Running for office is exciting. You have big ideas, real solutions, and the drive to make a difference. But then reality hits: you need money to fund your campaign. And suddenly, that excitement turns into anxiety.

If you're feeling uncomfortable about asking people for money, you're not alone. Fundraising is one of the biggest mental blocks for new candidates, especially those from underrepresented communities who might not have grown up in wealthy circles or political families.

You might be thinking things like "I hate asking people for money" or "What if they say no?" Maybe you're worried people will think you're greedy or self-promoting. These feelings are completely normal, but they don't have to stop you from running a successful campaign.

Feeling uncomfortable doesn't mean you're bad at fundraising—it means you're human. But once you understand what fundraising really is and why it matters, you can move past the discomfort and start building the financial support you need to win.

Why Fundraising Feels So Hard

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand why fundraising feels so difficult in the first place. Most of the discomfort comes from deep-seated beliefs about money and worth that many people carry around without even realizing it.

Internalized Beliefs About Money

Many people grow up with the idea that talking about money is rude or shameful. You might have heard phrases like "money is the root of all evil" or "it's not polite to discuss finances." These messages can make asking for money feel wrong, even when it's for a good cause.

There's also the belief that "if they really supported me, they'd offer without being asked." This sounds logical, but it's not how the world works. People are busy, distracted, and dealing with their own challenges. Even your biggest supporters might not think to donate unless you ask them directly.

Another common thought is "I'm not worth investing in." This is especially true for first-time candidates who might doubt their own qualifications or feel like imposters in the political world. But you decided to run for a reason. You have something valuable to offer, and people need to hear about it.

Identity-Based Barriers

Candidates from underrepresented groups often face additional challenges when it comes to fundraising. If you haven't grown up around wealth or political connections, asking for money can feel especially uncomfortable. You might worry about being judged or feel like you don't belong in spaces where political fundraising typically happens.

There are also cultural factors at play. Some communities have strong taboos around discussing money, power, or personal ambition. These cultural values are important, but they can make political fundraising feel like a betrayal of your roots.

Past experiences with rejection, shame, or class dynamics can also create barriers. If you've ever felt judged for your economic background or been made to feel "less than" because of your financial situation, asking for money can trigger those painful memories.

The Fear of Rejection

Let's be honest: rejection hurts. Nobody likes to be told no, especially when they're putting themselves out there for something they care deeply about. The fear of rejection can be so strong that it stops people from asking at all.

But here's what's important to understand: "no" doesn't always mean "I don't support you." It could mean "not right now," "not in that amount," or "I need more information first." Sometimes people say no because they're dealing with their own financial challenges, not because they don't believe in your campaign.

Reframing the Ask: It's Not About You

The key to overcoming fundraising discomfort is changing how you think about the ask itself. Instead of seeing it as begging or self-promotion, try thinking of it as an invitation.

You're Building Something Bigger Than Yourself

When you ask for money, you're not asking for a personal favor. You're asking people to invest in your vision, your values, and your community. You're giving them a chance to be part of something meaningful and to help create the change they want to see.

Think about it this way: people donate to causes they care about all the time. They give to charities, schools, and community organizations because they want to make a difference. Your campaign is no different. You're offering people a way to support the issues they care about by supporting you.

People Want to Help—But They Need to Be Asked

Here's something that might surprise you: people actually want to help candidates they believe in. But they're not mind readers. They need to be asked directly and given clear information about how they can help.

When you don't ask, you're actually making the decision for them. You're assuming they can't or won't give, without giving them the chance to prove you wrong. That's not fair to them or to your campaign.

Money Is Just One Way People Show Support

Remember that asking for money isn't the only way people can support your campaign. They can volunteer, share your posts on social media, put up yard signs, or talk to their friends and family about your campaign. Money is just one tool in a bigger toolkit of support.

This perspective can help take some of the pressure off. You're not asking people to prove their loyalty with their wallets. You're asking them to contribute in whatever way they can, and for some people, that contribution might be financial.

Practical Strategies to Build Confidence

Now that you understand why fundraising feels hard and how to reframe it, let's talk about practical strategies for building confidence and making authentic asks.

Start With Your Story

Before you ask anyone for money, make sure you can clearly explain why you're running and what's at stake. Your story is your most powerful fundraising tool because it helps people understand why your campaign matters.

Think about these questions:

What problem are you trying to solve?
What personal experiences led you to run?
What will happen if you don't win?
What will change if you do win?

Your story should be authentic and specific. Instead of saying "I want to make things better," explain exactly what you want to improve and why it matters to real people in your community.

For example, maybe you're running for school board because your own child struggled in overcrowded classrooms, or you're running for city council because your neighborhood lacks safe places for kids to play. These personal connections make your campaign feel real and urgent.

Write and Practice a Simple Ask

Once you have your story down, you need to practice making the actual ask. Write out a simple, clear request that includes:

Who you are and why you're running
What you need the money for
How much you're asking for
When you need it by

Here's an example: "Hi Sarah, I'm running for city council because I believe we need real change on affordable housing. We've built a strong grassroots team, but we need to raise $500 this week to print flyers and reach voters in the downtown area. Would you consider making a $25 donation today?"

Notice how specific this ask is. It's not vague or wishy-washy. It tells the person exactly what you need, why you need it, and how their contribution will help.

Practice this ask out loud until it feels natural. You can practice with friends, family members, or even in front of a mirror. The more you practice, the more confident you'll sound when you make the real ask.

Start With Warm Asks

Don't jump straight into asking strangers for money. Start with people who already know and support you: friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues. These "warm asks" are easier because you already have a relationship with these people.

Make a list of everyone you know who might be interested in supporting your campaign. Don't pre-judge who can or can't give. You might be surprised by who steps up to help.

When you're making warm asks, you can be more personal and conversational. You might say something like, "Hey Mom, you know how passionate I am about improving our schools. I'm running for school board, and I'm hoping you might consider making a small donation to help get my campaign off the ground."

Focus on Your Win Number, Not Winning Everyone

Here's a crucial mindset shift: you don't need everyone to say yes. You need enough people to say yes to reach your fundraising goals.

Let's say you need to raise $1,000 and you're asking for $25 donations. That means you need 40 people to say yes. If you ask 100 people and 40 say yes, you've succeeded—even though 60 people said no.

This is called your "win number," and focusing on it can help reduce the sting of rejection. Every "no" gets you closer to finding the people who will say "yes."

Practice Mindset Swaps

When negative thoughts about fundraising pop up, practice replacing them with more positive alternatives:

Instead of "I hate asking," try "I'm inviting people into this movement."

Instead of "They probably can't give," try "I'll let them decide what they can give."

Instead of "I feel awkward," try "This is a skill I'm learning, not a talent I lack."

Instead of "I'll do it later," try "Asking now helps us win sooner."

These mindset swaps take practice, but they can help shift your thinking from negative to positive.

Normalize Rejection

Rejection is part of the fundraising process, not a reflection of your worth as a candidate. Even the most successful politicians hear "no" more often than they hear "yes."

When someone says no, try to understand that it's not necessarily about you or your campaign. People have their own financial constraints, priorities, and situations that affect their ability to donate. A "no" today might become a "yes" tomorrow, or it might lead to support in other ways.

Keep track of both your yeses and your nos. Celebrate the people who do support you, and don't dwell on the ones who don't. Remember: you're building a coalition of supporters, not trying to win a popularity contest.

Make It Easy to Give

Once someone says yes to your ask, make it as easy as possible for them to follow through. Have multiple payment options available: online donation forms, payment apps like Venmo, or even the ability to accept cash or checks.

Send follow-up information quickly. If someone agrees to donate during a phone call, send them the donation link right away while they're still thinking about it.

Make sure your donation process is simple and secure. If people have to jump through hoops to give you money, some of them won't bother.

Building Long-Term Fundraising Confidence

Fundraising gets easier with practice, but there are some things you can do to build confidence over time.

Track Your Progress

Keep a simple spreadsheet or use a campaign management tool to track your fundraising efforts. Record who you've asked, what they said, and how much they gave. This helps you see your progress and identify patterns.

You might notice that certain types of asks work better than others, or that certain groups of people are more responsive. Use this information to refine your approach.

Celebrate Small Wins

Don't wait until you hit your big fundraising goal to celebrate. Acknowledge every donation, every yes, and every conversation that moves your campaign forward.

Maybe you'll celebrate your first $100 raised, or your first donation from someone you didn't know personally. These small milestones help build momentum and confidence.

Learn From Each Experience

After each fundraising conversation, take a moment to reflect on what went well and what you might do differently next time. Did you explain your story clearly? Did you make a specific ask? How did the person respond?

This isn't about beating yourself up over mistakes. It's about treating each interaction as a learning opportunity that makes you better at the next one.

Build a Support Network

Fundraising doesn't have to be a solo activity. Connect with other candidates, campaign volunteers, or political mentors who can offer advice and encouragement.

Consider finding a "fundraising buddy"—another candidate or volunteer who can practice asks with you, celebrate your successes, and help you stay motivated when things get tough.

Remember Your Why

When fundraising feels overwhelming, go back to your original motivation for running. Remember the problems you want to solve and the people you want to help. This bigger purpose can help you push through the discomfort of asking for money.

Your campaign isn't about you—it's about the change you want to create. When you keep that front and center, asking for money becomes less about personal comfort and more about serving your community.

Making Fundraising Part of Your Leadership

Here's the final reframe that can transform how you think about fundraising: asking for money is actually an act of leadership.

When you ask for money, you're doing several important things:

You're articulating a vision for the future
You're building a coalition of supporters
You're demonstrating that you can mobilize resources
You're showing that you're serious about winning

These are all leadership skills that you'll need if you win your election. The ability to ask for support, build relationships, and rally people around a common cause are exactly the skills that effective elected officials use every day.

Every Dollar Has Purpose

Remember that every dollar you raise has a direct impact on your ability to reach voters and win your election. That $25 donation helps pay for flyers that introduce you to new voters. That $50 contribution helps fund the gas money for door-to-door canvassing. That $100 gift helps pay for the website that shares your message with the community.

When you think about fundraising this way, it becomes less about asking for money and more about asking people to invest in democracy and positive change.

You're Not Selling Out—You're Stepping Up

Some people worry that asking for money means they're compromising their values or "selling out." But there's a big difference between taking money from special interests who want to influence your decisions and asking regular people to support your campaign.

When you ask community members, friends, and family to contribute, you're actually building grassroots power. You're creating a campaign that's funded by the people it aims to serve, not by wealthy donors with their own agendas.

This kind of fundraising strengthens democracy by making it possible for regular people to run for office and represent their communities' interests.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Fundraising will probably always feel a little uncomfortable—even experienced politicians still get nervous before making big asks. But that discomfort doesn't have to stop you from building the financial support you need to win.

The key is to start small, practice regularly, and remember that asking for money is really about asking people to join your movement for positive change. Every person who contributes to your campaign is saying "yes" to your vision and "yes" to the possibility of a better future.

Your community needs leaders who are willing to step up and run for office. Don't let fundraising fears keep you from being one of those leaders. The discomfort is temporary, but the change you can create is lasting.

As you move forward with your campaign, remember that courage isn't the absence of fear—it's asking anyway, because it matters. Your voice, your vision, and your leadership matter. And when you ask with purpose and authenticity, people will respond.

The money you raise isn't just funding a campaign—it's funding hope, change, and the possibility of a better tomorrow. That's something worth asking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most voters understand that campaigns require funding to operate effectively. Focus on transparency by clearly explaining how donations will be used for voter outreach, not personal expenses.
Share your campaign budget openly and emphasize that you're investing time and energy into serving the community, not profiting from it.
Set clear boundaries by being upfront about your campaign role versus personal relationships. Give people permission to say no without explanation, and respect their decision completely. Consider having a trusted friend or family member make asks to mutual contacts to preserve your personal relationships.
Research typical donation amounts in your area and offer multiple giving levels ($25, $50, $100). Let donors choose their comfort level rather than guessing. You can say "any amount helps" while suggesting a specific range. It's better to start lower and have someone give more than to ask too high and get nothing.
Remember that you're offering people a chance to participate in democracy, not forcing them. Send one clear ask, then follow up only once unless they express interest.
Use language like "if this resonates with you" or "no pressure either way" to give people an easy out while still making your needs known.
Practice your ask until it becomes second nature, but also prepare for nerves by having a written version you can reference. It's okay to acknowledge your nervousness—saying "I'm still getting comfortable with this, but..." can actually make you more relatable.
If you freeze, take a breath and remember that most people appreciate authenticity over polish. You can always follow up with a text or email if the conversation doesn't go as planned.

Fundraising Fears: How to Get Over the Discomfort of Asking for Money