Last entry we covered Personal Pledges. Those are great as an individual and encouraging people to do that is really powerful. It helps people see that the circumstances of their lives can align to support their goals, even when it seems impossible at first.

Its amazing what $10 can prove to people. Also, the feeling that people get when they give to something important to them is huge.

When I got started with Keep the Arts In Public Schools our average giving was around $400 per week. We now average around $1000 per week and its going up.

Another place to encourage people to go is to set-up a monthly contribution. This can make a huge difference for a Cause that genuinely wants to have an impact. With a membership that regularly contributes $10 a month, instead of twice or three times a year, the possible leverage can quadruple.

Our membership (they probably don't even know this) have been recognized in national newspapers for their level of contribution, and most of them only give once or twice a year. Imagine if our Million plus membership gave $10 each a month.

That would generate enough revenue to support the Department of Education and then some. So encourage monthly contributions. The people who do it claim a peace of mind from it that cannot be replaced.

For you, as leader in a Cause, you get to play more creatively is in setting Large Goals for the entire Cause and in creating Donor Matches.

I'll jump into those in the next couple of days.

For now, get comfortable in the whole giving conversation. The thing to remember about money when it comes to a Cause is that is simply supports increased awareness.

Don't be shy to ask for increased awareness in the form of financial contributions. When you are aligned with a goal that people can feel, they'll happily contribute.