Fear of Fundraising

Dear Erica,

I would rather do anything than ask people for money. I find that it’s the hardest part of my board commitment; I even said to the nominating committee, “I’ll do anything for this board but I’m not raising money.” At the time, they let it pass but now it's our fund-raising season and they expect all board members to do their share. I really feel uncomfortable asking friends because then it’s all awkward and if people don’t know you they don’t give you the time of day. Should I just stick my hand in the sand, and this too shall pass?

The Ostrich of Olney

Dear Ostrich,

You may try to stick your head in the sand but it won’t work. Eventually you’ll get found out. Most people hate asking for money because they fear rejection. This may take them back to earlier days, like standing against the wall of the high school gym waiting for someone to ask you to dance. Fundraising isn’t like that. It only seems scary. And so what if people say no. You move on because every once in a while someone says yes and you feel that you have created a transaction of meaning. You helped someone give tzedaka, a higher Jewish value than giving yourself. There are many seminars and books that you can read about fund-raising that ease the process. I always bear in mind John D. Rockefeller’s simple words: “Never think you need to apologize for asking someone to give to a worthy cause.” But there’s something else to bear in mind as well. We have to make sure that our institution’s touch-point with everyone is not primarily about money but about meaning and value. What have we done for them lately that makes them want to give to us? Tell a personal story about how you’ve been inspired by your institution and the rest is a piece of cake.