There is someone in the circles of people closest to you who would be delighted - in fact, honored - to make a major gift to FightSMA (www.fightsma.org). This may be a distant relative, a college friend who has “done well” or a business relationship who has become a friend.

For a person of means, a gift of $50,000 or even $100,000 is realistic. It’s not realistic for many of us (okay, pretty much ALL of us), but for someone who CAN make such a gift, it’s a blessing to them to make it. We have a responsibility, to the children we love and to the children we’ve met who are fighting SMA, to push through our own feelings of awkwardness or inadequacy - and we all have those feelings…all of us - and MAKE THE ASK.

So, take a deep breath. Or exhale a sigh of resignation…and read on.

And, hey, why are we on this planet anyway? To live cautiously and timidly? Are we supposed to end your days, saying “I should have…”

Hardly.

Listen to Shakespeare:

There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

So, the “Three Questions to Ask Yourself to Reach the Miracle.”

1. Who have I avoided sitting down with and making the hard ask, even though I KNOW they can make a very large gift? You may have asked them before, and after an uncomfortable and long silence, a few avoided glances, and some clearing of the throat, they said they’d think real hard about it and that was the last of it. It may have been five years since you’ve brought it up. But you need to do it again. They may have softened. They may be in a better place to consider it. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Think about this person, then think of an approach. Talk through your approach with someone who knows you well and can bolster your confidence.

2. If I made a list of possible people to contact, have I exhausted all my circles? I bet you can come up with three good, realistic prospects. Think back to high school. Did you know that the quiet kid in the cadet corps who couldn’t play Taps has made several million dollars on Wall Street? Find him. Get back in touch. How about Uncle Harry? He just sold his carpet cleaning company. It wasn’t huge, but he cleared about $1.5 million. What’s he going to do with the money? Let the IRS have it? Stop him from dumping it down that rat hole. And what about acquaintances at church, in the Rotary? At work? Make a list of 10 relatives. Who do THEY know?

3. Have you visualized the amount of money you’re going to get? Think about fifty one-thousand dollar bills. Think hard about them. See those crisp, pretty bills in a suitcase, or in a big grocery bag. Enjoy the fact that you’re going to get someone to give them to you, for the most important cause of your life. In your mind, toss the bills up into the air and watch them flutter to the ground. Giggle about it. IT’S JUST MONEY, AND YOU CAN GET IT. Figure out an amount you want to ask for and make it feel real.

You can do this.

Tags: fightsma, fundraising

Below is a new article written for Fight SMA and FighterMom. Some material in this article comes from the FighterMom Manual.

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You CAN Make Things Happen in Washington for Your Cause

Fight SMA, the organization my husband and I founded in 1991, is an international nonprofit organization working toward a cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We haven’t always been a big organization, however. As with all grassroots efforts, we started small and had a lot to learn.

When we launched Fight SMA we knew we had to work hard to get the federal government to increase funding for spinal muscular atrophy. We met with our congressional representatives and with the head of the relevant institute within the massive National Institutes of Health. We received useful insights and nice photographs for our newsletters, but failed to increase the small NIH budget for spinal muscular atrophy research.

Our fortunes changed, however, as we gained experience. Our latest successes involve the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act, proposed legislation that was recently introduced for consideration in the U.S. House and Senate. The bill was created by a coalition of SMA groups that includes the organizations Families of SMA, the SMA Foundation, and Fight SMA.

Below is a list of the some of the things we’ve learned. Donna Mullins of Washington, D.C. public affairs group Winning Strategies and Steve Eichenauer of Public Strategies Washington provided these tips. Hopefully they will help you have more success the FIRST time you solicit the federal government for your cause.

The Power of Partnerships

Our first successes with Congress came when we “threw in” with other SMA organizations that had taken on Washington as a strategic priority. As part of a coalition, we were harder to ignore, and thus started seeing real results. Research what other organizations are already doing to raise funds or awareness for your cause and, if possible, partner with them. Be sure, however, that your goals are one in the same.

Additionally, when scheduling appointments with a representative, it’s best to book a group of visitors. A “pack” of constituents may be more likely to get face-to-face time with a representative.

How to “Attack the Government” from Multiple Fronts

While it’s an excellent idea to travel to Washington, you can also bring your representative to you. Contact the home district office and invite him or her to an event you’re sponsoring. Engagement at home, when they’re working to impress voters, can be a great way to get their attention.

Know What You Want

This can be one of the hardest things to figure out. Some representatives are willing to take up the cause of raising awareness and work toward more funding for a cause. Others believe that the scientific community should drive funding decisions. Additionally, many elected representatives fear that taking up one cause will open themselves up to criticism from constituents who are pushing other causes. As a guide, find out what they have done on behalf of others. Make it a goal to get at least as much for your cause.

What To Avoid

It is important to know what your congressional representative can or cannot do. For example, members of Congress cannot dictate where the NIH spends money. However, they can draw attention to the concerns of a constituent and raise questions about the level of funding.

Make the Most of Your Time

When you sit down for your “Big Washington Meeting”, tell your representative what you think the government SHOULD be doing, and ask directly for their assistance. This is not the time to be bashful.

Don’t be surprised if your representative doesn’t show up for your meeting, and don’t underestimate the role of the staffer who is there. That person may be your regular point of contact, so build a relationship with them.

Cut to the Chase

Finally, when you do sit down with your elected representative or his/her staffer, start talking right away about what you want. Legislators and their staff are very busy, so this is not a time to be long winded. When you present your case, be sure to relate it back to his or her home district. Some statistics about how your cause affects their home state or district can be extremely effective.

Bring Materials

Create a one-page document to give your representative or his/her staffer during your visit. The document should be bulleted and easy-to-read, and include all of the important information about your cause, including contact information for you or your organization.

Don’t be Afraid to Follow Up

On any given day in Washington, members of Congress have about 20 different people visiting with them and seeking assistance. After your meeting, be persistent. Phone or write to remind your representative what was discussed and what was promised.

While following this plan doesn’t guarantee success, not having a plan will nearly guarantee failure. Good luck in your efforts.

To learn more about the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act, visit the Fight SMA website. You can also listen to episode three of Fighting Back Podcast, a program produced by Fight SMA and FighterMom, to hear Martha Slay discuss recent Fight SMA congressional visits.

Tags: congress, lobbying, SMA treatment acceleration act, spinal muscular atrophy, washington