Using Yoga to Fundraise for Compassionate Causes
Using Yoga to Fundraise for Compassionate Causes
Following Jesus as a Christian is more than attending church once a week. It involves living a life of service. A Christian yoga teacher is more than speaking words from the Bible when on the mat. A Christian yoga teacher demonstrates heart-filled service both on and off the mat. Susanna Barkataki, founder of the Ignite Institute for yoga leadership and social change, holds the belief that yoga is a powerful instrument in bringing about societal changes that address discrimination and support marginalized communities. As stated in her book, Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice, “If our thought, speech, or action is not bringing us right there, toward connection, it is not yoga.”
Throughout his life, Jesus challenged the status quo through his service to others, those who were ignored and excluded from society. Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated love and acceptance to people shunned from society, such as dining with tax collectors, resulting in inviting Zacchaeus and Levi into discipleship. Jesus communicated that God’s salvation is intended more for outcasts and sinners than it is for the righteous. Providing service-oriented projects and using yoga to fundraise for compassionate causes is exactly what an obedient follower of Christ looks like on and off the mat.
Raising money through various events is important, but what is of greater importance to the Christian yoga community is the heartfelt intention behind the event and raising awareness of an important need. Similar to titles and offerings at church, fundraising events need to be done with passion and dedication. As stated in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV), “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Be guided by heart over amount.
Yet even though giving may come naturally to Christian yoga teachers, they may struggle with how to organize an event and cultivate the partnerships that will be most beneficial. Additionally, Christian yoga teachers and organizations may struggle with promoting such events due to maintaining a humble attitude. Leading a nonprofit makes it easier than being an individual yoga teacher since nonprofit organizations are guided by the mission and vision that most likely are aligned with acts of kindness and compassion. Nevertheless, the guidelines for suggestions are as follows:
Spend time in prayer. Listen to God provide direction in meeting the right people, organizations, and causes. Take time to truly listen to what God is saying. Follow every suggestion, including meeting new people, even if it may not make sense right away.
Be guided by your heart. Even though a particular cause may not raise as many funds as another cause, follow the one that is in your heart. Stay authentic and genuine.
Collaborate. Partner with someone else or another organization. Find one that is complementary. Many times, an organization with a complementary mission will fulfill and generate double the outpouring of support. Find another organization that does similar work or one that is complementary. An event that is shared by two organizations will share the load, split costs, and promote on both sides. It will be a win-win. When collaborating, be guided by what is found in Hebrews 13:16 (NIV), “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Do your research. There are many people and organizations out there, and many who do have good intentions, yet are not adequately equipped to lead such events. Stand firmly planted, rooted and strong in asking tough questions and having transparent conversations, to decide if it is best to collaborate and if so, how the event and partnership will be structured. Some of the questions to ask and address are: legal/tax status (nonprofit 501c3 EIN number), insurance, waivers, how the proceeds will be divided (70/30, 50/50 split), the workload involved, including social media and promotions, etc. These are just a few of the areas that need to be diplomatically addressed. It is important to have these conversations at the onset to avoid any misunderstanding later.
Document. As the phrase goes, if it is not on the calendar, it is not happening. Be sure to not only document on the front end through promotions on websites, social media platforms, and more, but also during and post-event. Doing so will help to build the network for further collaborations, fundraising events, and awareness.
Follow-ups + reciprocation = sustainability. First is follow-ups. Everyone maintains distribution lists for correspondence, newsletters, and followers on social media, yet how often is there a personalized follow-up, kindness check-ins, and asking what can be done to make events accessible? Aim to learn what might be the barriers to low interest or attendance at events. Maintain the intention of learning and being of service. Far too often, polls and surveys are sent out. Nothing wrong with acquiring statistical quantifiable data, but aim to have an individual and personalized conversation with followers. It may take time, but in the long run, it is worth it. The second way to achieve sustainability is to be reciprocal. At some point, the organization, as part of the collaboration, will have a major event. Show up, share out, and show authentic support. For example: When One Love Arizona held their annual fundraiser, the Shelter Dog Dash, a 5K where runners and walkers were encouraged to have their dogs join them, Blessings Balance Breath Yoga was there.
Thank God for the outcome. No matter how large or small, take time to thank God for simply doing good and expanding in the community. Know that it takes time to build and recognize that it will happen in God’s time. Even if an event doesn’t raise the desired fundraising goal, know that God is working and reflect on what was learned during the event.
References: Barkatami, Susanna. Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice. Ignite Yoga and Wellness Institute. October 2020.
Written by Dr. Donna Jagielski.
Dr Donna Jagielski is the founder and CEO of Blessings Balance Breath Yoga that serves underrepresented populations, especially justice-impacted youth and women.