Fundraising
Since marrying in 2008 Yulia and I have directly contributed to events which have raised over $1 million for NZ charities. We're doing an event this weekend which has already raised $7000 and will probably have raised between $200,000 and $300,000 for NZ charities in 2010. We achieve this by connecting charities with both the general public and with philanthropists. We use the power of music to convey the emotion surrounding the issues relating to each charity. At the height of emotion people can be compelled to change.
I would comment that fundraising requires a lot of patience and respect. It's all about building relationships and being organised for success. There are always people out there who want to give. However they want to give to people they can trust to be good stewards. So I would argue that trust is the single most important factor. If a charity inspires trust and demonstrates integrity, responsibility and fosters great relationships it will probably do well.
On one occasion Yulia was invited to make an appearance as an inspirational speaker, singer and model for a Cholmondeley Children's Home fundraising event. After Yulia spoke about her time in Russia one gentleman was so inspired that he offered to bequeath $500,000 from his estate to the charity.
I had this vision for a web site called www.give.co.nz (which I haven't done anything with - it was just a vision - by the way I don't own the domain called www.give.co.nz which is for sale - that's just a coincidence.) for a web site that could connect those who want to give with those who need to receive. If the NZ Govt can set up a screening/vetting process along with a site like this, it could very well 'match make' a fit of the values of givers with receivers.
I hope we can continue to give to NZs underpriviliged and I'd love to be able to support more charities. Wishing you God speed.
Comments
Thank you. Its so cool that you guys have just got out there and got on with it. I'd love to hear more stories like this.
The idea of making connections and raising money through a 'connections' internet site is a good one. There's certainly activity out there that I know about through my own use, JustGiving, which is the UK-based one Milly used for her marathon and Oxfam. And here we've several, like Fundraisingonline and Givealittle, both of whom have arts users. There's interesting stuff happening on the advocacy side too, like www.issues.co.nz.
But there's also the choice of using your own site. What's people's experience of these and other sites, and the various approaches you can take? I'd love to hear.