Why we do what we do - a Personal Note

Recently, I was meeting with a client about their upcoming Gala.  During the meeting, sitting with over 20 of their committee, one of their members expressed their concern about our services, mainly our No Risk Auction Items.  In fact, he said “George this seems too good to be true” as if I were wolf in sheep's clothing.  I asked him why he thought that and he asked “Well, how do you make money because your prices are very low.”  I simply gave him the response I give those who ask the same question “It’s good and it’s true, but it’s not too good to be true.”  I also answered the low prices question by telling him that we, BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, are not retailers so we don’t have to pay high rents for a store etc.  Plus we offer so many items in a “One Stop Shop” that we don’t have to make a lot of money on one certain category – it’s all about volume to us.  And when I said this – this prompted this blog – He then asked “Well, why then are you doing this if you’re not trying to make a million dollars?” 

When I was asked that question, I had to pause for a second and replied with this “We just want to help.”  We just want to help…The committee couldn’t believe it, prompting applause.  I was humbled honestly, but it made me think about exactly the reason why I started our company and why we are not out to scam anyone.  Here is why we do what we do: 

A long time ago, my wife and I volunteered for a charity that was raising money for wildlife that does not exist on the east coast of the United States.  We didn’t agree to help the charity based on the charity and its mission, we were helping our friends who were a part of the committee.  Through that charity, we learned how to become extremely successful fundraisers.  We were applauded all across North America, receiving national recognition.  Now, you should understand that we were the #1 fundraisers in North America for wildlife that did not exist anywhere near Maryland.  Furthermore, Maryland is a very small state, yet we were raising more money than anyone involved in that charity, which is very large.  To the charity, it just didn’t make sense why we were raising so much money in a state where people hardly knew what the animal was – raising Net profit of $100,000.00 at one single event.  We had also did the same for another wildlife charity with the very first event - $83,000.00 profit. I was just really good at fundraising, can't tell you why, but I was.

But to ask why we did it – the answer is clear – because we enjoyed it.  We were volunteers – profiting nothing from it.  I was a Maryland State Trooper then – working shift work and holidays.  Then a friend came to me and said “You are the best fundraiser in the country, why don’t you start a business?”  I thought about it for a while and after many months, we decided to give it a try. 

Ever since the beginning of BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, it’s never been about us making money – it’s always been about helping charities no matter where they are.  From the two charities above, I learned the significance of having great items for the fundraising platforms (Live & Silent Auctions, Raffles).  From there, we learned about the right and wrong ways of fundraising.  We know that people trying to raise money do not do it full time; they do their very best but with very little experience. 

So the answer why is....because we have the background and experience to greatly help charities and most especially the people tasked with fundraising.  Why not is honestly how to answer it!!!

We want to help in a small part to raise money for all the incredible charities out there…we are doing our part.  We want to give back to medical charities, Veterans charities etc.   

Then, through our experience in the fundraising world, we learned about how to put maximum profit in our pockets by providing fraudulent or counterfeit autographs – something we will not do.  We learned about how other businesses scam charities or use a “Bait & Switch” tactic – which we refuse to do.  We also learned how some businesses ask for extremely high prices from charities – putting more money in their pockets instead of into the mission of the charity.  We compared their prices to ours – sometimes 3 to 4 times more expensive.  We just could not sleep at night.   

Why do we do what we do?  Because honestly, we just want to help.  Help by providing excellent advice, help by providing fantastic items for charities to raise money with.  Just give back…help for the mere fact that we want just to help.  In fact, one of the things that I always tell other business people when they ask, we concentrate ourselves on customer service and providing great items and service, profit for our company is merely a bi-product.  Unlike other companies, we are not centered on how much money we can and could make, it’s our client’s profit that matters to us most. 

Thank you for the chance to help you…we guarantee that we will not lose track on what BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising was founded on – Integrity and Helping those who need the help the most. 

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising was founded by George and Jeanne Wooden.  Get to know us here at this link - About Us.  George is a retired Maryland State Trooper and a former United States Marine.  George served our country proudly for four (4) years and has lived a life of service.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising was founded on “Integrity” and one simple statement “Charity First.”  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising assists over 1,400 charities each year all across North America and continues to serve more and more each year.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a leader in charity fundraising in North America in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  If we can help you and your charity, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com – we look forward to hearing from you.