The best, easiest, most effective way to fundraise is to simply ask. That's right, asking is the best method not concerts or even puppy hugging sales. Forgive the marketing metaphor, but you have a good product: human rights.

If you ask people to support human rights by signing a letter or petition, you can ask them to complete the support by helping buy postage. Here are practical hints for making fundraising a routine and easier part of your group's work.

Ask for the Donation
Don't wait for donors to take the initiative. If you want a donation, you must ask for it. Everyone you talk to about Amnesty should be asked to join. Anyone who signs a petition or letter should be asked to pay for the postage to mail it off.

Stress the Need
Show that human rights work - research, documentation, postage, etc. - is expensive. Figure out what it costs to run your group and make those numbers available.

Every Donation is an Appeal for Human Rights
Let people know they are part of the solution. Make it clear that every cent is putting pressure on governments to stop human rights abuses. Every donation, no matter how small, helps fight injustice.

Many People Want to give to AI
You are fulfilling a need. Contributing to humanitarian organizations makes people feel good. Not everyone has the time to do everything they want, so buy giving you money they feel they are doing something. If you don't ask, you don't give them the opportunity to give.

Integrate Fundraising into ALL Your Activities
Fundraising is a numbers game. For every yes, there will be four no's. So don't sweat the no's, keep asking other people until you get to the yes. Use every fundraising event to generate appeals, create publicity or reach out to the community. Likewise, use every campaigning event to raise some funds.

Enjoy Yourself
Although AI's concerns are serious, to be effective in your work you will have to have fun. If you don't, you will burn out. Before you burn out, you will give off negative body language (also known as "bad vibes"). Have fun and the enthusiasm will help your appeals.

Be Persistent
Keep asking for money. People who have supported AI on one occasion will realize that money is always needed. If a particular fundraising source or project was successful once, try it again. If a source wasn't successful on the first ask, don't give up. The person's cat could have died, they just flunked Organic Chemistry for the third time, or they were broke. Circumstances could change so keep trying. If someone couldn't give a $10 donation, ask for a $5 one. You never know.