Mission Driven Fundraising

Korrin B.

March 10, 2010 - 10:35 PM

This term I have been taking a class on Nonprofit Resource Development. I never thought that fundraising would ever sound even remotely appealing to me. However, I must say that the class did a good job of explaining the topic's importance and, in turn, sparking my interest.

I have learned many things from this class. We have discussed everything from direct mailings, capital campaigns, major donor fundraising, event planning, public relations, cultivating donor relationships, and so on. I never realized how many pieces there were to a development group for a nonprofit. One of the main things I learned though, which I think is very important, is the knowledge that no matter what you do, you will be involved in fundraising somehow. As a part of the nonprofit sector, it takes everyone in an organization being involved to make a truly successful fundraising effort. So, if you sign up for programming, you're going to end up doing some fundraising. However, this class did such a good job of tearing down that initial wall of "Oh, please! Not...dun, dun, dun...FUNDRASING!" that I don't think I will continue to live in dread when the topic is brought up.

The main point for me that made fundraising not so bad was the fact that supposedly, you are doing it for a cause that you truly believe in. If you are honestly invested in the mission of your organization, then you are able to see why the fundraising is so important. It becomes less of a droning task and more of an exciting journey to advance the guiding principles and vision of your organization.

I experienced a moment of this feeling when I was in class this evening. This term, I am interning with Project Homeless Connect of Lane County. I am in charge of securing in-kind donations for the event, including clothing, sleeping bags, backpacks, hygiene items, and more, to be given out to our homeless guests at the event. Last week, I explained the event to my Nonprofit Resource Development class and asked them to bring in any donations they could to the following week's class. I sent out an email reminder yesterday. I didn't really expect to get much out of it, but it was worth a shot. In fact, I didn't really expect to get anything out of it. These are a bunch of broke, busy college students who don't want to have to think about bringing that extra jacket to give to that girl in class.

However, two different students approached me at the beginning of class tonight with donations. One brought a backpack full of jackets and the other brought a couple long-sleeved shirts and a bunch of new toothbrushes. After having expected nothing and then having received something, I was incredibly humbled. It gave me such a warm, fuzzy, happy feeling inside to have received donations. Why? Because I am working for a cause that I truly, honestly believe in. In that moment I was best able to see that I was not just collecting items, but I was advancing the mission of an incredible event.

I want to thank the students who were so kind to bring in their donations tonight. Also, if you, my fabulous reader, would like to help advance the mission of this inspiring event, please feel free to drop off any in-kind donations to any St. Vincent de Paul store throughout Lane County. There are also currently donation bins located on the University of Oregon campus in the Women's Center and the Holden Leadership Center that will be there until Tuesday, March 16. Please visit the Project Homeless Connect website for more information on making a donation or volunteering.