Most people think "fundraising event" and they think "walkathon," with advance registration and zillions of people and media coverage and the whole shebang.  But I think "fundraising event" and I think "hmmm, everyone has a birthday, right?" 

Everyone does have a birthday, last time I checked, and that means everyone has at least one excuse every year to raise money.  Check out Jason’s page: when he turned 19 in January he didn’t ask for presents, he asked for donations!  Yeah, it means you won’t get gifts in quite the same way, but who really needs more scented candles and travel clocks?  This way your friends and family can give to you by giving to your cause, and everyone can feel good about that.

Making a fundraising page can work particularly well if you happen to be celebrating not just any birthday but your Bar or Bat Mitzvah.  Jordan’s page is a great example of how even kids can make a huge difference!

We also see a lot of people making pages for their weddings, like Shula and Nick.  Especially in this day and age, when many people get married a little older, or for a second time, they don’t need as much stuff as they used to, and so the huge pile of wedding gifts doesn’t always make as much sense.  The perfect solution?  Ask people to give money to the happy couple’s favorite nonprofit!  (And remember, that could be any nonprofit company that’s in the Guidestar database, from the American Cancer Society to your local PTA!)

Been married for a while?  Sherman and Shari are celebrating their 50th anniversary (!!) and are asking their friends and family to make donations in lieu of purchasing gifts. 

Why am I telling you all of this?  Because if you’re looking for some "reason" to fundraise you probably don’t have to look very far.  Any occasion can be turned into a "fundraising event," so everyone who wants to can find some "excuse" to raise money.  You have a birthday, right?