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Fundraising Frustrations - warning ranting
Okay, I have already posted that I am not a big fan of fundraising. I hate asking people for money, even when it is a good cause.
But I really wanted to support my children in their 4-H endeavor to raise money to send items to soldiers in Iraq. I think this is one of the most worthy of causes. Normally, I would just put the money in and we would buy the items ourselves, but with Daniel out of work, that is an impossibility for us this year. So I decided to ask local businesses. We live about 10 minutes from a small business complex. We have a doctor, a hair dresser, a convenience store, an auto repair shop, a propane center, and a gas fireplace business.
Three of the businesses are under the same business umbrella, but an employee said that they all had their own accounts and I should ask each of them. So here's what we did. Got the kids all dressed up, helped Jack come up with a script and off we went. Well, it is about a 10 minute drive from my house in a direction that I don't usually go unless I am goint to one of those businesses. So there is an out of the way aspect and gas usage involved here.
We arrive, and the kids make their 'pitch'. Only the hair dresser/owner is able to help us out on our first trip (she donated $20) as the owners of the other businesses are present when we arrive. We are told early morning (8 am) is the best time to catch them. So on the following Monday, we get up early and head back up there. The first business owner (and the main guy over all) says he will support us, but he needs a 501 number. I am a bit frustrated that this wasn't provided on the 4-H letter we were given, but it's not that big of a deal. I go around to the other businesses to touch base and tell them i will get the number and come back on Friday as we have a deadline approaching for getting these items together.
So today, out we go. I present the first owner with the number and the name to put on the check and I am handed a check for $10.00. This was definitely less than I was hoping for considering his business success and the cause we were raising money for. So then I went to the next business and was informed that while they are each separate businesses, they have a rule not to give if the other one does. HUH? This is the first I am hearing about this. I have walked into this place of business two other times and they knew I was asking at each business and no one mentioned this. I was even encouraged to ask at each business.
So then I go upstairs to the other business (the convenience store had already declined). I got turned down there as well. Feeling pretty frustrated, I headed to the doctor's office. They had promised supplies to send and I told them I would be there on Friday to pick them up. I arrived and was told the office manager wasn't there and while she had mentioned it to the other staff, she hadn't told them what was being donated. We have had a busy week in our county with MRSA and the doctors are swamped. I am sure this was the last thing on her mind, but it sure didn't make me feel any better at the time.
So I have spent about $10-$15 in gasoline on these three trips and 1 1/2 - 2 hours of my time with very frustrating results.We were able to get $30 in donations. I guess I should be proud, I did better than I did on my two yard sales combined. But I am definitely reminded as to why I dislike fundraising.
