Be friendly, be persistent. Never make an enemy. But ask everyone. Then thank them, for their membership, for their help. And then do it again.
Value balances money.
Money makes things happen. It is not begging. In begging, someone asks another for money, and the giver gets nothing in return, except maybe getting rid of the beggar. Fund raising gives the opportunity for people to give something of value to make something of value happen. They get to feel good, for without them nothing would happen.