You need to ask a quality question to get a quality answer. Above a list of 31 sample questions you can adapt to your own interviews, and 15 solid questions with reasons behind each one!

Consider variations on these in the framework of the situation — the interview’s purpose, the story you are writing, the donor’s personality and life experiences, etc. Context is everything. These are not meant to be asked in any particular order, or even in every situation.

People skills are far more important than technical skills. Why? Because people give to people, not to institutions. 

Yet sometimes, even the most socially adept among us need a little help to get the conversation started. That’s why we’ve developed these questions and conversation starters.  They help break the ice, establish trust, and get you started on the path to building a meaningful, mutually beneficial relationship.