On-the-job learning: My first in-person fundraising speech

Dhaka - Dubai - Washington DC - Seattle - Dallas - Washington DC - Dubai - Dhaka! 

This was my life from November 27 to December 10, 2024 - seven flights in 12 days, hopping on a plane almost every other day. It was exciting, and exhausting all at once. But something amazing happened during this crazy schedule - I gave my first-ever in-person fundraising speech! 

I had done an online speech last year during a Giving Tuesday event, but that was a group effort, and I wasn’t the only one asking for donations. This time, it was just me, standing there alone, presenting one of our projects and asking the audience to support it. 

And here’s the twist: I wasn’t even supposed to give the speech!  

I found out just one day before Spreeha Foundation's Benefit Concert by Spreeha Dallas Chapter - right in the middle of my travel from Seattle to Dallas - that I’d be presenting our commitment to establish a network of hyper-local, tech-enabled urgent care centers to improve access to healthcare for all. Our founder Tazin Shadid has a habit of springing these sudden surprises on us - and honestly, it’s because he truly believes in his team. He loves to put his trust in us, knowing that stepping up to unexpected challenges is one of the best ways to grow.  

[Don't worry, he gave me enough time to prepare, 24-hours! He knew I could pull this off, and I knew if I did any blunder my team will be there to back me up! So, the trust was there.]  

Still, you can imagine my panic! The event featured three amazing bands, the energy in the room was electric, and I was expected to speak in between their sets. My first thought was, Why would anyone want to listen to me when the music is this good? 

Then came my second worry: Why would anyone care about terms like "network," "urgent care center," "healthcare," "hyper-local," or "tech-enabled"? It all sounded so formal and dry compared to the fun, vibrant atmosphere in the room. I had to figure out how to make it real, relatable, and worth their attention. 

What was my game plan?  

Own the space...  

Confidence was key - I couldn’t afford to seem unsure. So, I got to the venue early and made myself at home. While the bands rehearsed, I hopped on stage a few times to get comfortable. I even ran in between seats just to make sure that I am comfortable connecting with the audience at their level, if I had to. 

The sound team became my allies. A quick intro, learning their names, and some friendly chats made all the difference. During the event, I thanked them by name when asking for sound adjustments or video cues. 

These small moves made sure it wasn’t just about standing on the stage; it was about owning it. 

Start with something fun and relatable... 

My speech was sandwiched between two band performances - a tricky spot to lose the audience’s interest. I knew I had to grab their attention fast with something fun and unexpected. So, I started with: “Who likes to microwave popcorn?” 

That question got some laughs and curious looks, but it wasn’t random. It was my way to present the reality I wanted them to understand: the time it takes to microwave a bag of popcorn - luxurious junk food - is often longer than the time people in Dhaka get with their doctors. On average, it’s just 48 seconds per consultation, thanks to infrastructural challenges. It was simple, relatable, and made them sit up and listen. 

Keep it simple with fewer jargons... 

One of the most important things I reminded myself during the speech was to keep it simple. There was no room for jargons like "hyper-local," "tech-enabled," or "urgent care" - these weren’t going to connect with the audience in that moment. 

So, I used the old trick: explain your work as if you’re telling it to your 80-year-old grandpa. I imagined how I’d explain it to someone with no background in healthcare or technology. The goal was to make the message clear and relatable for everyone, no matter their age or expertise. I focused on the bigger picture - how our work directly impacts people’s lives in a simple, human way. That way, everyone in the room, whether they were experts or not, could easily understand and feel connected to what we were doing. 

Pitch one thing at a time... 

At Spreeha Foundation, we have multiple healthcare projects, each tackling a different aspect of the system. And while people are often interested in various parts of healthcare, I knew I couldn’t overwhelm them with all the details at once. 

So, I focused on pitching just one thing - our commitment to building a network of urgent care centers. By 2028, we plan to establish 100 centers right within communities, improving access to quality healthcare for everyone. This ambitious project aims to serve 6.2 million people. I wanted the audience to walk away clear on one key message, rather than a mix of ideas. By drawing that line and keeping it simple, I could ensure they’d be more likely to connect with and remember what we’re working to achieve. 

Include the audience... 

To keep the audience engaged, I made sure to involve them throughout the speech. After every five sentences or so, I’d ask a simple question. It wasn’t always about the project itself - sometimes it was as basic as, “Can you see me?” or “Am I audible to you?” 

This helped break up the flow, gave the audience a chance to react, and made them feel included in the conversation. It kept the energy in the room flowing and reminded everyone that we were in this together, creating a shared experience. 

Fundraising is not always about money... 

In my 8 years at Spreeha, I’ve learned that fundraising isn’t just about money. I made sure the audience understood that too - it’s about coming together for a shared cause (Our secret sauce: collaboration is the 4th pillar of Spreeha's all programming and activities). Yes, money plays a big role, but it’s not the only way to contribute. Fundraising can also mean building partnerships, offering in-kind support, sharing expertise, or even spreading the word. 

I wanted everyone in that room to feel like they had a part to play - whether it was through a donation or simply supporting in another meaningful way. It’s all about creating a community united by the mission. 

What happened after the speech? 

To my surprise, people really listened. As I spoke, I saw their faces change - smiling, nodding, and connecting with the stories I was sharing. By the end of the night, I spoke with a bunch of new people, wanting to help either through donations or in-kind support. Even better, we secured 5 solid pledges to help build urgent care centers, and more promising conversations are in the works!

That night, in a room full of music and energy, I found my voice as a fundraiser - and it felt incredible. I was reminded that people are generally eager to help; they want to give back when given the right opportunities. And I have to say, all of that warmth and generosity? It’s all thanks to Dallas! The city’s hospitality truly has a level of its own. To a greater extent, that’s why I found the courage and inspiration to deliver my first-ever fundraising speech!