A little girl asked to see the president of a large company. She explained that her club was raising money and asked if he would contribute.
Smiling, he laid a quarter and a dollar bill on his desk and said, "Take whichever one you want."
The little girl said, "My mother taught me to take the smallest piece, but I'll take this piece of paper to wrap it in so I won't lose it." Smart kid.
Fundraising is one of those necessary tasks that helps great causes and scares people silly, all at the same time.
Even when needs are great, asking for money is a daunting prospect. I've been involved in a variety of deserving organizations. The story is the same, time after time. Volunteers eagerly fill the other committees, but the work can't even get started until someone brings in the support.
That is why I see fundraising as a terrific opportunity.
First and foremost, the organization benefits because you have a chance to put your cause out in front of people who might be able to help, or know someone you can contact. It may take more than one appeal, so laying the groundwork is an important first step.
Second, you benefit because you can practice your sales skills in an environment that will open doors to people you might not otherwise have contact with. You learn to handle rejection gracefully, an essential skill that every successful salesperson must master. And as with any selling proposition, you get better as you practice your presentation.
