If you want to change the world, you have to know how to pay for it.

Most people hate fundraising. They hate doing it, they hate having it done to them, they even hate talking about it. Why? Because money is awkward. It’s uncomfortable no matter which end of the ask you’re on, but it’s important. Great ideas don’t fund themselves. Fantastic social change and environmental revolution don’t run on willpower alone. Money is crucial to the creation and sustainment of any project, business, startup, policy, and movement.

Most people will never be forced to fundraise and the people in that lucky bunch can count their blessings but if you’re an entrepreneur or social impact evangelist you will definitely have to endure the unpleasant task of raising money for a cause. Before you throw in the towel because you’re “no good at sales” or more likely just don’t care enough to hone this skill, remember that there is a silver lining. Fundraising doesn’t have to be awful.

In her funny and super action-oriented TEDx Talk, fund development expert Kara Logan Berlin discusses the importance of fundraising, why she loves it, and how we can all get better at it.

“Real change and impact…