Fundraising ideas- brainstorm with me!

[JuiceBox52]

Help me brainstorm fundraising ideas! I don’t want to just ask for money, I want donors to get something in return.

I have some medical bills coming up, multiple surgeries and tests that will require me flying across the country, staying a month in another state, and unfortunately these medical costs are not covered by insurance. Neither the tests nor the surgeries. It will end up costing me up to over $50,000

We’ve thought of basic things like bake sale and gofund me, but I’m not comfortable doing a gofundme and just asking for donations, you know?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Bake sale $ If you can sell cupcakes for $50 each you only need to sell about 1,100 if you want to include shipping. I wonder how long it takes to bake 1,100 cupcakes and then to get them to the buyers. So,

Get comfortable with asking for help and doing a go-fund-me or similar. But be honest when you ask strangers for help. I understand that you feel uncomfortable doing a go-fund-me or anything similar. But not having the money you need for essential medical care will hurt you more than doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Let me tell you a story that relates somewhat to your situation. A very nice person I have known for many years and whom I met at a weekend fish event, had a home based fish business. Not only were we friends, but I also helped with her business and she helped me to get fish at great prices. She had/has a YouTube page and was/is on Instagram and I am not sure where else.

Years back she posted and did a vid about the following. Her husband had lost his best friend some years earlier in an accident. The friend has been a big supporter of St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Every year as a tribute to the dead friend on what would have been his birthday, my friend's husband would do fundraising for donations to go to the hospital in memory of deceased friend.

So my friend asked people viewing the vid or reading about it on her social media pages to please donate. What made it more interesting was that her husband was an expert welder and a bit of an artist who fabricated small sculptures. One with a fish theme was offered to whomever made the largest individual donation. I really wanted it and I took a look at the donor list. I then made the largest donation, $350. It should have been enough to win what was worth about $3 in material and maybe an hour of time. Not long after I donated a person who chose to remain anonymous in terms of not publishing their name gave $1,000.

Of course my friend and her husband could see the name and neither of them knew this person. At least I knew them both. And when it was all said and done a whole lot of money was raised and a number of the people donating only knew my friend via her Youtube etc. They never met her in person nor any of her family.

I realize that You are not a children's hospital, but your need for help for medical reasons is real and this is the season of giving. So go for it. If you can have a place that keeps a running total of donations received so folks can visit and see where things stand. that would be a big help. Have a set target figure, but accept donations over that amount. I suggest you also have a published policy which says if you receive more in donations than you have to spend on the medical costs, that you will donate such excess to a specified worthy charity like St. Judes or Shriners Hospital for Children.

Also, make sure that you are aware of any laws relating to go-fund-me etc. and if there any potential tax consequences. I am neither an accountant nor lawyer, so I cannot help with this.

As for what you might do in terms of something of value going out for money coming in. How about asking fish folks, including people here and on any other place online you hang out, to donate some rare and pricey fish to you. Then you can auction these fish, maybe on AquaBid, maybe at weekend fish events/auctions. Just be aware of the cut you might have to give the auctioning outfit. Avoid anything over 25% and less is better. You can even do some outright sales.

If you can figure out something in this respect in the not too distant future I can offer you a pair of either L173 or Super While L236. They would be over 2 inches and I would do my best to select one of each sex but cannot guarantee it. I can offer a third option, a group of 5 Budrovcan line 236 also over 2 inches. These would be the least valuable option but are likely to the easiest to sell. I say not too distant because I am mostly retiring from the hobby and have been selling off my breeding groups and their kids starting last year. I hope to finish as early in 2024 as possible.

You need to do whatever you have to in order to pay for what you need. The only important part for your own peace of mind, is that you do it in an open and honest way. You may be surprised at how many generous people you have never met and likely never will that will help out to the extent they can.

 

[GaryE]

It's always weird for people in other wealthy countries to see these issues. It's a lot of money to raise for a basic human right to healthcare. Yikes.
Where I grew up, the need for quick capital involved various crimes you probably aren't interested in trying. Can people get loans and pay them down like mortgages?

 

[Rocky998]

Help me brainstorm fundraising ideas! I don’t want to just ask for money, I want donors to get something in return.

I have some medical bills coming up, multiple surgeries and tests that will require me flying across the country, staying a month in another state, and unfortunately these medical costs are not covered by insurance. Neither the tests nor the surgeries. It will end up costing me up to over $50,000

We’ve thought of basic things like bake sale and gofund me, but I’m not comfortable doing a gofundme and just asking for donations, you know?

Maybe for donations you can offer people a product that you sell. And have it where certain amounts get you different things and have options on what they can get out of it... They can even choose "none" if they don't want a product but just want to help you.

And it would advertise your art!!

 

[Colin_T]

Is the surgery necessary or exploratory?

donations over x amount get a painting that is so big.
donations over xx amount get a bigger painting.
doners can send a picture to you and you will paint if for them.

 

[MuddyWaters]

I would suggest doing the GoFundMe. Feeling weird about asking strangers for money is understandable, but those strangers DO get benefit from giving. I have given a few bucks to folks I've never heard of and never heard from just because I would like to think someone would reach out for me in a time of need.

On top of that, you're an artist, right? I've seen a person on Reddit who posts "give me a pic of your cat and I will draw it" - folks post and post and post. This person does it for free, I guess to practice, but I guarantee you- post an offer for a simple drawing of a fish or other pet and ask for a donation in return- I bet folks would line up for it- I know I would.

I'm sorry you're in this state- please give me, and others like me, an opportunity to help as I can- there are a lot of folks who want to do something good to stem the tide of awful crap we see constantly on news, social media, etc.

All the best to you!!!

 

[Magnum Man]

If you are active in a church... often they will help raise funds

 

[Rocky998]

Is the surgery necessary or exploratory?

donations over x amount get a painting that is so big.
donations over xx amount get a bigger painting.
doners can send a picture to you and you will paint if for them.

I was thinking painting for larger donations, then stickers and coloring pages for smaller donations

 

[JuiceBox52]

Is the surgery necessary or exploratory?

donations over x amount get a painting that is so big.
donations over xx amount get a bigger painting.
doners can send a picture to you and you will paint if for them.

It’s necessary. I stood up wrong and completely tore off my abs, quads, adductors, abductors, and something in my hip. I also have full depth labral tears in my hips and compartment syndrome in my adductor muscle on the right which needs taken care of prett bad

 

[JuiceBox52]

I would suggest doing the GoFundMe. Feeling weird about asking strangers for money is understandable, but those strangers DO get benefit from giving. I have given a few bucks to folks I've never heard of and never heard from just because I would like to think someone would reach out for me in a time of need.

On top of that, you're an artist, right? I've seen a person on Reddit who posts "give me a pic of your cat and I will draw it" - folks post and post and post. This person does it for free, I guess to practice, but I guarantee you- post an offer for a simple drawing of a fish or other pet and ask for a donation in return- I bet folks would line up for it- I know I would.

I'm sorry you're in this state- please give me, and others like me, an opportunity to help as I can- there are a lot of folks who want to do something good to stem the tide of awful crap we see constantly on news, social media, etc.

All the best to you!!!

That’s a great idea, definitely something I could do, I’ve done speed drawings in the past before too

 

[JuiceBox52]

It's always weird for people in other wealthy countries to see these issues. It's a lot of money to raise for a basic human right to healthcare. Yikes.
Where I grew up, the need for quick capital involved various crimes you probably aren't interested in trying. Can people get loans and pay them down like mortgages?

And this is just the most important surgery. Unfortunately there are no specialists in the state for one of my conditions, and there’s only like 10 in the world so after this surgery I will have to go fly elsewhere to get established with a doctor who can manage my case, which is necessary but considered “experimental” by insurance because it’s so rare, so isn’t covered and will also be out of pocket. I also need a chest port and feeding tube, but insurance is refusing to pay despite it being classified as life support, and it’s going to be expensive so we’re trying to manage without it.

Some people could take a loan out, but as a newly married 20 year old with next to no credit score, it’s unlikely I’d be approved.

I want to avoid as much debt as possible, but I’m afraid I will end up like my friend with the same condition, who had to file for bankruptcy with over 10 million dollars in medical debt of unpaid bills.

 

[MuddyWaters]

And this is just the most important surgery. Unfortunately there are no specialists in the state for one of my conditions, and there’s only like 10 in the world so after this surgery I will have to go fly elsewhere to get established with a doctor who can manage my case, which is necessary but considered “experimental” by insurance because it’s so rare, so isn’t covered and will also be out of pocket. I also need a chest port and feeding tube, but insurance is refusing to pay despite it being classified as life support, and it’s going to be expensive so we’re trying to manage without it.

Some people could take a loan out, but as a newly married 20 year old with next to no credit score, it’s unlikely I’d be approved.

I want to avoid as much debt as possible, but I’m afraid I will end up like my friend with the same condition, who had to file for bankruptcy with over 10 million dollars in medical debt of unpaid bills.

Don't let your pride get in the way. Ask for help!!! By the way, this is an organization I donate to - "RIP Medical Debt" their whole mission is to remove medical debt. I'm not sure if they take specific requests, but even if they don't they have some info on ways to help with medical debt.

 

[jaylach]

Use GoFundMe but don't stop there. There are many good suggestions above and you should do several but here is something that has not been mentioned. On your web site do a promotion where 20%... mayhaps 10%... of a purchase will be donated to a charity of their choice. Many will end up making their donation of choice to you so you would probably not lose all that much and could gain a lot.

While I don't know I would guess that you are on Social Security Disability. If I'm correct contact your local Social Security office and ask for advice. If you are not on Social Security Disability you should be and need to apply immediately.

If you decide to do something such as GoFundMe post the link and $100.00 will be there. I'm sure that others here would also be happy to help.

Get financial help anywhere you can and feel no guilt. An important thing to remember is that rare is the person that donates to a cause to actually help. People donate due to it making them feel good and worthwhile. In a way that is, in a way, sort of sad but is proven fact.

Also contact a group called VOA, Volunteers of America, as they do their best to help people including homeless shelters and aid. They may have some help for you.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Don't let your pride get in the way. Ask for help!!! By the way, this is an organization I donate to - "RIP Medical Debt" their whole mission is to remove medical debt. I'm not sure if they take specific requests, but even if they don't they have some info on ways to help with medical debt.

Thank you I will look into this

 

[Herpin Man]

Non-profit hospitals in the United States are required, by law, to offer “charity care” at free or reduced cost to those who cannot afford it. I don’t know the income guidelines or anything, but I think it’s something you should research.