So you are expected to help your son or daughter raise money for their activity or sport and you think you’ll just send out one email to all your friends. Or maybe you will do one post on a social media site and expect everyone to contribute.  In order to be successful, raising money for a cause takes a little more thought and effort.

1. Personalize your message.  Think about how you as a parent might personalize the message, share some information about your child and their activity. Maybe there are friends or family members you should email, maybe some of them you want to text or maybe even call. Give it some individual thought before you start reaching out to friends and family.
2. What is the reason – clearly communicate. Put some thought into how to communicate the purpose of the fundraising initiative.  Share what the funds are going to be used for, or how this fundraising effort enables something new the team, band or choir can now accomplish. It may also be helpful to include some tidbit of information on what the mission/purpose of the activity is – i.e. fostering athletics, personal best, as well as good sportsmanship.
3. Targeted social media messaging. Don’t take a shot in the dark and blast something out on social media.  Not everyone you are connected to on social media cares about contributing to your cause. If you want to use social media, you will find you will get much better results sending individual messages to people you really are friends with and not to every individual you are connected to.
4. Make it Easy. Maybe your Aunt Mary doesn’t want to buy the candle or coffee mug your child’s chess club is selling, but maybe they want to contribute. Are you prepared to take a cash contribution or personal check? Does your fundraising partner offer a place to contribute online and just make a donation? Make sure you know these alternative ways to contribute to your cause as you may be asked more than you realize.
5. Remember Your Manners. Like your mother taught you, it really is important to say “please” and “thank you.” So make your ask or request respectful and make sure you acknowledge every gift/contribution no matter how small with an individual follow-up “thank you.”

And remember even when someone says “no,” still thank them for their time and/or attention listening to your request or reading your email or message.