A suite at a New York Knicks game costs more than $30,000. Is that a donation to the team?
Why do we differentiate between the money spent on a Super Bowl ticket and the check we write for a worthy cause?
Does calling it a “donation” make it more valuable or less valuable to us?
Fundraisers can fall into the trap of believing that they’re asking for a favor or begging for a donation. But human beings, like all creatures, exchange time, money or risk in exchange for something. When that exchange is insufficient to cause action, we don’t do it.
The anonymous donor gets something. They get something priceless, memorable and worthwhile: peace of mind.
The public donor, whether it’s the neighbor buying a raffle ticket for the scout fundraiser or the bigwig on the board of a museum, they get something as well. The status and connection they buy is a bargain, worth more than it costs. In fact, if it wasn’t worth more than it costs, they wouldn’t buy it.
The fundraiser isn’t asking for a favor. They’re offering an opportunity.