Italian Phrase
Altrimenti, pensa a fare una donazione.
Meaning
This sentence means ‘Otherwise, think about making a donation.’ It is a gentle urging, often used after presenting a cause or benefit, suggesting that the listener consider contributing financially.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to encourage someone to support a charitable cause, a crowdfunding campaign, or any situation where a donation would be helpful. It works well in speeches, emails, or face‑to‑face conversations after you’ve explained why the donation matters.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Altrimenti,pensaafareunadonazione.
Altrimenti (otherwise)
An adverb used to introduce a consequence or alternative; it often links two clauses and is placed at the beginning of the second clause.
pensa a + infinitive
The verb ‘pensare’ when followed by ‘a’ takes an infinitive to express ‘think about doing something’. Do not use ‘pensare di’ here, which means ‘think that…’.
fare una donazione
A verb‑noun construction where ‘fare’ (to make/do) is used with the noun ‘donazione’ to mean ‘to make a donation’.
🗨In Conversation
Altrimenti, pensa a fare una donazione.
Otherwise, think about making a donation.
Certo, lo farò subito!
Sure, I’ll do it right away!
✕Common Mistakes
Altrimenti, pensa di fare una donazione.
‘Pensare di + infinitive’ means ‘to think that you will do…’, not ‘think about doing…’. Use ‘pensa a’ for the latter.
Altrimenti pensa a fare una donazione.
A comma after ‘Altrimenti’ clarifies the pause and improves fluency; omitting it can sound rushed.
Altrimenti, pensa a fare un donazione.
‘Una donazione’ is the correct indefinite article for the feminine noun ‘donazione’. ‘Un donazione’ is grammatically wrong.
↔Alternatives
Altrimenti, considera di fare una donazione.
Otherwise, consider making a donation.
Se no, pensa a donare.
If not, think about donating.
In caso contrario, pensa a contribuire con una donazione.
In the opposite case, think about contributing with a donation.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, donations to registered charities are tax‑deductible, which many people mention when they ask for support. Using a polite, indirect form like ‘pensa a fare una donazione’ sounds respectful and is more likely to be well‑received than a direct demand. Also, adding a brief explanation of how the money will be used can increase willingness to give.