instant connections, and others take more time. Feasibility is about learning who’s “into you” and who’s not—and that’s part of the point.

A good consultant will help you strategize, test different approaches, and keep your study on track—even when the response rate isn’t perfect. And remember: every “no” brings you closer to the right “yes.”

White woman in black turtle neck with a smile.

Frances Roen is the Founder of Fundraising Sol and a fundraising consultant with two decades of experience. She is deeply passionate about relationship building, individual donor work, and supporting nonprofit professionals’ health and wellness to enable them to deliver their best work.