Ask any person needing to raise funds out of nowhere how they plan to do it and they'll invariably come up with a list of ideas which all involve asking people to donate in one way or another – be it time, money, goods, or any combination of those.
How many boxes of cookies, raffle tickets and door knock appeals have you paid for that had nothing to do with raising money for something? None, right? I don't know about you, but much as I'd like to help, I really get tired of people asking for donations.
Whether you are raising funds for a sick person who needs treatment, a sporting group that wants to travel to a competitive event, or a charity you believe in, it is difficult to get away from the need to ask people to donate.
In fact, the reason for this article is because rashly I offered to host a pink ribbon "Girls' Night In" to raise funds for "Breast Health" (no WAAAY will I support breast cancer!) and found myself a little stumped, because I have only recently moved to this state and do not yet know many people I can invite or ask to participate.
So how can I follow through and raise a meaningful contribution?
As I thought about it, I thought of other ways I'd like to help the community or the world.
1. Surf Life Savers
2. Pandas and other endangered species, WWF
3. Amnesty International
4. A lady I saw on the news who cares for animals injured on the roads – and other stories on TV about people who are doing something worthwhile
5. Parents, Children, Grandchildren
6. Seniors and Disabled
7. Research into breast health and other women's health issues
8. Many others....
You'll have your own list… People everywhere want money.
I want to do something to help them all long term so they don't have to suffer the indignities of continually putting their hands out asking for money.
You see, although I want to help, I have a bit of a problem with just donating. I think the handout mentality is disempowering and "unhealthy" for both individuals and groups. Far better to help them to become financially empowered, so they can be self-funding and independent.
Then I came across a story online that caught my eye. I sat up and took notice.
Fundraisers: How would you like to generate a decent amount of money like $50,000 or $100,000 per year? How could you possibly do that without asking people for donations and a lot of work?
Well, it can be done. No donations and no work required.
I read about charities,non-profits, disabled people, and even events, in parts of the USA, Canada and the UK, which are all being funded using an adaptation of the principles detailed in the book "Financial Freedom on $1 a Day" by Suzanne Kincaid. Nobody is being asked to donate, yet they are generating considerable incomes. It's even working in New Zealand.
Then it hit me like a blinding flash of the obvious. An epiphany of sorts, where it all fell into place so simply.
Yet would it work for Breast Cancer issues? …Did I even have the guts to try?
Would we be willing to support each other in this way?
Because although this concept does not rely at all donations; it does rely completely on participation. Individual participation that benefits the whole, where you are asked to spend a small amount of money on a regular basis for the good of the group - while you yourself get the benefit of that purchase.
Sort of like a "modern-day" version of the old multi-level or network marketing idea, where profit sharing occurs, yet with the "big difference" being that these days, it is done online and nobody has to go selling soap powder, or cosmetics, or anything at all, to their friends.
It is simply the strategy of utilising a profit-sharing membership subscription, in return for which the participant receives online goods and services, free advertising of their own business, free web page, ebooks, music – including free songs you can download anytime you want, online courses and more, including a share in the revenues generated by the members, and even the option to sell your own products.
These people are raising some serious money.
So let me ask you… Would you be willing to support "Breast Health" and/or any other beneficiary of your choice by joining a membership that you even stand to profit from yourself?
If you asked me that question, my response would be two questions; "What do I have to do?" and "How would I profit?"
So here's what you need to do
1. Purchase a membership subscription for $15 joining fee and $15 per month, or two subscriptions for $30 joining fees and $30 per month – that's $1 a day
2. Maintain this subscription for twelve months, or until it is self-funding and requires no further cash input from you – no commitment, you are free to cancel at any time, but in order to benefit the group and yourself best, you need to give it time to grow
3. That's it – no further action required from you
And here's how you profit
1. Part of the joining fee is paid via profit sharing back to the members
2. Part of the monthly subscription revenue is paid via profit sharing back to the members up to a maximum of over $4,000 a month per member, or double that for two subscriptions
3. If you're in business, you can generate additional profits by selling your own goods or services on your member's web page and keep the full 100%
4. You can advertise your own online or offline business for free and keep 100% of all sales generated in this way
I'm aiming to get as many people and groups involved as possible and everyone who participates gets their own profit-share as well. It is a huge win-win all round. The entire community can benefit from participating.
If you have a group, special purpose, or charity you'd like to raise funds for, or even if you need more money for yourself, I will be happy to help you or tell you what you need to know to organise your own fund. The beauty is, rather than competing, we can each benefit from joining forces and helping each other.
Breast Health aside, show me a family that could not use an extra income these days?
Karen Adams © 2007 For more information on how you can support Breast Health through participation, and how to download your own free copy of the book "Financial Freedom on $1 a Day," please visit Karen Adams' blog or email her at threebuddies@
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