1000 word excerpt

Im not good at asking for money! How often have we heard that one? This is nothing more than a weak cop-out and one which is totally unacceptable. Excluding pure grace and the unconditional love that we should all show for each other, everything we want has to be asked for. We ask for a raise, children ask for a bicycle or a vehicle, we ask for a commitment from others. We even ask for forgiveness! Why, therefore, can we not ask someone to support our cause? Note, though, that the term our cause is only ours in the sense that we are performing a task on other peoples behalf. They should be grateful! The cause itself is really the communitys cause or at least, a good segment of the communitys. In all cases, it is one which benefits others, beyond ourselves. Nothing, therefore, could be more honorable or of more service than to seek funds to provide something that is needed. And keep in mind that many great people throughout history have come to the conclusion that service of this kind and looking to the needs for others ultimately provides the single greatest source of personal happiness.

Perhaps all of this is more about a sense of involvement; of realizing that were not put on this earth to merely receive. But, instead, one of our purposes is to join, to help equalize, to look with compassion on others who have less and to address unmet needs. From this comes the notion that small communities grow and prosper because of what we all contribute to them. What sort of need is there? How can we meet it? Note that the we here, is not and should not be how can the government give us everything we want?

If we can move them (the apparent non-givers) to see the need, become involved, contribute, and share in the blessing, both they and we will have bridged the gap of greater understanding. They become a donor. They become inspired. We have merely opened a door for them and shown them a beautiful garden beyond.

We can set goals to reach and we can spend time in endless discussion about who we think will contribute, but in the end, it all boils down to this:

* We want to extract money from others.
* These others already have lots of things to do with their money.
* These others are often us. And if theyre not, theyre not much different from most of us.
* We have to create in them a good reason to part with their money and give it to us.
* We have to ask.

It is generally understood by a lot of people that all giving is reciprocated. Therefore, we have to feel good about performing the role of creating, for another person, a giving opportunity.

And so, asking for money is a most honorable undertaking. Money is not a dirty word. Its what makes our world go round and pays for nearly everything that benefits others. It is as important a resource as time and equally to be respected. Getting money from those who can and want to give, as well as from those who are more reluctant, is the finest form of recycling.

Fundraising is action. It is doing. It is out on the street. It is meeting people. It is willing to face rejection. It is time consuming. It is selfless. But it is as fine a service to humanity and the community as anything else can be and it is completely rewarding. It is the one element of a project or endeavor, without which nothing else can be achieved. It is not a you or I thing. It is a we thing. A win-win and an act of love, which requires courage, determination, belief in what youre doing and commitment to the cause and goal.

For any fundraising endeavor to be successful, the key pre-requisite has to be the example set by the board. If the board is not passionate and motivated and totally supportive, the whole venture is likely to fizzle out. And when I say board, I mean all of them. There cannot be any feeling of opposition, or worse still, a split-off section that ends up in sabotaging the project. If compromises have to be made, that is OK, but let all of that happen before the fundraising program starts, because after it does, it is essential that the entire board be united.

If, at any time, the purpose, timings and financial goal have not been clearly stated, go back to the (drawing!) board and obtain clarification. Make sure that supporting facts and figures are in place. If there is a design involved, conceptual diagrams are important. In other words, make sure you have all the tools necessary to do the job. It is not considered the fundraising committees function to be the visionary or the architect of the project. But it is the fundraising committee heads job to become involved in the setting of the financial goal. In the mind of the person who is heading the fundraising effort, this goal has to be realistic, achievable and reconcilable.

Remember, 80% of something is better than 100% of nothing. To wait for everything to be perfect is to tacitly agree that this project will never get off the ground.

This books aim is to get us to see that fundraising is essential for any worthwhile program to work and that cash and in-kind contributions are indispensable for any capital project to start. Most people understand this basic principle but most people dont want to do the actual work of raising money. But they do know that someone will step up to do it and, deep down, they are most grateful that it is you and not them. In fact, most people who have been around for some time will tell you that they are extremely relieved and truly appreciate you for performing that role.