ASKING FOR MONEY
So, you’re all signed up and you’ve got your online Famine Profile looking sensational. Now you just have to ask people for money: argh! That sounds scary, huh? Don't stress.
With our tips, you’ll do great: 1. GET YOUR HEAD AROUND THE ISSUE
Get your head around the issue of
global hunger and
what World Vision will do with the funds raised.
This will help you out a lot when it comes to brainstorming fundraising ideas and asking people for money.
Here’s a basic outline of what you could include:
“Dear everyone.
I’m doing the World Vision 40 Hour Famine in August.
My friends and I are going without food (or whatever it is that you are giving up) for 40 hours to raise money to help kids around the world who are suffering from chronic hunger.
My goal is to raise $____
Could you please support me, and them, by making a donation?”
2. WRITE AN EMAIL
This is the easiest way to ask for donations. Before you send the email, write a list of everyone you know – friends, relatives, your parents’ friends – then write down the key things people might want to hear from you when you ask them for donations. This might include where the money goes, why you’re doing it and how they can give.
3. MAKE IT PERSONAL
You could tell people statistics all day, but until you give people a personal connection, they’re unlikely to support you. Many people don’t know that you can give up things other than food either.
So, why are you doing the 40 Hour Famine? What are you giving up? And why do you care? If you can convey this clearly to your potential supporters, you’ll be much better off!
Don’t be afraid to inject a bit of humour and personality into your emails, either. Global hunger may not be a funny issue, but you’ll get way more donations if you add a bit of fun to your email!
4. BE CONFIDENT
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
It takes a lot of courage to email someone you don’t know well and ask them to give you money, and even more if you’re asking in person!
(If you do collect donations in person, check out the Famine Guidelines for help.) But if you’re confident and take your chances you’ll do a lot better than if you stay quiet and don’t ask anyone. You can do it!
5. TELL THEM IT’S ONLINE AND EASY
Yep, with your online Famine Profile it’s super easy for them to donate using a credit card online and get a receipt emailed to them.
6. GIVE THEM A RECEIPT FROM YOUR FAMINE GUIDE
(Group Members only)Some people really like that they can use the receipt to help them out at tax time. If they use their credit card to donate online, they will get a receipt emailed to them.
Please note that you can’t offer tax deductible receipts from your Famine Guide where people receive something in exchange for their donation, for example, cake stalls or craft stalls.