We have been trained to do it since our grade school days. In my own time, we passed around this Alay Kapwa tin can around the classroom, each student depositing coins into the slot. We also have beauty contest fundraisers: the girl who raises the highest amount of donations gets to be crowned princess or queen.
In high school and college you have your proms and discos. Occasionally teenagers go on tours and field trips compelling them to raise money for their meals, transportation and accommodations. Upon graduation they hit the road again to solicit ads for the school annual.
There appears to be a relentless preoccupation with organizing an activity to raise money to hold another activity. Siyempre, the goal is a worthy cause, from clean and green efforts, to anti-drugs, to the environment, the disabled, the elderly, the orphans, church renovation, barangay fiesta, etc., etc. And we all have been unwilling, eager, grumbling, harassed, compliant victims at one time or another. In school, as a student or as parent. In social circles as a member of a civic club or organization. Even at home you don’t get any respite from your barangay officials, the subdivision’s homeowners association or local parish. Pres. Fidel "Viajedor" Ramos is doing it to us, too, with the lotto and sweepstakes.
Donor fatigue. That’s the term they use in the corporate world, as companies are our favorite targets. They receive request letters on a daily basis. Regardless of the worthiness of the cause - they are all for a good cause - most of these requests are turned down. "No budget" is the common terse explanation. Some would react, "aw c’mon, a big company like yours and you can’t spare a few thousands for our project?" Companies are not bottomless pits of donations. They exist primarily to make money and they can only share a portion of their profits to selected charities. They become choosy or rigid in the screening process. For instance, companies like to position their corporate or brand identities with the activity in question. Camel is associated with Motocross races. Milo supports school athletic competitions. UCPB went into the arts. Nescafe into concerts.
Don’t make it a one-sided deal. Offer front row seat tickets to your concert or movie premier. Proposals that offer value-added benefits in return have a good chance of being approved. Like extra publicity when the sponsor’s logo appears in the backdrop, streamers, tickets, and posters. Or better still, an exclusive marketing opportunity for the company to display their product streamers, distribute samples or sell at the venue. Sometimes some companies would turn down a sponsorship deal if they don’t fancy their fellow sponsors. For obvious reasons, Coca-Cola is wary about co-sponsoring an event with Carlsberg.
It seems easier when you approach individuals or local companies ran by one person since you only deal with one decision-maker who is not tied by corporate policies and rules. A savvy businessman will accommodate existing and potential friends and contacts because he recognizes the value of networking and establishing good relationships.
In as much as you have to do your homework in knowing your target benefactors, handle your "bala" or ammo well, too. Don’t bug others for that P200-line ad in your son’s school annual if you earn twice the daily minimum wage rate. Do you really need one or more companies to sponsor your induction? It speaks of poor judgement that your club has not allocated funds for an internal annual activity. So is soliciting cash outside for an office picnic outing or Christmas party. Remember, too, that donations in kind like a product, promo item, streamer, uniforms, is still a cash debit to the company. It is different with hotels, planes and boats though. They can afford to award rooms and tickets at no great loss on their part.
Lastly, a personal appearance is not necessary but if you must, don’t go around asking for donations wearing all your jewelry and imported label clothes. Matingala pa ka nganong wa ma-approve imong request?