How is throwing money at you going to solve the shidduch crisis?
Two different organizations that are about making matches launched fundraisers at the same time. Neither of them said what exactly they intend to use the money for. This blog is based on what I wrote to one of them that issued a fundraising goal of about 3/4 of a million dollars.
I explained that that it comes across as rather arbitrary and abstract with no real emotional push to elicit the donation.
Honestly, I don't even know what you want the money for the way you have it set up. Is if for administrative costs? Is it to pay celebrity dating coaches to run some of your meetings? Is it to provide money for engagement rings or for clothing for a young woman to wear on dates? None of that is made clear. What are you aiming to do with the money? What tangible difference would it make?
I'd hesitate to give money to something like this when it is so vague, especially when I know that I have volunteered as an ambassador but can't do anything just because I don't know any singles who were willing to sign up and have my hands tied until I bring them in.
I suggested a different approach that I see working well every day:
Set a lot of smaller goals -- each with their own story -- and smaller amounts. It's working amazingly well for B'ezri's Chesed in real time on Whatsapp. I don't think any of the goals exceed $5K, but they can raise that in just 3 hours sometimes with a lot of small donations. See https://www.bezri.org/
So instead of just having a general "Let's help couples" without explaining exactly what the money is going to do and a goal of over $699K, you can break it down to more concrete ends of what the money is used for and focus on one story at a time. Alternatively, you can let people decide to donate to the particular concrete end they prefer.
I also recommend that instead of pouring resources into recruiting people to act as matchmakers who can't even do anything until they recruit singles to the site that you offer events that attract the singles. Perhaps funding can be earmarked for that.
For example, you can offer incentives like "Dinner on us" for all second dates. First dates are usually not dinners, and the second date is pretty important to avert dropping people just based on looks or other superficial first impressions. If dinner at a restaurant is covered for second dates, they'd have an inducement to go out again. After that, it would be up to them if they feel it worthwhile to continue.
I also think that everyone should think outside the box of typical singles events. Instead of the highly pressured speed-dating setups, you can have people approach and get to know people more naturally in a more generally directed activity, especially one that allows them to move around and have time to observe without always talking.
Bird watching is great for that, and Israel is a great place to do it in. Get a guide -- many would volunteer to do this for free-- to find the place, set the time, and lead the group while talking about the birds in an area. I know it sounds nerdy, but you'll find many articles and videos on Gen Z's rediscovery of bird watching.
You can also have them go on something else like food foraging tours or walking tours that cover places historical interest. It shouldn't be too intense or physically strenuous but interesting enough that there is something to engage interest and possibly elicit questions that could lead to conversations. The point is just to have a group of singles with about the same number of men and women in the right age group come together for an activity that is low pressure and offers something of value -- even if they don't find their bashert that time.
Then for those who make it to engagement, you can lend out the various accessories -- pillar candles, vases, champagne glasses, signs, etc. --typically used to stage engagements today. It can be quite costly to buy for an individual. There may already be gmachs that offer them, but why not set up some gemachs under your own organization's name for it in key locations?
That's something very concrete you can ask people to donate to. Even better than just asking for money is asking if they'd like to donate the things they've used for their own engagements to reuse them. Then maybe the money can go for fresh flower bouquets and the sparkling wine they may pour out.
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