Fundraising 101
Photo courtesy of Brent Huot
Hello and thank you for taking time to check out my blog post! My name is Brent Huot, and I am currently the finance chair for OttoTHON. As finance chair, I assist the executive board in making decisions and setting goals by providing financial data and information from past events.
In the midst of a global pandemic, I know right now isn’t necessarily the easiest time to ask for donations given everything on in the world; however, I hope by reading this blog post you are able to gather a few more ideas on how you’re able to approach fundraising money for the kids.
Who are you fundraising for?
Whenever you reach out to somebody asking for a donation to OttoTHON, always make sure you explain to them what OttoTHON is. Providing details about OttoTHON and the amazing benefits it provides families and patients at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital is a much better approach than sending somebody a Venmo request with no context or reaching out to somebody and just asking them to donate money to “charity”.
What are you fundraising for?
Similar to the previous tip, consider including what the money will help support. For example, in 2019 the money OttoTHON was able to raise went towards building the Golisano Center for Special Needs, which will provide care for kids with physical and developmental disabilities. If you don’t know where the money is going, that’s okay too! As a rule of thumb though, always try and provide information about OttoTHON when asking for people to donate money.
When are you fundraising?
Even though OttoTHON’s main event doesn’t take place until November, it is encouraged to try to fundraise throughout the spring and summer, all the way through the end of the fall event. Since its start in 2015, the total amount OttoTHON has fundraised during the spring/summer has increased almost every single year. Again, I know the current circumstances in which we are fundraising are a lot different this summer compared to years past, but it’s important that everyone continues to do their best, which I commend everyone for doing so far.
Why are you fundraising money?
Why you’re fundraising money is important for a few different reasons. Everybody’s “why” (each dancer’s personal “why” is what motivates them to dance and fundraise FTK) is unique to that individual. For myself, my “why” is my cousin Carly, who recently won her battle with cancer. Seeing what Carly and her family went through after her initial diagnosis was eye opening to me, and I realized how many patients and families need the help and treatment my cousin was so fortunate to receive. Additionally, your “why” is what should keep you going at the end of the day. No matter my mood, the time of day, or the situation I’m in, reminding myself of my “why” always ignites a light within me, and motivates me to keep doing work and fundraising for the kids.
In Summary
Overall, it’s important to know what you’re fundraising for, and equally important to be able to explain to others what you’re fundraising for and why you’re fundraising. Everyone’s approach to this might look a little different, and that’s okay. Although how everyone fundraises might not be exactly the same, at the end of today we all have one common goal, which is making the world a better place for the kids.