I was recently exhibiting at the National Association of College Activities (NACA), pitching my Grounded keynote to student activities committees from colleges and universities from the Southeastern U.S. One of the activities that occurred during the conference was a fundraiser for a foundation that supplies scholarships for future NACA events. There were multiple appeals to the students throughout the conference to donate to the foundation, and students who contributed were given a purple ribbon for their name tag to signify that they had supported the foundation.
During the last session with exhibitors, a group of students came through the exhibit hall soliciting donations from the vendors. When this group came to my booth, I listened to their appeal as they explained the good works the foundation supports. I had pulled two twenty-dollar bills out of my pocket when the student leading the foundation appeal said, “No, sir, the donation is only a dollar.”
I looked at him and said, “You only want one dollar?”
“That’s right,” he replied. So I put my twenties back in my pocket, pulled out one dollar, and gave it to him. He gave me my purple ribbon, thanked me, and moved on to the next booth.
Hmmm. You are raising money for the foundation. The more money you raise, the more good works you can do. You are in the exhibit area where there are vendors willing to donate well beyond the minimum, yet you discourage receiving the higher donation? I really don’t get it. Maybe this student had heard that one dollar was the donation as opposed to the minimum donation. Maybe he was following specific instructions he had been given. I believe he was inexperienced in asking for donations and perhaps was embarrassed about asking for money. It does take a deft delivery and unapologetic appeal.
If you are raising money, though, don’t assume you can’t raise more than you could possibly imagine if you are bold enough to ask. Ask high and then be very, very appreciative of any donation you receive. Be courageous in the asking and humbly accept what you receive with thanks.