FUNDRAISING FOR A CAUSE
As part of my fellowship journey, I undertook a fundraising campaign to raise donations for the Edhi Foundation, one of Pakistan’s most trusted and respected charitable organisations. This experience became one of the most profound and transformative lessons of my fellowship, challenging me to step outside my comfort zone and connect with people on a deeply human level.
Over the course of this activity, I successfully raised Rs. 850 through two separate Easypaisa donations sent directly to the Edhi Foundation. This blog captures my reflections on the entire experience, from planning and execution to challenges and personal growth.
Donation Summary
Rs. 850.00
Edhi Foundation
1. The Experience of Convincing People to Donate
Convincing people to donate funds for a social cause was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences I have ever undertaken. At first, I underestimated how difficult it would be to persuade others to part with their money even for a cause as noble as supporting the Edhi Foundation, an organisation that provides ambulance services, orphanages, homeless shelters, and rehabilitation centres across Pakistan.
I quickly realised that people do not donate simply because you ask them to. They donate when they feel a genuine connection to the cause. My strategy evolved from simply presenting facts about Edhi Foundation’s work to telling real stories, stories of abandoned children given a home, of accident victims saved by Edhi ambulances, of women escaping violence who found shelter. These narratives created emotional resonance and made people feel that their contribution, no matter how small, would make a tangible difference.
I also used visual evidence the Easypaisa transaction receipts from my own donations to demonstrate that the process was simple, transparent, and secure. Seeing that someone else had already donated gave potential donors confidence and reduced hesitation. This approach of leading by example proved very effective.
2. Individual vs. Group Engagement
I engaged with potential donors both individually and in group settings, and the experience in each context was strikingly different.
Individual Engagement
One-on-one conversations allowed me to deeply personalise my approach. I could listen to the person’s concerns, understand their financial situation, and tailor my message accordingly. For example, when speaking with a young student, I emphasised how even Rs. 50 could contribute to feeding a child for a day. As a business owner, I discussed the moral responsibility of those with means to give back to the community. Individual engagement felt more intimate and honest it built trust, and many of my most successful conversations happened this way.
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Group Engagement
Speaking to groups such as family gatherings, friends in a circle, or colleagues was more efficient in terms of reach but required a different skill set. I had to speak more confidently and publicly, hold attention, and use social proof: when one person agreed to donate in a group setting, others often followed. The power of collective giving became evident people felt less hesitant when they saw peers contributing. However, in groups, it was also easier for individuals to stay silent and let others carry the responsibility.
3. Challenges Faced and How I Overcame Them
The fundraising journey was not without its difficulties. I encountered several significant challenges:
• Scepticism and distrust: Many people were sceptical about whether the money would truly reach those in need. I overcame this by showing official Easypaisa receipts confirming direct transfers to the Edhi Foundation’s verified account and by sharing the foundation’s publicly known legacy and track record.
• Economic hardship: Many people I approached were themselves facing financial difficulties. I responded by emphasising that no amount is too small, even Rs. 50 counts, and I never pressured anyone. This respectful approach maintained relationships and, in several cases, people donated what they could afford.
• Fear of rejection: Initially, I feared being turned down and found it uncomfortable to ask for money. I overcame this by reframing the ask. I was not begging; I was offering people an opportunity to do good. Each rejection became a lesson in communication and helped me improve my pitch for the next conversation.
• Donor fatigue: Some people felt they already donated to other causes. I addressed this by clearly differentiating the Edhi Foundation’s grassroots impact from other organisations, helping donors see the unique value of this particular cause.
4. How This Experience Developed My Resilience
This fundraising campaign was, more than anything else, a masterclass in resilience. I was rejected many more times than I succeeded. There were moments of self-doubt, when I wondered whether I was the right person to ask others for money, or whether my efforts were making any difference at all.
But each time I felt like giving up, I returned to my “why”. I reminded myself that the Edhi Foundation’s work impacts millions of vulnerable lives. Every rupee raised was not a small number; it was a statement of collective humanity. This sense of purpose carried me through moments of failure and frustration.
I also learned that resilience is not the absence of failure, it is the willingness to continue after failing. Each rejected request taught me something: to read people better, to adapt my communication style, to be patient. By the end of the campaign, I felt not just more confident as a fundraiser, but more resilient as a person capable of sitting with discomfort and continuing forward regardless.
Raising Rs. 850 may seem modest in monetary terms, but the internal journey it represented was immeasurable. I grew in empathy, in courage, and in my belief that one individual can move others toward positive action.
Conclusion
This fellowship activity has fundamentally changed how I see civic responsibility and community action. I began this journey thinking fundraising was about collecting money. I leave it understanding that fundraising is about building trust, inspiring hope, and rallying people around a shared value of compassion.
The Edhi Foundation represents Pakistan’s conscience and by raising funds for it, even in a small way, I became a part of that conscience. I am deeply grateful for this experience and intend to carry its lessons forward in every leadership role I take on in the future.
