Fundraising Beginners
Let’s get real: At first sight fundraising can be difficult and intimidating. What many people don’t think about is that fundraising can also be an enjoyable and satisfying experience.
Fundraising can be viewed in a positive light. It is part of any non-profit work and the initiative and marketing needed to be successful in your fundraising is a part of any job or schooling you will undertake. If you can get past the feeling that you are raising the funds for you, and instead consider that you are raising funds in order to provide much-needed help to others (while learning a lot yourself along the way), then you should feel proud – practically morally obligated! – to help people part with their money for a good cause. You can turn the activity of fundraising into an opportunity not only to energize others about your upcoming experience, but also to educate them about needs and issues in the developing world. At HELP International we make sure that our fundraising is mission based. When people believe in what you are doing they will be quite enthusiastic to invest their efforts with yours. You will be amazed by how many interesting people you will meet who will support and applaud you, not only financially but also in spirit.
Fundraising takes a combination of creativity, planning, hard work, tenacity and a sense of humor. Keep in mind that a significant percentage of HELP International volunteers raise all or part of their program fee and the success stories are many, so you can do this! In fact volunteers often report that the work they put into fundraising before they left added value to their overall experience.
The more people you help to invest in your HELP International
experience, the more value it has not only to you, but to others.
Make that part of your fundraising "mission"!
All of us in the office have fundraised in the past and are willing to serve as "mentors" for other would-be volunteers on how to put together a fundraising plan. Please check in with us and we will give you a little moral and technical support. Set up your fundraising appointment with the office ASAP.
We wish you the best of luck. Now let the journey begin!
- Believe - Give the donor concrete reasons for why you think your service will be a valuable experience for all stakeholders (i.e. donors, you, and those you are serving).
- Learn - Gather all the information you can about your country of service including its history, culture, and geography.
- Network - The more people you contact, the larger your giving base will become. Incorporate HELP International and/or your country-of-service into every conversation you possibly can!
- Remember - Draw your donors into the experience.
- Ask for support, ideas, and advice - from people you know who have money and contacts.
- Suggest - a specific amount to each donor. Ask for an appropriate amount that matches each donor’s resources and make donating as easy as possible.
- Ask - The people you contact care about you and your experience.
- Have fun - Raising funds should bolster your enthusiasm, not detract from it.
- Be honest - Know how your money will be used.
- Share your successes - with other volunteers. Your ideas and alterations will help and motivate others.
**Further information is provided in a 30 page fundraising packet for
those who are accepted to HELP.
**One on one mentoring and assistance is available for Help volunteers
at your request.