Creative Financing
When I was growing up, it was called panhandling. This generation calls it fundraising.
Over the decades, I've collected my fair share of donations for worthy causes - both as a child and an adult. We sold a product. We held a carwash or a bake sale. We hired ourselves out for small house projects (rake leaves, paint, mow). We held a party and the benefits went to the cause. There were times when a person didn't want a product or need our services, but would still make a donation. I appreciated their generosity.
But these days, students stand at a place of business or on a street corner, hold a sign and just expect a handout. No product, no service. "Just give me your money." I'm flabbergasted. I have a problem with kids standing someplace with a sign waiting for strangers to hand them money.
Personally, I think this approach sends a bad message to this generation's children. To all of the people walking past, I think this speaks poorly about the organization that is cultivating a beggar mentality. The reality is, in this economy you have to squeeze your dollar for everything it is worth.
I'm curious if anyone else has seen this type of "fundraising" and how you feel about it. On the positive side, what creative ways have you seen organizations use to raise funds?