Lessons from my fundraising efforts for Isha Vidhya

My eleven lessons from fundraising for Isha Vidhya during the Mt Everest Base Camp ( twice), 50kms Bangalore Ultra, Mumbai Marathon, 100kms Nilgiris Ultra Marathon and Mt Annapurna Base Camp, Ladakh trek, Bhutan Trek, Mt Kilimanjaro summit

1. PURPOSE: I chose Isha Vidhya as a cause, because that was very dear

to me. I strongly believe that real positive change can happen only when

we educate our underprivileged children and empower them with life

skills. This purpose resonated with many people in my networks.

When people clearly see your purpose, they connect better with it.

2. PASSION: I engaged 110% into the cause of Isha Vidhya, rather than

supporting various causes or organizations. I went to a school in

Coimbatore to understand first hand what is happening in the school,

its various challenges and also the amazing positive result of all the

investments people are making in it.

When you are passionate about the cause, it shines through and

through, right from the fundraising document.

3. PLAN: I always start with a relatively small amount as a target and

gradually keep increasing it, so that my network does not feel that it is

an impossible task. This also ensured that I felt motivated when I saw

that a significant % of the target had been met before I raised it again.

Keep achievable goals with a little stretch rather than impossible goals.

4. PERSONIFY: Instead of just mentioning the amount, I personified the

target in number of run or trek kilometers that the donor would be

supporting. This metaphor makes it more interesting as a pitch to

potential supporters.

Find your own way to make the target amount interesting.

5. PROMISE: I created a personal blog with all the previous fundraising

initiatives, my coverage in various sites and publications etc. to create

credibility for the cause. I also promised them that the trek or the run

expenses will be met out of my own pocket, and that 100% of their

donation would go for the cause.

Assure people that their hard earned money is not being misused.

6. PROMOTE: I actively used various social networks like Twitter,

Facebook and WhatsApp to connect with the wider network. I learnt

that timing the fundraiser appeal to the early morning on the weekend

or end of day on weekdays works better, since people are in the right

frame of mind. Also Friday morning appeals work well, since it puts

make-a-donation on people’s weekend job lists.

Learn what social posts and times work best for your community.

7. PAN OUT: I did not request only for donations. I also requested

acquaintances and friends to spread the message on their networks. So,

to people who had already made a donation (or did not wish to make a

donation), this was another easy way of helping me.

Go beyond your immediate network and do not limit to known people

8. PERSONALIZE: I kept a target of sending 10 personalized emails to

people in my mailing list, each day for thirty days. This helped them

feel special, because of which, these people are the first ones to donate

to the cause. Interestingly, they also ensured that your fundraiser starts

with bigger individual contributions, which puts subtle pressure on the

people who follow.

A call or an email works best, if you know the person.

9. PRIZE: Over various initiatives, I also understood that giving a small

token of appreciation towards their contribution goes a very long way.

This was as simple as a postcard from the mountains with a thank you

note or a small A4 poster with names of contributors and Isha Vidhya

logo or a picture taken at the end of the run or trek and emailing them

the same. This return gesture made donors feel they were a part of my

journey.

Think about some unique, yet practical token of your appreciation.

10. PAYOFF: I saw that it made a difference when I gave the donors the

‘option’ of seeing the impact that their donation has made. Many did

not wish to know, but were reassured that they had that choice, if they

needed to know. For the people who did wish to see the impact, it gave

them a feel-good emotion that is important for future support.

Complete the feedback loop of the result of the donation

11. PRACTICE: The first time is always the toughest. After that, you keep

learning new tricks. Some work, some do not, and that is the fun of the

process. And, after some time, you actually look forward to the next

fund raising initiative.

Have fun in the process. This is not a JOB to be done

No friction only flow

As the New Year 2019 has begun, there is a lot of excitement lined up in life 

For a start after almost 13 years of meandering around various countries we landed up in our home in Mumbai, renovated it to a zen abode with rustic earthy elements and a spacious nest of 700sq ft for comfortable easy living

Thankfully we have not settled into anything including the renovated home and there is a huge spiritual growth opportunity in this unknown 

We conducted a few traditional and energizing  rituals  to cleanse and bring about wellbeing and positive divine vibrations in our home and most importantly within ourself

There is a definite calmness and relaxation in this abode the moment we are there over weekends, we leave behind the humdrum and enter a zone of tranquility within

Alongside I am gearing up for the 8 days complete silence program  at Isha www.ishafoundation.org in March and daily practises have become intense with suryanamaskar hatha yoga, shakti chalana kriya, shambhavi mahamudra, shoonya and eating positive pranic food including raw food. This has been having a huge impact in my body mind emotions and energy and leaves me fresh and strong every day

Music has become an integral part of our lives - we attended 2 amazing Indian classical concerts by Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Rahul Sharma, Ustad Nishat Khan and I am enjoying my second year carnatic violin classes

Immediately following the silence program in March,20 of us adventure yogis are gearing up to trek the Everest Gokyo region to raise money for Isha Vidhya children

There is no friction only a smooth silent flow of life with grace on our side and every breath and heartbeat overflowing with gratitude to everything and everyone

Looking forward to all the joie de vivre this year will bring!

"Mountains are calling and I must go"- John Muir

A post after a gap of almost 5 years!!! 

I have transitioned and transformed from a Running Diva to an Adventure Yogi. All thanks to the various ISHA YOGA practises

In July 2018, 8 of us summitted Mt Kilimanjaro and fundraised $15,000 for ISHA VIDHYA rural education

Here are some thoughts


Lessons I learnt from the mountains

1) we are so so so small like ants or even smaller in front of these huge giants of rock and ice. 

2) there is an immense stillness one can imbibe from them. Weathering every single external situation and standing tall and unscathed. We can aim to bring this stillness internally into our lives

3) its always always always about team work. Walking, talking, eating, sharing, caring and being there for each other. Being 100% human and genuine listening to each other and sharing our lives

4) there are no strangers only friends waiting to happen. People in the mountains work very very hard for everything and they do not complain. They live minimalistically. Makes one realise that we have too many things, life can be lived in simplicity with bare essentials 

5) Man can adapt to every single situation he is thrown into. The weather is brutally cold some times with bone chilling wind/ rain/ snow and sometimes extremely blinding hot! we find our ways to mould in and go with whatever it is

6) the only moment is “now”. Each breath and each step nothing else

7) Pole Pole- slowly slowly - bistare bistare- no rush, no urge or hurry to get anywhere. Slowing down like a tortoise we reach far beyond!

8) gratitude for everything and everyone in life. The comfort of a bed and a hot shower cannot be underestimated. After days of baby wipes and antiseptic wet wipes and camping!!! bed and shower - blissful. Things we take so much for granted

9) Singing and dancing unites everyone. The joy is unlimited and unparalleled 

10) Nature in all its various shades and glory is a divine healer. Cleans us inside out 

11) when the cause is larger than self, the mountains ( universe) makes it happen 

All mountain terrains have their own set of challenges. We can only learn from past experiences without comparing one to the other. And we can only be as much or as less prepared for them. Learning continues.........

Kailash Manasarovar with Isha Sacred Walks - 2017

Words just kept flowing in the lap of mighty mystical and energising Kailash

"A fire burns within me

A longing and desire for stillness and to just be

In the lap of Mount Kailash, a dream to transcend and obliterate boundaries I see

A dip in lake Manasarovar will wash me clean inside out and set me free

Into the embrace of grace and the divine

This small heart of mine sure does pine

Oh dear Himalaya- standing silently tall in all your glory and power

I seek you with intensity and depth of my prayer"

Let the CHI flow

In February 2018 a long cherished dream of almost 7 years came to fruition

I became a CHIRUNNING and CHIWALKING instructor for India

Danny Dreyer the master Guru who discovered ChiRunning visited India ( Mumbai) for the first time and conducted the first instructor certification workshop

It was an intense 4 days of lectures, tests, hands on experience running and training with Danny himself and we had the final test of instructing a gathering of fellow runners, following this we had video shoots of our form and the whole experience was exciting and a huge learning drill for me

I have been practicing the skill consciously ever since and also guided a few experienced runners. The whole focus on proper alignment, form, cadence using a metronome and am still learning something new every single day on the run

Looking forward to a whole new experience of joyful injury free running and also taking this valuable tool to many more