Finding a Cure Through Fundraising
Today’s post is a guest post by Heidi Sorenson. It fits in well with our recent discussion of finding time to work at home, where some parents have had to look at how to work from home while looking after a sick child. Heidi takes it one step further . . . fundraising from home.
Some moms are lucky enough to choose to work at home simply because it’s more convenient, they want to spend more time with their kids, or they want to start their own business. Some moms are thrust into working from home because their child is born with, or contracts a serious disease or condition that requires constant care. As much as you may want to support the organization that advocates finding a cure, or raising awareness if there is no cure, for the condition your child has, it may be difficult to find the time to participate in a walkathon or any type of event that takes you away from home, from your child, and from your work. This doesn’t mean you can’t embark on a fundraising project of your own that will fit into your busy schedule.
Use Your Online Social Network
Working from home means you don’t have coworkers to bounce ideas off of, to get inspiration from, or just to socialize with. If you’re like most work-at-home moms, you’ve found a virtual coworker network online. Whether through a social networking site like Facebook or Twitter, a discussion forum on a site specific to your line of work or personal interest, or just commenting on a blog for Web workers, you communicate daily with dozens, perhaps hundreds, or even thousands of people. Don’t be shy about sharing what you’re going through, and ask for your network’s support. Direct them to the advocate organization’s Web site where they can either make donations directly, or get involved in some other way. At the very least, you’re raising awareness and educating others about your child’s condition.
Speaking of Facebook, if you’re a regular user, you may have seen they have a feature called Causes. You’ll find everything from common health issues like Diabetes, to more obscure conditions listed. There is some overlap for some of them, so do a little reading and choose one that was started by, or legitimately supports the advocate organization you’re interested in. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, check the site’s policies on starting a cause page. Then use your Facebook profile to promote your cause, and ask your network of friends to join that cause, and donate if they’re able. This has a domino effect because whenever someone joins a cause, it’s displayed on their profile, and in the newsfeed all their friends see, which may lead to some of them joining, which all their friends will see, and so on. The Causes application also tracks your impact by showing you how many people you’ve recruited directly, and how many people your recruits have brought on, so there’s an immediate sense of accomplishment in getting people involved and promoting awareness.
Raise Money From Home
Many fundraising events would require that you give up several hours, or even a few days of your time. It’s all for a good cause, sure. But it can be difficult to find the time between caring for your child and keeping up with work. A perfect at-home project is a cookbook fundraiser. First, find a cookbook fundraising company that has a simple process and low publishing costs. Then, use your social network again to collect recipes of all types. Dig into your personal recipe books, and ask your family members to contribute as well. When you have all the recipes collected, you submit them to the fundraising company, and they take care of publishing the cookbooks.
To save even more time, some cookbook fundraising companies offer pre-made cookbooks, and you just customize the cover. You can use a photo of your child or your family, or an illustration, if you prefer. If you’re not artistically inclined, ask someone in your network if they would mind donating some of their work for the cover. You can then pass the proceeds from the sale of your cookbook on to the advocate organization. The best part is, all of this can be done online, through social networking sites, discussion boards, and e-mail.
You don’t have to run a 10K or go door to door soliciting donations to support finding a cure or treatment for your child’s illness. But you also don’t have to feel guilty for not helping at all. Just a few minutes out of every day is enough to offer your support, and get others involved, and you don’t even have to leave home to do it.
Heidi Sorenson is a freelance writer covering many topics on sites all over the Web. She is a regular contributer to FundraiserInsight.org.
I think thats a really good cause and worthwhile to help people in need. Nice article.
Wow, great post, Heidi!
I never thought of raising money this way. Recipes and cookbooks are definitely something that people will spend money on too, not to mention the good cause. I think this way be a great way to raise money for my daughter’s soccer team jerseys, as well. We’ve been looking for a way to do this. The best thing is that I about 500 friends on my facebook. That whole social networking thing can help out in a lot of areas, not just fundraising.
Facebook is a great event and fundraiser promoter. I put a link to my Breast Cancer Golf Invite on there to everyone. The best I have seen it used was my friend’s 6 year old daughter has diabetes. She has to have insulin injections or a pouch on at all times everyday of her life. Well he made a video of her and sent it to all of his friends to help raise money for Juvenile Diabetes. Last year online he raised $21,000 for the team. I really hope people are inspired to take action even if it is just a link to the website where every click can give a free mammogram to a person.