The Importance of Asking----

The Importance of Asking----

Tuesday, 05 October 2010 16:10

10. Religious beliefs

9. Guilt

8. Interest in the Mission

7. Recognition

6. Self-preservation or Fear

5. Tax Considerations

4. Obligation

3. Pride

2. Pressure

The Number One Reason: Someone asked

When you study the list of reasons, some of us may fall in line with one or more of the reasons cited by others. They are not all bad reasons for giving, in fact many are good and common sense reasons for giving. Some, on the other hand, are not very good reasons at all, and in my opinion, should not even be on the list of donors to a cause such as Eastern Christian School. Without a doubt, the reason that we receive the level of support we do at EC year after year is because "someone asked" . We, at Eastern Christian, are a strong confirmation of the number one reason for giving.

Asking for financial support is not an easy task for everyone. How often don't we hear that someone will do anything for a charity but don't ask me to ask for money? Every year when the EC Foundation Dept organizes a phonathon to seek financial support for the Annual Fund, we have a difficult time getting enough volunteers to be willing to call their fellow parents or grandparents to ask them for their financial commitment. Perhaps it is the fear of rejection or the fear that the potential donor will ask difficult questions, but what ever the reason, it is not an easy assignment for many people. Yet all of the research confirms that personal contact for a donation is the most productive and rewarding way to appeal for funds.

At Eastern Christian we agree with that research and make every effort to reach out to individual donors for their support for our various needs. While it is not feasible to personally contact every donor to Eastern Christian ( we have over 8000 people on our mailing list), we do try very hard to "reach out" to those whose response could be enhanced by the personal contact. The results of the giving patterns of our supporters for the past several years bear out the fact that a direct appeal produces better results.

We are currently in the middle of the Annual Scholarship Fund Drive which we hope will once again receive the support of our constituency at the levels of last year. Our challenge in the Foundation office is to raise a minimum of $ 1,250,000. from the Annual Scholarship Fund and the other fund raising events that we hold throughout the year.

It is a large amount to raise, but not impossible as we found out last year. With God's blessing, hard work, personal contacts and a presentation of the needs to others in a way that confirms that " those with more should help those with less", we are confident that we can achieve this goal in the 2010-2011 school year. If a representative of the school should call you during the next month to solicit your financial support, we encourage you to help as you are able so that Eastern Christian can continue it's 118 year tradition of providing quality and affordable Christian education.

Thank you sincerely for your financial and prayer support.