--- title: "Why Fundraising Can Seem Scary: Overcoming Your Fear" description: Fundraising can be scary, but it's also necessary. Here are some tips to get over your fears! image: https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/pexels-photo-244994.jpeg --- [Client Login](http://manage.swellgives.com) - [![Twittee](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swellfundraising-Mar2017-Theme/Images/twitter_secondnav.svg)](https://twitter.com/swellfunds) - [![Facebook](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swellfundraising-Mar2017-Theme/Images/facebook_secondnav.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/swellfundraising) - [![LinkedIn](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swellfundraising-Mar2017-Theme/Images/linkedin_secondnav.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/3605977?trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Acompany%2CclickedEntityId%3A3605977%2Cidx%3A2-1-2%2CtarId%3A1459363657085%2Ctas%3Aswell%20fund) [![Swell logo](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hs-fs/hubfs/swell_just_website.png?width=144&name=swell_just_website.png "swell_just_website.png")](https://www.swellfundraising.com) # Blog ### Categories - [Fundraising (53)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/fundraising) - [Event Tips (52)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/event-tips) - [Event Tech (20)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/event-tech) - [Peer to Peer (7)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/peer-to-peer) - [Online Fundraising (6)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/online-fundraising) - [technology (5)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/technology) - [Junior Board (4)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/junior-board) - [Social Media (4)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/social-media) - [Event Ideas (3)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/event-ideas) - [Management (1)](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/management) [See all](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/why-fundraising-can-seem-scary-overcoming-your-fear#) # Why Fundraising Can Seem Scary: Overcoming Your Fear Written by : ### [Laughlin Ashe](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/author/laughlin-ashe) Categories: [Fundraising](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/topic/fundraising) Every single nonprofit has to fundraise, but for many it can be a daunting task. Here are some reasons nonprofits may not want to fundraise and how suggestions on how to overcome those reasons: - **Don’t know how:** Some nonprofits or new staff members don’t have much experience with fundraising. There are many different strategies (See [Nonprofit Fundraising: Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/blog/nonprofit-fundraising-dont-spread-yourself-too-thin)), and it’s hard to know where to start. You can talk with other nonprofits, hire a consultant, or conduct your own online research to determine the best strategy for your organization. - **Culture of Event:** Some nonprofits hold great events, but they are not true fundraisers ([See 5 Signs You Are Throwing a Party instead of a Fundraiser](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/blog/things-to-keep-in-mind-when-changing-a-fundraising-event)). They may not want to ‘risk’ their event by turning it into a fundraiser. However, there are subtle ways to add a fundraising component, such as a text-to-pledge or call to action, while still maintaining the 'lightness' of the event.  - **Pride:** Some may think it shows weakness to have to fundraise. Nonprofits may not want to seem desperate for money. You must realize, however, that every nonprofit has to fundraise and every potential donor is aware of that. It does not hurt your credibility whatsoever to ask for money.  - **Personal Discomfort:** Asking for money is scary and can be awkward. This discomfort dissipates with repetition. And, being comfortable when asking for money is more inviting for potential donors and makes them feel connected to you and your organization. - **Fear of Being Annoying or Rejected:** There is a fear that asking for money or turning your event into a fundraiser can upset guests or make them feel uncomfortable. However, guests know that coming to a fundraising event will (and should) involve being asked for a donation. The worst they can say is no, but it's likely you'll be suprised by the amount of peope who say yes. - **Costs:** Fundraising and events undoubtedly have an upfront cost. This is unavoidable. However, it is better to think of it as an investment. You are investing in your fundraising with the assumption (and hopefully well laid-out budget) that you will make your money back and then some. Every nonprofit does this, and the majority of fundraising is profitable. It’s time to move past your uneasiness and go fundraise! Whatever happens, you’ll be making more than you are by doing nothing and allowing your fear to take over. ### [Laughlin Ashe](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/author/laughlin-ashe) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.swellfundraising.com%2Fwhy-fundraising-can-seem-scary-overcoming-your-fear%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.swellfundraising.com%2Fwhy-fundraising-can-seem-scary-overcoming-your-fear%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.swellfundraising.com%2Fwhy-fundraising-can-seem-scary-overcoming-your-fear%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.swellfundraising.com%2Fwhy-fundraising-can-seem-scary-overcoming-your-fear%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png) ](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.swellfundraising.com%2Fwhy-fundraising-can-seem-scary-overcoming-your-fear%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) Brooke Battle Creating Personalized Donor Experiences at Your Events ## Why? A Personalized Donor Experience The difference between a forgettable gala and one that leads... [Read More ![Read More](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swell_Fundraising_May_2016_Images/tile_arrow.svg) ![Read More](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swell_Fundraising_May_2016_Images/tile_arrow_hovered.svg) ](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/creating-personalized-donor-experiences-at-your-events) Brooke Battle Why We Canceled the Auction at Our Nonprofit Fundraising Event *“Join us on November 2nd for our annual gala. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, a silent...* [Read More ![Read More](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swell_Fundraising_May_2016_Images/tile_arrow.svg) ![Read More](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swell_Fundraising_May_2016_Images/tile_arrow_hovered.svg) ](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/why-we-canceled-the-auction-at-our-nonprofit-fundraising-event) Brooke Battle Peer to Peer Fundraising: A Nonprofit Guide to Fundraiser Communication Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. This... [Read More ![Read More](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swell_Fundraising_May_2016_Images/tile_arrow.svg) ![Read More](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/Swell_Fundraising_May_2016_Images/tile_arrow_hovered.svg) ](https://blog.swellfundraising.com/peer-to-peer-fundraising-a-nonprofit-guide-to-fundraiser-communication) - [**](http://www.facebook.com/swellfundraising) - [**](https://instagram.com/swellfundraising) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/swellfundraising) Newsletter sign up form it’s fast and easy ```   ``` [About Us](https://www.swellfundraising.com/about) [Affiliate Program](https://go.swellfundraising.com/referral-program-channel-partners) [Bloomerang Integration ](https://go.swellfundraising.com/en/bloomerang-integration-1)         info@swellfundraising.com ### Recent Blog Posts   Copyright Swell Fundraising 2026 [Terms of use](https://www.swellfundraising.com/terms-and-conditions) | [Privacy policy](https://www.swellfundraising.com/policy) ** ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/877713489/?guid=ON&script=0) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Laughlin Ashe", "url" : "https://blog.swellfundraising.com/author/laughlin-ashe" }, "datePublished" : "2017-08-23T17:43:47.000Z", "headline" : "Why Fundraising Can Seem Scary: Overcoming Your Fear", "image" : [ "https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/pexels-photo-244994.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.swellfundraising.com/why-fundraising-can-seem-scary-overcoming-your-fear", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.swellfundraising.com/hubfs/SwellBrand/Swell%20Logos/Swell_SOLO_blue.png" }, "name" : "Swell Fundraising" } } ```