So, you are standing in a street, asking passers-by to support your noble cause.

Here's how NOT to do it, from today's personal experience.

1. Pick a very busy high street road, 20 minutes before the shops close.
2. Ask me if I know your organization, then explain in teacher's terms what it is, when I don't respond with a 100% accurate answer.
3. When I tell you I really have to catch the shops, and I'll catch you on the way back, avoid the remark (it's obvious that your shift ends the same time as the shops close)
4. When I propose to sign-up over the Internet, inform me that "I will make your day", and go home feeling OK!
5. When the above doesn't work, inform me that if you don't bring in a signup by the end of the day, you may lose your job.
6. When I inform you (in an annoyed manner) that I don't have my bank details with me, assume a surprised and shocked stance. We both know I'm lying to get you off my back, but it's not my fault.

So, in a nutshell, in order to get people to give you money for a good cause, belittle them, appeal to their basest of emotions (you'll go home feeling OK!), then picture it as a deal: "You give me da' money, you make ma' day, you go home feeling OK, how 'bout that? It's a win-win man!".

/Rant over.