Funding Charities
While enjoying lunch with a business friend, I kept glancing at a group of collectors for a charity which I could see out of the window in one of the historic areas of a UK city. The collectors were very energetic and interfaced very actively with the public. After the meeting, I walked through the area where one of the collectors spoke with me. It turned into quite a conversation. She told me she was a professsional fund raiser. I have observed folk whom I thought must be specially employed to fund raise, in various cities and towns over the past few years but had never actually spoken to such a collector personally .
In response to a question or two, she shared part of her life's story, especially the events which had led her to be committed to Fund Raising in a professional way. Her younger brother had died tragically and this had caused her much to think about. She strongly felt that she would like to leave a legacy in the world that would continue to operate after she died. This was a fascinating story.
We parted as special friends as I sought to encourage her in all that she was doing.
I'm still processing the whole concept of professional fund-raising. Traditionally, those collecting for various charities have all been volunteers and really passioinate, in the main, about the charity in question. In our family, we have been involved in such events over the years. Currently, in the non-profit, with which I am invovled, funding is a key part of the international and multi-cultural operation. I'm trying to grasp this whole new approach and the mental gymnastics involved especially the whole concept of using money to encourage others to give more.
What are your thoughts about this aspect of charity work.....??
Here is an interesting website about the issue: http://www.raisingfunding.co.uk/
Remember to check out the Short-on-ideas blog page
