Best Fundraising Tips For Grassroots Fundraising

Myth	People get tired of being asked for money.		Gifts from individuals are what helps Cherry Hill Seminary keep tuition affordable, and continue to develop the best quality education for ministry in the modern Pagan world. Support for Cherry Hill means stronger leadership serving all of our communities. Your group can hold its own fundraiser between now and Samhain to further the work of Cherry Hill, and in doing so, add your group name to the Tree of Life listing donors on our web site (or remain anonymous, if preferred). Every gift matters, large or small, and you’d be surprised how many people feel good about being asked to help the cause. The Cherry Hill office can help you with attractive materials and phone support.
Reality	People are generous but want to contribute to a cause about which they feel strongly.
Myth	I shouldn't bother my friends for a donation.
Reality	People would rather be asked by someone they trust.
Myth	I shouldn't ask for donations when the economy is down.
Reality	Giving in the U.S. has historically risen nearly every single year on record.
Myth	I should be cautious and not ask for too much.
Reality	People appreciate your honesty about a realistic amount that you expect.
Myth	We can raise $100 by asking 10 people to give $10.
Reality	Each individual has different resources, different abilities to give, and different giving desires.  Each should be challenged to give to the best of their ability, and only to a cause they want to support.
Myth	I know someone rich; I'll ask her for $1 million!
Reality	People don't contribute to charities unless they believe in the cause and are asked to give by someone they trust and respect.	What could we do to raise money? 1. Simply ask each person in your group to make a personal gift. 2. Throw down the gauntlet! Have each member of your group compete to see how many other folks they can get a gift or pledge from. If you are part of a group, set up a competition among the covens or circles in the group. Be sure to celebrate the winners when next you gather as a group. 3. Use your imagination on events and parties, for example: --Drum marathon (take bets on who can hold out the longest --Body- or face-painting contest, followed by a bachelor/bachelorette auction --Serve a family-priced after-service meal to your UU congregation --Clean out your Pagan duds and hold a fantasy attic sale --Hold a craft party to make something for sale at a fall festival or other event --Throw a shindig! A dance party, an open mic night, a fall picnic in the woods or by the river, a Ren-night with mead and ale, or just grill out in the back yard 4. Put a donations box on your table if you are a vendor at a fall festival, or in your store, if you are a retailer. 5. Use the sample note in this kit to hand-write notes to your friends, asking them to support your favorite cause, Cherry Hill. 6. Send an email request – make it passionate! – to your regular listserves, and direct them to this link to make a donation. (They should write in the note space what group asked them to donate.) http://cherryhillseminary.org/support_onlinegiving.html 7. If you are raising funds for another purpose, add Cherry Hill to your drive, and designate a portion of funds raised to go to Cherry Hill.
Myth	I am volunteering my time instead of money.
Reality	Your volunteer time is priceless and appreciated.  But we can't ask others to do something we haven't yet done, ourselves.
Myth	I'm not very good talking to people about money.
Reality	No one wants to be asked by a slick performer.  They appreciate your friendship and will listen because you know each other.
Myth	I will feel terrible if my friend tells me no.
Reality	If someone tells you no, it has nothing to do with your relationship.  You've done your best by simply giving someone the opportunity to be part of something exciting.  It's okay if they say no; respect their decision and thank them for listening.
What kind of support is Cherry Hill going to give us? ∙ Toll-free phone access: 1-888-503-4131 ∙ Email: CHS@cherryhillseminary.org ∙ Online resources at: www.cherryhillseminary.org Someone is in the office nearly every day of the week for at least a little while. Turnaround on voice mails and emails ranges from a few minutes to about 24 hours, barring the unforeseen. We’ll cheer you on, listen to your troubles, and help you brainstorm. Better still, you and other groups can talk to each other and share ideas at the forum: www.cherryhillseminary.org/wordpress, select “Annual Appeal Resources.”

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