Insights from Miss America’s Fundraising Elite

By DARCIE A. FISHER

Engaging with three of this year’s top fundraisers within the Miss America Opportunity, we asked them to share their strategies behind asking for donations. While their approaches are different, there is something to be learned from each of them.

In just two years competing, Miss Vermont’s Teen 2023, Ginger Ragaishis, raised over $87,000 for Miss America initiatives. “I take a very personal approach when asking for money,” said Ginger. “I email, text, or call people individually rather than sending a group message. People are more likely to feel valued and needed when the ask is personal and heartfelt.”

Miss Georgia, Tara Schiphoff, raised over $20,000 in one month for the Ladies Who Launch initiative and took a very different approach to her fundraising. “The best advice I’ve been given is if you’re the smartest and most successful person in the room, you’re in the wrong room,” said Tara. “I push myself to be in rooms with successful individuals who have created wealth for themselves and surround myself with people I want to be like and people who can help me.” Rather than concentrate on family and friends, Tara put herself in environments with people who were in a position to give back. “Getting into these environments can be the difference between raising $5,000 and $40,000,” said Tara.

Erin Rolfe, Miss Kansas’s Teen 2023, finished in first place among teens in the Ladies Who Launch initiative. Her advice is something shared by all three. “You can’t be afraid to ask,” said Erin. “Ask everyone you know. Don’t let the no’s bother you.”

Finally, always remember to thank your donors. Ginger took the personal approach there as well, sending personalized thank-you cards by mail. “People enjoyed following my journey in this program, and they saw the growth in me,” said Ginger. “Those personalized thank-you cards even led to some people being repeat donors.”