sunshine1

Why is it that when you even mention the word "fundraiser" people run? I have only been doing this since Feb and boy oh boy what an experience. I like to read what other people are doing and especially if it is cycling related. Can't even begin to tell you how much the subject or me is avoided instead of hey, how's your thing going? I have never asked directly any of my friends and yet it is so taboo. When and if I talk about it I am looking for support that I am doing the right thing and all the work and stress is worth it. I don't push myself on anyone (while some may want that) but I don't. I realize that it may make people uncomfortable for they may not support whatever the cause but come on now. I am at my wits end people and about ready to give up. Truly I am. While I believe in the LAF and its support for the cancer community just not sure if it is worth this anymore.

Does anyone else run into these frustrations? Is there a reason to continue this in what seems to be an unrewarding experience for not me, but the LAF? Help, I need encouragement! Is there an encouragment thread here?

Thanks for reading!

P

tulip

I don't like to contribute to my friends Race For Whatevers. I choose my own organizations that I support. In my opinion, the Race For Whatevers result in alot of expenses and little money for the actual organizations. I appreciate that these Race For Whatevers get people motivated to exercise, but I do kindof resent the assumption that I should pay for their newfound project.

I have a very good friend who is very enthusiastic about a particular Race for Whatever. She does not talk about it face-to-face, but she does send out a very nice, thoughtful letter explaining her reasons for doing the Race For. She includes stories about people she knows with the particular ailment that she's riding or running for. It's a nice way to do it, I think, because she does not pressure me into supporting her cause. However, I still don't contribute to her Race For.

I prefer to support local organizations directly, and I do. If I want to do a century, I do a century, but I don't ask my family, friends, and acquaintances to support my century.

EDIT: I don't mean to discourage you, but I think it's helpful to know why people may be reluctant to contribute. Best of luck in your endeavors!

sunshine1

Thanks for your thoughtful response Velogirl! I really need to hear things like this. I am happy to hear you support Race whatever or don't support Race whatever. Its a very personal decision and this is a true eye opening experience for me. Not quite like selling the Girl Scout cookies I used to do.

Anyway, I do know that ALOT of people dont care for Lance Armstrong for personal reasons and his decisions whatever they may be affect perception. What I do know is that the name and his org does a lot for the cancer community so as a cyclist and cancer has affected 2 members of my family it is a fundraiser I can believe in.

I am glad that you took the time to respond and good luck to you in all your centuries! I have yet to do one but am hoping for my 1st at TOMRV in Iowa in June! Can't wait to celebrate that accomplishment. I am like you in some respects that when I enter a fundraising event I consider my entry fee my donation. This experience I am doing is all new to me so thanks again! Livestrong!

P

CastIron

Precisely!
Sell me the merchandise or just take a contribution with virtually all going to the cause du jour. Seems most of these things only end up putting about 10% of the gross into the original purpose.

supcom

People don't want to talk about your fundraiser because they aren't comitted to the cause like you are and they don't want to get hit up for money.

We all get hit up for fundraisers by people who are taking advantage of our family, friendship, or coworker relationships. Many people have a hard time saying no even though they do not care to contribute because it creates an awkward situation. Although you may not feel like you are pushing your cause onto your acquaintences, any discussion of the fundraising effort will seem like a plea for money be others.

Many people may also feel like you are asking them to pay so you can have the benefits. While this may not be the case, have you considered just paying the minimum required fundraising fee so you don't have the stress of raising the money? Since you feel strongly about the cause, you'll be putting your money toward something you believe in as opposed to asking others to do so for you.

If you are trying to raise large sums of money for your cause (much more than you can afford to give), you might want to reevaluate whether you are getting a fair return for your investment of time. In other words, how much effort would you expend toward this cause if there was no bike ride for you? Anything above that is what you are paying for the bike ride itself. Is that effort consistant with the value of the ride?

Machka 

A few thoughts .....

1) While you are busy fundraising for your cause, half your coworkers/friends/family/acquaintences, etc. are also doing the same thing for their causes.

One particular year at a place I used to work, this became a real problem!! Every week, sometimes several times a week, another coworker came through the office with some sort of fundraising thing .... cancer, diabetes, their kid's band or sports team, etc. etc. etc. The going rate for each of these was a $5-10 donation. I was one of the lowest paid employees in that office, and it didn't take long for me to realize I was shelling out a heap of money for all the things which employees, making twice what I was making, were pushing. I quit donating.

Something must have been said, because after that year there was only one form of fundraising ... selling chocolates. The seller would set a box of chocolates on the front desk with a note indicating their price and what the money from the sale of the chocolates were going for. No pressure ... but at least we felt like we were getting something for our money ... a yummy chocolate bar!


2) These days I do not give money to any organization unless the person who is fundraising is willing to give me the website, brochures, and all the paperwork to tell me what it is for, where the money is going, etc. It's interesting ... I've had phone calls where someone has wanted me to send money to some cause or another, but when I've asked for paperwork and additional information, they've refused to send me any information ... they just wanted me to tell them my credit card number or send a cheque. Nope. Sorry.


3) I did the MS150 ride one year and did fundraising for that. I raised a little bit more than the minimum, but fundraising is not my thing ... I feel like I'm begging. So, unfortunately, I've never done a MS150 ride since. And I've heard they raised the minimum fundraising limit. If they had lowered it to about half what it was, I might ride more of them because I could either just pay the minimum myself, or do a limited fundraising endeavor. And I know there are quite a number of other people who feel the same way.

4) Time limits - it's one thing if you make a fundraising run through the office for an event that is going to take place within a few weeks or month. People feel like there will be an end to the constant mental pressure and guilt that they should be giving, or giving more. (Not saying you are imposing mental pressure and guilt - but people just feel pressured and guilty when they know that someone with a fundraising project is present). But you've mentioned that you have only been doing this since Feb ... that's 4 months!! That's a long time!! When is the event you are raising the money for?

CTAC

Your goverment is spending over a billion a day on killing people. Maybe if you spend your time on getting some of this money for your goals you'd double the benefits. I does not make any sense to me to donate on cancer researches when goverment is cutting expenses there. I'd feel that I'm spending my money on killing other human beings.

Guest

I don't think people are not donating to your cause just because it's Lance Armstrong. If that were so, then all other people doing all other charities would be rolling in dough, while the LAF would be languishing. As it stands, I think a lot of charities don't do well. Probably in part because people just don't make a lot of money these days- money can be tight, and then you're asking them to give to a cause that you may be interested in, but they don't really have much concern. Even if they do have concern, why should they donate just because you want some money? And what's to say they haven't been hit up by 15 other folks doing the very same ride? I get at least 5 emails every summer from different people asking me to contribute for the MS150. I can't afford to give to all those people. Plus, I might want to do a charity ride. If so, then I'll want my money for my own charity. Plus, I'll have to hit up other people too, and I'm sure the people I contact will have probably been hit up for money too.

But anyway, besides that, nothing says that one person has to give you money just because you feel excited about a cause. It's up to you to get people as excited as you, and if you can't do that, then don't expect them to come up out of their pockets.

But good luck to you.

Koffee

Guest

Your logic is screwy:

The government takes money from cancer research to fund wars.

The OP is trying to raise money for cancer research.

If you contribute, you are killing people.

*shaking head*

Perhaps it would be better for you to take some courses in critical thinking and logic before coming up with some lame excuse why you're too cheap to help a good cause. *hold hands up* Hey... I'm just making an observation...

Koffee

Jerseysbest

Ah, European logic at its finest...

!!Comatoa$ted

Maybe the people you associate with feel that if they ask about your fund-raising, and do not wish to, or have not donated to it, will feel guilty because they in some way are letting you down. Since they are your friends and care about you they do not wish to perceive themselves in a way that would contradict that image.

It is commendable that you are willing to donate your time and effort to help other people, but maybe you are feeling a slight burn out from your efforts, and need to pull back and spend a bit more time on yourself. Also if you find your attitude turning to the negative side when it was once positive, you may have to look at your own intentions.

Guest

Another thing you may want to consider is approaching local businesses. Tell them you're doing a high profile charity ride, and that you're looking for a few sponsors to put on your jersey. I bet you'll have that money raised with 2 or 3 local businesses behind you. Then you don't have to go around begging and pleading with friends and family.

Koffee

stapfam

We have a thing over here called sponsorship fatigue. So many people are out there wanting sponsorship for their little 8 year old to walk 2 miles for the local mums in need concern. ( sorry about that ladies but that was the last one I was asked for) I do sponsor my friends for a nominal amount if they are doing it for a worthwhile concern, but I do get fed up with the number I am being asked to donate to for people that I do not even know.
There are certain Trusts, and charities that I do donate to but It has to be a good one. Even some of those are getting greedy. I used to do a ride for a big mentally handicapped school in London- Good ride and I enjoyed it but I donated to that cause out of my pocket and did not ask my friends. That charity is now asking for $300 minimum Sponsorship- I no longer do the ride so they have lost out on my $50.

Then again, I have just done a big ride for the Heart Foundation and I did not seek sponsorship from my workmates. I have the same problem as you. This is a ride I enjoy so once again they will get a personal donation from me.

If you want to get a good amount of sponsorship- Plug away at everyone- Family- friends- workmates and hit them time and time again till they cough up. Then leave them alone till next year.