| 7 min read Financial Assistance
Money has always been a taboo topic, so it’s no surprise that many people struggle to talk about their finances. It requires vulnerability to ask for help of any kind, and it can be especially difficult when it comes to knowing how to ask for help with money. But reaching out to others for support when you’ve fallen on hard times can truly get you back on the path to financial security. Below, learn how to let go of fear and embarrassment so you can get the financial help you need.
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Getting help with money online without fear or embarrassment
You might feel like asking for help is a sign of weakness and may be embarrassed to ask for help, but being able to express vulnerability and ask for assistance takes courage and strength. If you aren’t sure exactly how to get help, crowdfunding is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reach a lot of people at once and share your needs. By starting an online fundraiser, you can give people who care about you the opportunity to lend a hand and make a real difference in your life. Follow these five steps to learn how to ask for financial help.
How to ask for help with money online in 5 steps
1. Be honest and vulnerable in your fundraiser story
Even though it can be difficult to bare your financial details in your fundraiser story to friends and strangers alike, this is exactly what will compel others to support you. If they can understand why you desperately need help with money, they’ll be more willing to go above and beyond to donate to your cause—or even share your fundraiser with others.
- In your message asking for financial assistance, clearly explain what has led you to your current position.
- In addition to explaining the financial impact of your situation, remember to explain how this rough patch is affecting your emotional well-being.
- Describe how financial support will make a life-changing difference.
- To build trust, lay out your plan to get back on track in as much detail as possible.
Further reading: How to Ask for Donations: An 8-Step Guide
2. Make your goal clear
Tap into the psychology of giving by setting a reasonable and attainable fundraising goal. Research has shown a link between tangibility and generosity—meaning that people are more willing to give to a cause if they know their donation will make a noticeable difference.
For this reason, it’s wise to set a reasonable and attainable fundraising goal when asking for donations. If your total debt is $10,000, it might be a better idea to set an initial fundraising goal of $3,000. People will be much more willing to help when they feel like their donation can make a big impact. You can always increase your goal at any time.
3. Offer up your time
There may be some friends or family members who have questions about your financial need or would like to give you emotional support. At the end of your fundraiser story, offer to meet face-to-face with anyone who would like more information on your situation. Your willingness to be open and set aside time for them will go a long way.
4. Ask for financial counseling
Among your network of friends and family members, you’re sure to have at least a few individuals who are financially savvy and who are willing to offer you their expertise free of charge. In your fundraiser story, let your supporters know that you’re willing to accept financial advice in lieu of monetary support, or in addition to monetary support. By expressing an interest in financial literacy and the desire to learn and grow, your network of friends and family members will see you’re serious about taking charge of your future.
5. Express gratitude
One of the most important aspects of fundraising is telling your donors how thankful you are for their support. When people feel appreciated, they’ll be more willing to donate again or even tell others about your cause. You can say thank you to donors in many different and creative ways, from a fundraiser update to a handwritten fundraising letter.
Inspirational asking for help examples of individuals
If you’re still unsure of how to ask for financial help online, why not look to some real-life inspiration? The individuals below used crowdfunding on GoFundMe to raise money for their financial needs—from rent assistance to college tuition.
Ianne’s Rent Coverage Campaign
Ianne is a creative whose work spans across the arts and social justice. In the midst of the ongoing events in the world, Ianne fell behind on rent. Despite the opportunities she has been afforded with ranging from dance to theater, it’s still been hard to keep up with rent payments. She decided it was time lean on her greatest resource in life to ask for help—her friends and family. Ianne started a fundraiser and her community came together to raise over $9,000. With the funds, Ianne will be able to cover her rent for secure housing and other business expenses.
Melo’s Medical Bills
Jorge and his family absolutely love their dog, Melo. The pup has been the most important thing to them since they adopted him. Unfortunately, the vet informed the family that Melo has cancer and would need to have one of his toes amputated to keep the cancer from spreading. Additionally, Melo has an infection in his teeth and needs some dental work done. Melo’s health issues have taken a toll on the family, and on top of that, Jorge is unemployed and can’t afford Melo’s medical bills. Jorge turned to GoFundMe to start a fundraiser and over $3,300 has been raised to help Melo on his road to recovery.
Help me pay first college tuition payment
Audrey decided to follow her passions of biology and medicine and go to college to study just that, biomedical science. Having received a scholarship and numerous grants that covered her college tuition, all she had left to pay was for room and board. However, her parents didn’t have have the means to financially support her and Audrey was unable to take out a loan since she didn’t have a credit history. In an effort to make her first payment and get help with caring for her emotional support animal, Audrey started a fundraiser. Her community rallied behind her to reach her fundraising goal of $1,500 which allowed Audrey to make her payment and have leftover funds for textbooks and her emotional support cat.
Overcome your fear of asking for financial help
When there are countless people who could empathize with your situation, asking for help doesn’t have to be shameful. Whether you need help with bills, funeral expenses, or student loan debt, crowdfunding can be a lifeline. GoFundMe offers simple pricing and powerful fundraising. Why GoFundMe? In the US, there’s no fee to start or manage your fundraiser on GoFundMe. However, there is one small transaction fee per donation that covers all your fundraising needs. Everything else goes directly to your cause, because that’s what matters most. This means you can keep even more of the funds you raise and meet your fundraising goals faster. Now that you know how to ask for help when you need it, start a fundraiser and begin finding financial relief today.
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