August 31, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minute
On his personal blog, Sasha Dichter, director of business development for the Acumen Fund, made an unusual request to friends, family, and other people last week: donate to his charity for his 36th birthday. His goal was to raise $720 either through direct gifts to Acumen or through Facebook Causes.
Five days later, he exceeded his target amount, garnering $968.72.
Mr. Dichter writes that his effort produced some unexpected results, like “seeing what does and doesn’t work with direct fund-raising appeals; being touched and moved by old friends, readers, and family who chose to participate in ways large and small.”
For example, in a blog item before he reached his goal, he explained how his original pitch HAD failed to draw a connection between Acumen’s work and the concerns of the potential donors.
What do you think? Have other fund raisers used their personal blogs to make birthday appeals for the groups they work for?
