HOW CAN I HELP?

 

Like all of us, I was stunned and saddened by the news out of Paris Friday night. Coming shortly on the heels of a similar attack in Beirut just hours before, the on-going refugee migration, and violence throughout the world and in our own country, it’s easy to be overwhelmed.

How can I help?

It’s a rather despairing question when faced with the scale of global economic, political and religious conflict. But it comes from the most human place in all of us. We want to help.

Maybe like me you grew up in a community that rallied around a family in need. Casseroles were dropped off, beds were offered at a moments notice, fundraisers were organized at the drop of a hat all so that people could help.

Or maybe you came from a tradition of giving generously and thoughtfully financially each year, investing in organizations and causes that you hoped would help.

When we feel uncertain how we can help, though, we often don’t. What we’re left with is the anxious feeling that we didn’t do enough, or that what we did was ineffective.

Think of the quandary of giving spare change to a homeless person. It seems inadequate and futile. But doing more often seems unsafe or unrealistic. Faced with global concerns of displaced persons, religious extremism and terrorism, shading a social media avatar with a French flag seems woefully inadequate.

We want to help, but we’re not sure how.

All of this has been tumbling through my thoughts along with a shining example of a young leader who knows exactly how to ask for help. Meeting Micah, you can’t help but be knocked over by his energy, enthusiasm and vision. He’s got talent and skills, but, more importantly, he knows exactly how to ask for help.

  • He’s not sheepish or ashamed to ask. His purpose is clear. He knows what he’s capable of and what he’s not. He’s excited about his mission and is pretty sure you’re going to be excited too. When you ask how you can help, he’ll tell you clearly and concisely.
  • He doesn’t assume that you don’t want to help and will need extensive persuasion. When you ask, he offers a variety of ways to be involved, whether it be financially, in time or in influence.
  • He doesn’t carry any shame that his organization needs support, and that he’s the one that has to ask for it. He knows that the mission is solid and built on a foundation of generous support from others.
  • He doesn’t assume that he knows how you want to help. He lets you decide. This openness yields not only cash donations, but introductions, collaborations and other opportunities far beyond funding current program needs.
  • As his mission expands, he’s looking for people who can help him identify what he needs and help him anticipate new challenges. He’s building a mentor network as well as a donor network.

All of us want to help. Some of us may be jaded because of bad experiences and refuse to give that help, but the urge is still there. So as you consider your appeals and case for support, make sure you have clear, concise answers to the question “how can I help?”

Giving feeds a basic need in all of us, letting us work through our own grief and concern by being helpful to another.

For the big issues in your community – or in the world – show how supporting your organization is helping that larger conflict. Show me how my gift might not change the world, but would be a big step in improving the world for at least one person.

It will help.

Posted by Lora Dow
Lora Dow

Written by Lora Dow

Since 2006, Lora has helped nonprofits on both a local, state and national level develop a clear and compelling case for support. Effective communications are critical to any organization's ability to inspire donors, advocates and volunteers. Lora's expertise and experience make the process of developing those communications the most effective they can be.

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