As I begin my second career as Director of Outreach for the National Federation of the Blind, I am privileged to work to build our movement by focusing on our fundraising. We need funding to help blind people live the lives we want, and we have an obligation to fundraise on behalf of this organization which has so positively impacted so many people.

I thought I would share with you all some tips and tricks. The first tip is to "make the ask." Many people are uncomfortable asking for money. So, the easiest person to ask is yourself.

Have you donated to the National Federation of the Blind this year?  It’s easy. There are lots of ways to give. And, once you have given, you can begin your “ask” by saying something like, "I just gave to the National Federation of the Blind."

The second tip is to be specific about your story. After telling someone that you gave to the NFB, talk about how the NFB has impacted you. You can say things like, “The Federation has done so much for me by …” Then you can continue by asking if a potential donor could also give to the National Federation of the Blind to help blind people turn our dreams into reality.

And my final tip is a suggestion that you close your solicitation by explaining how simple it is to give. We appreciate all gifts. Here is a list of options:

• Go to www.nfb.org and click on our "donate now" button to give online.

• To give by mail send your check to the National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, attention: Outreach, Baltimore, MD 21230. Checks should be payable to the National Federation of the Blind.

• Participate in "Giving Tuesday" on November 29, 2016. Visit any of our social media links, and you can donate.

• Give us a vehicle by calling (855) 659-9314 or visiting nfb.org/vehicledonations.

• Join AmazonSmile and select the National Federation of the Blind as your charity. Then shop at smile.amazon.com whenever you buy from Amazon.

• Donate clothing and/or household items if you live in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, or Virginia. To schedule a pickup or locate drop-off locations, visit: www.nfbpickup.org.

​I listed only a few of the options. Just remember the biggest tip and trick is to give, and then you can ask others to do the same.