What not to do when doing Fundraising

Over the years I have done several fundraising attempts for several good causes. And here is a thing or two I learnt not to do:

1.Do not expect people to give you the money by just telling them you are fundraising.

I was sitting at a coffee shop and a lady came in with a card, asking(more like ordering) me to make a donation for a childcare organisation. I asked her what would they do with the money and how it could help the children they were caring for. She simply answered with two bloody words. 'feed them'. There are nice people out there who are ready and willing to help but you gotta play your role. You are fundraising not begging, so please explain to people the cause that you are doing and how it will help make the world a better place. If a person is kind enough to give you a minute or two to listen to what you've got to say, you are looking at a potential donor already. Don't screw up!

2. Do not think that just because you smile, people owe you a fortune.

Smile when asking for help is the most sensible thing, if not a mandatory thing to do. If you decided to go out to ask for donation, even with an in-depth explanation and 110% genuine smile on your face, raising fund with such approach can only bring you this far. It's likely for you to find that a smile doesn't guarantee you the gold you aim for. Most people turn down requests like that because they cannot see what they can benefit from the 'deal' if they were to give away something/money. If you ask why? I guess I'd have to say nothing comes free in this world and that's just the way it is. 

3. Do not show your disgusted face when people decided not to donate.

Many less experienced fundraisers experience disappointment at the beginning of their journey because they see the world filled with loving people everywhere. However, as they go through a few rejections and failures they start to show annoyance and impatience. These fundraisers often think that if someone refuses to donate to your cause, you do not have to be nice to them anymore. Thats is completely untrue! If you do this, not only your potential donors will be disgusted by your immature attitude, you are also making things a lot more difficult for future fundraisers as the impression will stay and be passed on to the people around these donors who you have childishly pissed off. 

So, if you're planning to get our there and raise some fund, please do have serious considerations over the 3 things I have mentioned!

Good Luck!

signed 

g.