School Fundraising: Charity Undefined

Since journeying to India at the end of March, I have discovered ten-fold just how important our fundraising efforts can be. Walking into schools and hospitals as white women designated my mother and I "fundraising diplomats" for Kerala, India. It didn't matter if we were higher-ups or doctors, what we had in America were resources--and charity.

I spoke with my friend Diana yesterday about the differences between our cultures. She is from Bangalore, South India. She told me that one of her favorite things about our culture here is that people are so willing to give of what they have. "In my country, the rich have to be the richest; they cannot afford to give any of it up because it is a contest," she said.

I experienced only the highest charity when I was in India. I never asked for money, but I was given 100% love, so her statement surprised me. My concentration wasn't on India, though--it was on America. People really are willing to give. Fundraising of all types is how so many large ventures are accomplished here. If people weren't willing to give of their resources, we would not see many advancements that we are fortunate enough to witness.

School fundraising truly focuses on the heart of the fundraiser and the heart of the consumer. Your child may have the opportunity to fundraise for the first time this year. Being aware of the charity behind the gift and recognizing the customer for that charity can be a great way to show appreciation. One day you our your child may be a fundraising diplomat for a school organization, a nonprofit job, or even another country. It is easy to expect generosity in the monetary form; it is wise to expect generosity in the charitable form.