Why Would Someone Want to Ask for Money?!

When you tell people you fundraise for a living you typically get one of two reactions. The first is a look of pity and “Oh that must be a tough job having to ask people for money.” The second typical response is for someone to hide their wallet.

Frankly, fundraising can be quite pleasurable; it is the wonderful method of connecting a donor’s passion with a program that suits their interest; it is finding the support a program needs so that lives can be changed. Personally, I find fundraising to be worthwhile and rewarding.

A tough economy makes people financially tighten their belts and rightfully so. But, at the Foundation of CVPH, over the past few years, we have been fortunate to see our donations grow, even if only slightly. Perhaps this is because people find value in what they are supporting or because they have received good care at CVPH. In any case, our donors appreciate the fact that their money is staying local and improving health and wellness throughout the North Country.

When you find folks who have a passion for something, whether it’s healthcare or art, education or faith, asking for their support is easy because they want to help. In fact, every year we have over 50 community volunteers who give their time to help us ask for donations. They are not only making their own contributions but asking their friends and neighbors to join them and doing that on their own valuable time – now that is passion!

So yes, I am a fundraiser, a “professional fundraiser” at that. It’s not easy work and I’ve learned to deal with rejection without taking it personally. As our volunteer fundraisers and I know, it is rewarding knowing that the dollars we attract will be put to a variety of worthwhile uses, some of which may literally end up saving the life of a fellow North Country resident. That’s what keeps me going.

Kerry Haley
Executive Director
Foundation of CVPH Medical Center
August 2, 2012