I am a definite “newb” when it comes to the world of raising funds. Sure, I sought sponsors for my grammar school walk-a-thons and did my best to market (a.k.a. force family, boyfriends, and roommates to buy) gaucho lacrosse gear, but my efforts to secure support for the Bike & Build cause have completely changed my perspective on what fundraising is really all about.
While I have been spoiled by the generosity of my friends and family and am well ahead of schedule on my way to my fundraising goal of $4,500, fundraising is no easy task. It is incredibly difficult to reach out to essentially everyone you know in order to talk all about why what you are doing is so awesome in fact, that everyone ought to give you money.
Because I had no clue how hard it is to ask for support, I also didn’t understand how great being supported really feels. The generosity of my family and many of my close friends--who I know are on very tight budgets--has floored me. You all know who you are-- I can’t thank you enough.
But when you are throwing yourself out there before friends, family, acquaintances, and colleagues, by virtually every mode of modern communication, NO form of support--however seemingly small--goes unnoticed.
So while I feel so appreciative and amazed by the open-handedness of many of my donors, it has been the thoughtfulness of each and every one of my supporters that has really caught my eye. The thought that comes with donating just 5 bucks or actually responding to my fundraising e-mail or even just posting a “Good Luck!” on my Bike & Build event wall, really means a whole lot. I can’t express how great it feels to have the support of friends and family. Thank you all so much!
P.S.
During this fundraising process, past donation requests from friends have come to mind: requests that I either let slip past me or simply ignored because, “my $10 wouldn’t really make a difference.” So sorry I missed the opportunity to show support for those friends and the awesome causes they were working for! Please accept the apologies of my late, “fundraising ignorance.”
