The Gifts of Fundraising

I found this amazing quote from Khalil Gibran (below) which speaks to many of the things I have found during my fundraising.

Over the last six months I have managed to raise over $5000 for United Planet (www.unitedplanet.org) This was in support of my volunteer projects. What I found was that this in itself was a journey.

At first I was struggling with the fundraising. A few people donated off the bat mostly in support of me and what I'm doing. I sent emails and posted on my yahoo groups and presumptuously expected people to be as excited and enrolled in my quest as I was. This was not the case. I was very angry about people not jumping at my request. I sat with this for a few weeks and decided that my anger was first of all not justified and secondly how could they be enrolled if they didn't know the heart behind my mission? From this I created a website that outlined the basics, (why, when, how, where etc..) Made things a bit more personal and enrolled a few more people, but still not to the level I had hoped.

I thought the next best thing would be to create a huge fundraising event and bridge the gap between people here and the people I wanted to help. This became a huge endeavor of which I didn't have the energy or time to create. Bringing me to my next idea, offering a discounted massage to many people in exchange for contributions. I knew this would bring some donations since I was a successful massage therapist in the past. What I didn't know was the breakthrough I would have.

I worked on my first client in exchange for a donation a week later. Fifteen minutes into the massage I was moved and almost brought to tears as I realized that I was giving by nurturing him to give to me so I can in turn give to many others. It came full circle. It really wasn't about me. It wasn't about me reaching my goal. It was about being an instrument. My intention was to give back to help those in challenging situations around the world. Through this intention a way was made for me to give back, a way greater than I could have imagined; giving to receive to give. I stood over the massage client and found myself in the center of giving and receiving. It was all happening simultaneously. I was able to see first hand how giving and receiving are indeed different sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other.

Once I had this breakthrough the rest of the fundraising was easier. I got out of the way and allowed the money to come in. Through my massage work and emails I stepped closer and closer to the goal.

The final breakthrough came in my last email. In it I did two things. One I was very grateful for the amount that I had raised (about $2800 at that point) I was very clear as to what still needed to be raised and the deadline to meeting this goal was defined. Within 24hrs I had over 30 responses to this email and over $2000 in contributions. I was amazed.

It came down to three things: Gratitude, Clarity and Surrender. I remember being happy with the amount I had raised up to that point. Although I wanted to meet the goal I was truly grateful for the contributions I had gotten. Then I was very clear. This is what I need to do and this is when I need it. And finally I hit send. It wasn’t a send and in the back of my mind hoping that I’ll raise money. It was a send and this is it. I did all that I can do. I’m done regardless of what comes out of this, I surrendered. I suppose you could say I asked, let go of my ego, got the hell out of the way and the universe raced in with a huge reply. Granted that’s the metaphysical aspect. The physical manifestation was the support of many loving friends and family.

I look now over the entries in my fundraising page and am inspired at how powerful we can be when we join together. Each person gave with a loving intention to help, to give back, to support creating the result of over $5000 raised for what I believe to be a good cause. In support of an organization with the intention to bring the world closer together, to help us embrace our differences instead of fight about them. To ultimately bring more love to a world that has in the past been blinded by anger, fear, and greed. We are changing that by focusing on the love lies beneath and bringing it to the surface through our service and giving.

Thank you everyone who has been supportive (not only financially) as I embark upon my journey. Each one of you has touched me deeply and given me the courage to keep going despite my perceived obstacles and fears. THANK YOU….

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KHALIL GIBRAN QUOTE:

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow? And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full thirst that is unquenchable?

There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is there baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding. And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.

And is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given; therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving." The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.

Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you. And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream. And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, or receiving?

And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?

See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving. For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; For to be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the freehearted earth for mother, and God for father.
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