Stop Whining and Start Winning

Okay. I get it. Raising money for your charity is not easy. Times are tough, needs are high and money is short. It's time to remind yourself why your organization exists and that support and money is everywhere. This is not the time to curl up, close down and make excuses. As my good friend Eric Green of Gutz Media Social Marketing says "It is what is-now get busy".

Make Connections.

Social networking is the answer. Start seeking connections with the people and the tools that can help you find donors, volunteers, sponsors and advertisers. Tell why you care. I became an auctioneer to raise money for my animal shelter. I make sure everyone knows why I do what I do. I make it a point to invite people to the Whisker City web site and to our events. I ask for donations for raffles, yard sales, The Turkey Bowl and our The Sacred Cat Ball and I get results. I intend to connect with some of the thousands of people that support animal rescue looking for a humane, loving no-kill animal sanctuary.

Own the need.

Whisker City's services are in greater demand this month than last month. One crisis after another has caused people to abandon pets in record numbers. If that isn't bleak enough, the county animal shelters are threatening to close and small private shelters have stopped answering the phone. Our work load has doubled and money is stretched pretty thin. We need new faces and new money and the continued support of our faithful. Take a look at the people around you and ask them to start spreading your organization's need and story.

Imagine the world without you.

Imagine if Whisker City closed. To date, we've helped 17 animal shelters by taking in cats and kittens that were slated for humane euthanasia. We have our own steady population of 60-75 long term residents. We counsel from 3 - 10 people a day helping them find solutions for a friends and family members that are dying, disabled, living in addiction, domestic abuse and violence and losing jobs and homes. Who will help them keep their pets or find homes? Where will your people go?

Shout it from the roof top.

 

Start telling the story of your services. Sure we are an animal rescue organization, but we really rescue people with pet problems. If Whisker City had closed last week, we would not have been able to help Margaret find a home for her beloved white cat. Margaret's Musclular Sclerosis has robbed her body of movement to the point that her aging family can no longer manage her needs. The worry and stress of finding a home for Minnie escalated Margarets symptoms and time ran out. She is reluctantly moving into a nursing home. We took Minnie and by the following Saturday, Minnie was adopted by a wonderful woman recovering from a stroke. Minnie was a perfect match for her wheelchair bound owner and we are working on visitations for Minnie with Margaret. Tell me that isn’t a happy ending worth supporting.