[Foundation-l] Fundraising season launch

[Gerard Meijssen]

Sebastian Moleski wrote:
> On 10/10/06, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>>> Is this meant to imply that we should not look for donors who aren't
>>> actively involved in our projects?
>>>
>>> Sebastian Moleski
>>>       
>> Hoi,
>> I would say that if we can target specific donors in a way in which it
>> makes sense to them, that would be better. I will ask some of the
>> organisations that I am involved in if they would be so kind and
>> consider donating things.. My request to them will be more personal than
>> the standard request for help .. Some of these potential donors may be
>> not active at all involved in any of the WMF projects.
>> Thanks,
>>     GerardM
>>
>>     
>
> This is what I was trying to get at. I think there are a lot of potential
> donors that know fo Wikimedia (mostly through Wikipedia I'd imagine) who
> would be willing to support our cause even if they aren't active themselves.
> We shouldn't hesitate to make use of that potential for the benefit of the
> foundation and all its projects.
>
> Regards,
>
> Sebastian Moleski
Hoi,
The only thing you have to be careful about is HOW YOU ASK IT. You can 
not say that you are Wikimedia Foundation. You are not. You should also 
only approach those organisations you know personally. When you start 
sending mails or e-mails in the dark, you are in effect spamming. This 
is something you should do only when you /do /represent the WMF 
officially or one of it's chapters.

I have seen a mailing that was not either by the WMF or a chapter and it 
gave me a sinking feeling because imho it made it hard for either WMF or 
the Dutch chapter to ask for money. You need to be careful.

Thanks,
    GerardM