asking people to contribute to fundraisers

hereonceagain · September 2011

I know many people hate to be asked to contribute to school fundraisers. Well now my LO is having a jogathon and they are asking for contributions. Coworkers ask me all the time to contribute to their kids fundraisers but usually I get something out of it, like I buy a raffle ticket with a chance to win something, or I buy gift wrap, etc. With my LO's fundraiser, people wouldn't get anything. They'd simply give. Who do you guys ask in situations like this? I am even feeling weird asking my own mother. My husband and I will both contribute seperately but should I give in and ask anyone else or just have hubby and I do it?

n&bcarlson · September 2011

For this type, I'd be okay asking family, but probably not coworkers. It's easier to ask coworkers to participate when it's something like you said- raffle tickets or cookies or something. For family, maybe just send an email to whoever is close enough to you that you see them regularly, then let them participate or not. If it's just a few dollars, I'm sure most grandparents, aunts, and uncles would be fine giving a donation with nothing in return.

CD+AL · September 2011

I don't like fundraisers either. I always feel weird about asking people to buy over-priced junk, but I suppose it's the nature of the beast now that DCs are starting school. Ugh! I suppose they are necessary though, and I'm sure ours will be even worse b/c DS is going to a private school with a very active endowment fund, which requires constant fundraising.

KathrynMD · September 2011

Can you tell what the fundraiser is for? I'm ok w/ contributing to something if I know what it is. I don't like just dropping money somewhere though for someone else to spend.

babyAutumn · September 2011

For this type of fundraiser, I would only ask family. Last year, we held a readathon but the money was being put towards new playground equipment. If the school has shared the goal for the fundraiser that you could share with family members than it will probably make it less awkward. I also made DD ask for the donations herself while explaining why she was helping the school raise the funds. She was 5 yo at the time.

MirandaHobbes · September 2011

I'd do family only. I recently had the same thing- just a donation, no "stuff" attached. I don't think it's appropriate in my office, although my husband, who is in a large corporate office, had no problem asking. I like how parents do their donations in our office- if it's for stuff they just put the bulletin or order form in break room without explanation. That way if people are interested- fine, if not, fine.

franciscaz · September 2011

We do March of Dimes now b/c of the twins. We simply email everyone and post on our blog. We don't bug, we just let them know we are doing it and why it is really important to our family. I've been surprised how generous everyone has been. I wouldn't solicit face to face on something like that.

jlw2505 · September 2011

Honestly, I never think it is OK to ask a co-worker but that is just me. The policy at my office is that you can't solitice period. I know some co-workers will post the flyer in their cube and if anyone walks by and asks about it then fine but they can't ask people to contribute. I would skip work people and send out an email to your family and just leave it at that.

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