SusanG's provocative recent
diary on money and Sarah Carter's sincere but apologetic
appeal for funds for her Dad's campaign have got me thinking that maybe we need a little primer on fundraising for good causes.
I raise money for a living so, if you're interested, have a seat and we'll talk about how to raise money without losing your soul - or dying of embarrassment.
Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Ready?
Take one minute and write down whatever pops into your head when you think of the word "wealth."
Good. Now take a minute and write down whatever pops into your head when you think of the word "rich people."
One more. Take a final minute and write down whatever pops into your head when you think of the word "fundraising."
We're going to talk about your answers in a minute. But first let's get some facts straight about fundraising. Who gives money to charity in America? Well, individuals, mostly. Individuals accounted for 85% of all giving last year, dwarfing the amount given by foundations and corporations. What's more, middle income donors give a higher percentage of their incomes (1.87%) to charity than wealthier folks (.54%) (see study).
Okay. So let's hear what words and phrases some of you wrote down. Budydharma, do you have something to share with the whole class? No? Eyes forward, then.
I'm going to guess that some pretty negative associations were formed around these words. And yet, as SusanG so eloquently put it, "The fact is, money is a tool. In and of itself, it is absolutely neutral. It can be spent for good, it can be spent for evil. Just like a hammer, it can be used either to bash someone's head in or to build a house."
So you want to change the world. Me too.
And you need some money to make it happen. Me too.
And yet, you'd rather shower with Ann Coulter than ask somebody for money. Not me!
I'm sorry - did I go too far there? I apologize.
So let's get to what fundraising is not: fundraising for good causes is not begging!
Fundraising for progressive causes is about inviting people to participate in the radical act of making the world a better place.
Some of us - the lucky ones - get to work for organizations that help feed hungry people (as I do), or that protect our public lands, or advocate for more rational public policy. Some of us - the lucky ones - go to work every day for courageous progressive candidates running for office.
Most people aren't so lucky. They work in banks or law firms or schools or coffee shops. Yet they want to save the planet as much as you do. They want Jack Carter to be elected as much as you do.
You see this every day. You read the diaries on this site, you talk to people at work or at school: we are living in a time when millions of people want desperately to restore balance and justice and sanity to our civil life.
So, please: let them help! Now! Without fear or shame!
Fundraising is about inviting good people to share in the work of saving the world. You are not asking for a handout. You are inviting the other person to make a social investment in a better world. And, I'm telling you, people just need to be asked.
Your success -- we're going deep here -- must come from within. If you think wealthy people are creeps or that fundraising is sleazy, you will not raise the funds you need to accomplish your goals. And that would be a shame.
To do it right, you need to uncover your unconscious attitudes and value judgments and all the stuff that keeps you from asking others to help you elect a good person to public office, or whatever else you're trying to get done.
Questions? Comments?