Spotlight on Natalie: Fundraising tips that work

Natalie Sando is a MicroGiver whom everyone should know about. She is fundraising to finance stem cell treatment for her hearing loss and has received a flood of support from the moment she launched her campaign.  Her fundraising success is a testament to her determined and genuine character, which I believe are essential traits for all fundraisers. I spoke with Natalie to find out a bit more about her story and gather some tips for running a successful campaign.

1. Tell us about your need. Why have you come to MicroGiving?

Since I was a kid, I’ve had hearing loss that degenerates over time. It wasn’t so bad growing up. As a child, it was not as profound as it is today.

I came to Microgiving because when I first got presented with the opportunity for this treatment, I thought, “How in the world am I going to come up with ten grand?” I’m thinking to myself, “Well, my friends and family could help me… maybe I could set up some website or something!” I searched the Internet for charitable websites that would help, but all of them requested some kind of percentage from the money you raised. I figured, “So, I’m going to put myself out there, stretching far and wide to raise ten grand, and this company is going to use my hard work and take ten percent of it. Well, they’re hosting me, I don’t mind I guess…” But I would still be left short of my need amount. Somehow, I came across Microgiving. You guys do what other websites “offered” … but for free. Without reservation, I immediately signed up, sent in my proof, and requested your help, and I am more than amazed with the results so far.

2. You raised over $2000 in just 8 days. How does it feel to see such an outpouring of support? Was this something you were expecting?

I was definitely not expecting this! My treatment is scheduled for January 2011, and I’m still hoping I can reach my goal. It feels awesome that I have so many great people behind me making sure I don’t fall. I am just blessed that everything got set up as smoothly and quickly as it did. The support from people, even “anonymous”, just gives me such a grateful feeling. I am so happy that people are as generous as they are, helping me to achieve my dreams, both financially and emotionally. It just proves that there is good in everyone, and I hope that one day it’ll be my turn to help someone who is in need as well, with a large sum of money (and love)!

3. Have any of the donors or the donation amounts so far surprised you?

For sure. My first donation was from a friend of mine… who, and I’ll admit it, has been a far better friend to me than I have been to him (and he knows it too!). He has always been there for me and there were times when I was unable to be there for him. Throughout our friendship, he has been nothing but understanding, always helpful, and I haven’t even seen him for three years. Even so, he flat out donated $200 for me! I was blown away.

I had another friend donate a large amount and I was surprised as well. She’s only known me throughout half of college, but the impact she has had on my life has surpassed some friends that I have known for over a decade. Before she donated, I told her I needed her heart in this, not her money. I told her I didn’t want her money, but she went ahead and donated anyway. I’m pretty sure I still owe her a birthday present from May! I didn’t forget, you’ll still get it!

My sister, Nineveh, and her husband donated a huge amount. To be honest, I don’t think I would be able to move forward with this treatment without their help. I’m extremely grateful for their donation, as well as many of their friends who have donated for me and don’t really know me at all. That is an amazing feeling.

We can’t forget the ultimate Microgiver, John, for donating to people – people he doesn’t even know, such as myself – and he’s donated to me twice so far. I’m sure that guy goes to bed with butterflies over his head because he must have such a great feeling everyday with all the goodness he has done for people!

4. What steps have you taken since the launch of your request that have driven people to your page and moved them to donate? For example, are you using social networks, emailing your friends and family, writing letters, telling people in person, etc?

I’ve refrained from using social networking sites. I guess I wanted to see how far I could get without them. Mostly, I am emailing/calling my friends and family. I’m also asking them to email their friends and family as well. I believe word of mouth is the biggest form of success one can get. I’m calling people, bugging them to please send it out – and I’m following up. If those closest to you write about you to those closest to them, then the amount of people you can get from just those two levels are a LOT.

5. What tips would give to people in a similar situation that will help them run a more successful campaign?

The biggest tip I could give people is to write more about themselves. Write your story, everyone loves stories. Even when we were children, we wanted stories. People want to know YOU before they randomly donate to you. And always be honest. You want people to read about you and really feel like they know you or you deserve this. I want people to really know why I’m here, know who I am, and the kind of person I want to be, by reading my story.

Also, always follow up. Sometimes it takes a third email for people to “want to check out your page”. I always told people via email or phone, “Make sure you read my ‘About Me’ section!” That way, if they could put themselves in my shoes, they would understand why I needed financial help.

6. How has your experience been of MicroGiving so far?

Microgiving has been such an amazing experience! It’s so easy to give people a direct link to my page, and they tell me that donating has never been easier. I love that. I think the best thing about Microgiving is the fact that you “verify” people to make sure donations are going toward a good reason.

7. Feel free to tell us anything else that you’d like to share in particular.

I just want to thank everyone for all their love, support, and belief in my success.  I couldn’t do this treatment without their help.

Thanks everyone!

Natalie has already raised a quarter of her fundraising goal. You can help her make her dream a reality by donating to her campaign here.