Fund raising is not begging. In begging, one person asks another for money, and the giver gets nothing in return, except perhaps to get rid of the beggar. Fund raising is providing an opportunity for people in the community to give something of value to make something of value happen. They get to feel good about the work you are doing, because without them you cannot do your work. Not everyone is in the front line, nor on the Board, nor do they have the skills or the inclination, but they can and do care, and they can help.
Ownership is a big word in fund raising.
You invested your money in the work, and something is happening. It is the partnership of the NPO and the community. The one thing that advocates get to show often is their passion for the cause. Believing that your long hours will ultimately make a difference is a very convincing argument. People do give to people.