Consider Saying YES: The Perspective of a Fundraising Professional

My entrance into the non-profit world wasn’t just an accident; it wasn’t a calculated decision either. As a child, my first BIG fundraiser was a walkathon from San Pablo to Albany, California. My feet were blistered. I was exhausted but felt I had made a difference. The most expensive fundraiser was a church youth group M&M sale. My mother ended up paying for what felt like a lifetime supply of candy! One thing they all had in common was the feeling of community coming together to do something for someone else.

Becoming a Fundraising Professional can be a bit scary but there is nothing more infinitely rewarding. Your work makes a difference for someone who you may never know or meet. Their life and those around them will change by breaking negative family cycles, creating healing, sharing love, and making an impact for generations to come.

At a fundraiser in May for the CONTRA COSTA FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, BUILDING SAFETY THROUGH COMMUNITY, we were approached by a woman who asked us what we were setting up for. We told her it was a fundraiser for the Family Justice Center and she replied, “You saved my sister’s life, I mean you literally saved it.” That one moment made it all worth it!

I have seen children attend Camp Concord only because of FRIENDS OF CAMP CONCORD DAN ASHLEY GOLF TOURNAMENT and their efforts to raise funds to send underserved youth to a week-long camp near South Lake Tahoe. Seeing a smile on a young child’s face as they paddle in the lake for the first time reminds me of why I shuffle through countless potential donors to find the one who says “Yes, I would love to support these children.”

There is always a new non-profit that reaches out and asks for help in fulfilling their passion to help women like SAFEHAVEN in Grass Valley. Meeting with new Executive Directors is invigorating as they share their passion and want nothing more than to serve others.

Working with non-profit executive directors, staff, board members, and community volunteers has always given me a sense of hope. That the world is filled with people doing great things. Amazing people that don’t have time for petty arguments, aimless bantering, or wasteless hours on social media. They are the boots on the ground!

Community organizations like the MONUMENT CRISIS CENTER are busy serving families by providing living essentials, after-school tutoring, elder services, and housing referrals. The work they do doesn’t leave time to waste. It pushes me to do more, work harder, and share their causes.

With all of the rewards, what is the most difficult aspect of fundraising? Hearing NO, NOT INTERESTED. Unfortunately, this is heard more times than I can count. My naivety, in the beginning, was that everyone would want to give to organizations that are changing people’s lives, right? To be fair, not everyone shares the same heart for the causes that I do. I just happened to choose causes that, at times, can be uncomfortable and quite literally will clear a room when talked about. But, with every NO you get closer to a yes.

As a Fundraising Professional, I ask that you take a moment to listen to our ask, read the email from that executive director, and consider participating in their fundraising event. Consider what it would be like without the work being done by these organizations. I mean really picture that one person and how changing their life can change all of the lives they will touch now and in the future.

We all talk a good game in that we want to make a difference but actions speak louder than words. Find your heart's cause, reach out, participate, and become part of the change we need in our world.

If you would like more information on the non-profit organizations mentioned please feel free to contact TLD Consulting.