Friend-raising

We are in the season of fundraising for our schools.  We have come through successful peach-peeling, apple pie-making, a golf tournament... we are in the midst of our annual fall drive and are about to launch into our Family Fun Fest.

In the non-profit world of development, some of this activity is often referred to as 'Friend-Raising'.  Definitions vary wildly around this made-up word, but it is a concept I've grown to love as it refers to some of our efforts here at NACE.  Developing friends and relationships with people who love our schools and want to see them thrive is the central tenet of this activity, and with acknowledgement to the writers atwww.101fundraising.org, I give you the following thoughts around our activity this year:

• F - Fun. Fundraising can be fun.  Connecting new people to NACE and building friendships as we work together are added benefits to the funds generated by our activity.
  
• R - Relationship.  By running similar events year after year, we grow relationships with people willing to give a second, third, fourth time, and actually expect and look forward to our call for assistance.
  
• I - Innovation.  New people coming on board help us to see how we've done things and how to improve them.  Our fundraising is constantly changing to adapt to what people need, want, and how to connect even more people to the cause of Christian Education.
  
• E - Everyone.  In an organisation like NACE, there is a chance for 100% involvement in fundraising.  If not with one event, then another, or a few!
  
• N - Network.  Each of us is involved in multiple organisations.  By getting together, we see each other in other venues and can carry the vision of NACE beyond our own small community.  Many relationships have been forged long term due to the networks you are connected to!
  
• D - Dialogue.  As we meet together over activities and fundraising, and carrying forward our mission as a school society, we get to know one another and get to appreciate our commonalities.  We get to know our support community and why they love NACE.  This dialogue is important to keep our friendships alive and flourishing.
  

As you involve yourself in our fundraising, challenge yourself to make new friends - with donors, with supporters, with others in the NACE community.  That new person you meet is NACE's next long-term friendship in the making!