70 and Thriving: Woman Raises Funds for Local Nonprofit on Milestone Birthday

As Mary-Elaine's 70th birthday approached, she reflected on how grateful and blessed she was to have good health. Then she had a brilliant idea – she decided to launch a fundraiser in honor of her birthday for the Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence (DAASV). You won't believe what happened next.

Mary-Elaine Perry serves as the board president of the Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence (DAASV). The organization serves survivors of sexual violence in the State of Delaware, and the work is very near to Mary-Elaine’s heart.

A few weeks before her birthday, she launched the fundraiser via the DEGives.org website. On DEGives.org, she created a donation page where people could contribute online directly to DAASV. “With the DEGives platform, it was easy,” says Mary Elaine. She set a goal to raise $700 in honor of her 70th birthday.

“I hope $700 isn’t too ambitious,” she thought! But she pressed on and began to share her fundraiser with friends and family. To get the word out, she did two things: sent an email to friends and family and posted about the fundraiser on her Facebook profile.

“I emailed a bunch of people,” says Mary-Elaine, “Family and friends I had known a long time and a short time.” On Facebook, she posted a picture of herself, told her story, and shared why the work of DAASV is important to her. She included a link to the DEGives.org page. You can check it out here: https://www.degives.org/orgs/delaware-alliance-against-sexual-violence

What happened next blew her away!

Mary-Elaine received an email every time someone donated to the fundraiser. Very quickly, the emails started rolling in! “I was touched by the people who chose to donate – some I have known for a long time. I felt loved.”

A couple who had just moved into her neighborhood made a donation. “I would have never expected them to make a donation,” says Mary-Elaine, “but they did!”

Mary-Elaine’s older sister knew how big this birthday was for her. She was trying to come up with the perfect gift. At that very moment, she got the email from Mary-Elaine about the fundraiser! She knew this would be a special way to honor her sister’s birthday, so she gave a generous donation.

On her fundraising page, Mary-Elaine could generate a report to see who donated. “I went on and pulled their names and addresses so I could send them thank you cards.”

In a matter of days, 19 people donated. Some gave $25, some gave $70! Two generous donors gave $175 directly to DAASV. By the time her 70th birthday came, Mary-Elaine had surpassed her goal and raised $1,100!

If you’re thinking about doing something similar for your own birthday or special event, Mary-Elaine has some encouragement for you. “I would say cast a wide net of who you might invite to contribute! Let people know that any amount they offer will help your organization.”

Mary-Elaine was able to “spur impact” by sharing the work of DAASV with her circle of influence. Together, they made a big impact in a short window of time!