A quick one on fundraising.
It's a weird thing asking people for money.
It's even weirder having people just give it to you.
Generally, It's at least a little awkward for everybody. I don't enjoy asking people for money, although I find that most people do enjoy giving. Thanking people is strange, it never feels quite adequate or organic. Most of the time, someone hands me a check or some cash, followed by an oddly abrupt, "Wow! Thanks!" from me. Then an awkward period where neither of us know what to say or do.
At the big picture level, it's a really cool thing. Essentially, I'm getting paid in advance for a job that I'll work, just like anybody else. The main difference is that my paychecks aren't signed by some anonymous boss or payroll department, they're signed by my friends and family. I like this. I feel connected to these people. It makes work feel more personal, more interdependent, more tribal. Less contractual, more mutual. When I look at the spreadsheet that shows me all of the donations made by all these different people, I really feel like there is a team behind me. There is some real support. Some real risk.
On the practical level, I want to say, "Why are you trusting me with this kind of money?!" I'm a little over halfway toward my fund raising goal. That means that you folks, friends and family and some acquaintances, have invested over $10,000 in me. Ten grand! Some of you have just written checks for huge sums without batting an eye. Some of you don't even know me very well! It's crazy! I want to tell people that if you knew what kind of bonehead I am, you would think twice before trusting me with any kind of cash.
Long story short, I want to say that I take your donations seriously. Where people put their money is no joke. I intend to use it to the best of my ability, and to be the best representative I can for all of you. Thank you. If you want to still donate, there is a link on the right under the progress bar. You can follow that, or go here.
Weirdly enough, I don't feel worried about the rest of the money. Throughout the process, I've never felt very concerned that I wouldn't raise enough or that the money wouldn't be there. It is wild to watch it come together, but I firmly believe that ours is a God of abundance, and there will be enough.
Love,
-Greg
