The three applications I reviewed came from the middle and high school levels, each involving different areas of school, including extracurricular activities. One application was to raise money for new instruments, specifically a new saxophone. Another's goal was to earn enough to build and design a new art studio for their students. The third one was attempting to achieve the goal of getting new iPads and cameras for the students to use to design their school's yearbook.
The first thing I noticed right off the bat about each of the requests was the information about the school, specifically a broad look into the financial situation. Each one mentioned the rate of free and reduced lunches as well as primary races and ethnicity of the schools. After that they move on to explain why they need what they need and and explain what/how the equipment will be used. So the first thing I think for me that I thought each one did well was how each one really hammered in and milked the reasons as to why they needed something. In this day and age, with the online giving and everything, it's easier than ever to get donations from all corners of the planet. Before, the money would typically come from the school community and the surrounding areas. But now, anyone can go online and find some cause and donate to that cause. These cases are extremely similar to each other in that regard. In addition, people tend to react to situations that are less fortunate, and, as I said, these teachers are real quick to point out that they are not as fortunate as other schools (free/reduced lunch, minority races, etc). They made sure donors knew that right off the bat, and people tend to be suckers for situations like that, the cause can earn a few extra dollars simply by appearing needy (not to say they aren't needy, b/c they are).
The other characteristic that I wanted to point out was how well the teachers made the cause about their students. The saxophone application was actually specifically for one student. All they needed was one saxophone for that one student to be able to play. The yearbook application was for new cameras and iPads to use so the students could have every opportunity to capture their high school memories. And again, the art studio application was just to provide an outlet for their students to express themselves in whatever manner they seemed fit. For me, that was exceptionally well done. People can naturally sense when a cause is truly for the good/benefit of someone else, and they respond to those. Because these teachers were able to do that, they were close to accomplishing their goal.
The first thing I noticed right off the bat about each of the requests was the information about the school, specifically a broad look into the financial situation. Each one mentioned the rate of free and reduced lunches as well as primary races and ethnicity of the schools. After that they move on to explain why they need what they need and and explain what/how the equipment will be used. So the first thing I think for me that I thought each one did well was how each one really hammered in and milked the reasons as to why they needed something. In this day and age, with the online giving and everything, it's easier than ever to get donations from all corners of the planet. Before, the money would typically come from the school community and the surrounding areas. But now, anyone can go online and find some cause and donate to that cause. These cases are extremely similar to each other in that regard. In addition, people tend to react to situations that are less fortunate, and, as I said, these teachers are real quick to point out that they are not as fortunate as other schools (free/reduced lunch, minority races, etc). They made sure donors knew that right off the bat, and people tend to be suckers for situations like that, the cause can earn a few extra dollars simply by appearing needy (not to say they aren't needy, b/c they are).
The other characteristic that I wanted to point out was how well the teachers made the cause about their students. The saxophone application was actually specifically for one student. All they needed was one saxophone for that one student to be able to play. The yearbook application was for new cameras and iPads to use so the students could have every opportunity to capture their high school memories. And again, the art studio application was just to provide an outlet for their students to express themselves in whatever manner they seemed fit. For me, that was exceptionally well done. People can naturally sense when a cause is truly for the good/benefit of someone else, and they respond to those. Because these teachers were able to do that, they were close to accomplishing their goal.