[nfb-talk] Question of Philosophy- fund raising

[Steve Jacobson]

Robert,

The objections I have heard regarding our philosophy and fundraising is that some forms of fundraising are close to the stereotype of the blind begging.  If 
this is what you are encountering, it is not easy to say that asking for donations is different than begging except that the receiver is a legitimate nonprofit 
organization.  At least in my mind, if it is clear that it is going to an organization and not to an individual, if you are sometimes selling donated goods, and if 
you are also supplying information, this makes it pretty clear to the public that this is a fundraiser.  In the past here in Minnesota, we used to have what were 
called white cane drives.  This involved one person on a street corner with a labeled container to receive donations.  For many of us who were young at the 
time, this was way too close to the beggar image, and although it was a moderately successful fundraiser, we discontinued it.  However, I remember Dr. 
Jernigan saying something to the effect that a philosophy and the work we have to do needs financial support to succeed.  I remember he said he would 
have no qualms about begging if it meant the survival and expansion of our organization.  Even so, he did make attempts to make our mail appeals more 
positive than were some of our early mail appeals, and our public service announcements that were created in the 1980's were positive as well.

I think it is good for us to think about the image we project when we are raising money.  In my mind, we don't want to raise money to create a better image of 
blindness only to have it dammaged by the very process of raising that money.  Still, one has to accept the fact that any nonprofit seeking donations is 
asking the public to donate without getting a complete return on their donation.  What you describe seems to me to be a pretty common type of fundraising 
and is not at all unique to blind persons.  I just don't see any real conflict with our philosophy in it but would be interested to here more about the objections.  
If the people working at the tables project a positive image by looking good and being articulate, the public is smart enough to know the difference.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:38:28 -0500, Robert Leslie Newman wrote:

>I have a question of NFB philosophy. I bring it to this list because I know
>and want you all to give it to me straight from the philosophical shoulder.

> 

>Here is the situation: There is a debate upon the acceptability of the
>following method of fund raising. There are some in my local chapter, in the
>affiliate in my state, in the division where I am the President, who feel
>that the below method of solicitation donations is not philosophically
>acceptable under NFB philosophy; some of the membership feel that the way it
>is being handled is acceptable. Do read the description I present and give
>us your feelings. 

> 

> 

>I am part of the Omaha chapter and for years I have participated in the
>Wal-Mart "Meet and greet." And note the title that we've given it, "Meet and
>Greet." 

> 

>Allow me to set the scene- It is 10:00 AM, we have two six foot tables
>setup: one is outside the doors from the grocery store entrance and the
>other outside the general merchandise entrance. There is a large banner
>stretched across the full length of the front of the table, running just
>below the table-top, from the legs on the right hand side, to those on the
>left. The Banner is in the NFB colors of dark blue letters on a white
>background- it reads "National Federation of the Blind, Omaha chapter." The
>chapter members manning the table are also wearing NFB labeled clothing.

> 

>On the table-top, There are stacks of a variety of NFB literature , a large
>donation jar, a slate and stylist for taking notes, someone's long white
>cane lying the full length of the table and a bill-identifier (we will
>demonstrate and even give change). Then yes, we will have some item to sell
>to the potential donator; the item having been donated or purchased at a low
>price, in order that we do monetarily gain from the transaction. (You know
>how this must go; this is a fund raiser, as well as an opportunity to
>educate the public.)

> 

>The members who "people" the table either sit behind the table or stand to
>the side or out front to better engage the flow of customers coming in and
>out of the store. 

> 

>"Would you like to give a donation to the Omaha Chapter of the National
>Federation of the Blind?" Or, "Would you like to purchase a Mother's Day
>Flower and support the National Federation of the Blind?" Is one of several
>different types of short, quick phrases that you might hear me or others
>say, as we hear new people traffic coming or going. These customers are
>always speeding by on their personal business and we learned long ago, that
>what ever you say needs to be quick and to the point. 

> 

>Then, as a potential donator approaches the table, you might hear, "Would
>you like to help us do our work?" And/or "do you know a blind person?" Or,
>"Let us tell you about the Federation and what we do." And, knowing that
>most of these people are in a hurry to go about their business, we would
>hand them one of each of our broachers, saying something like "Please take
>these; we would like to tell you about our organization." And of course, if
>the person is inclined to visit, we will go into as much depth about
>blindness as possible (answering their questions is always the priority). 

> 

> 

>Some times, there will be a second organization similarly setup and across
>the entrance from us- like the "Make A Whish Foundation."

> 

> 

>Robert Leslie Newman

>President- NFB Writers' Division

>Division Website

>http://www.nfb-writers-division.org

>Personal Website-

>http://www.thoughtprovoker.info

> 

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