Talk About Balls

[Bob Peale]

I'm doing that Sunday, time to read all the mail that I haven't gotten around to all week thing, and I opened the following computer generated request for donation:

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Peale,

Right now we are facing a difficult situation. Many supporters I usually count on have not made the contributions I hoped for.

There are promising cancer research projects which will not be funded this year. There are important education programs which still require substantial funding.

Can I count on you this year? Please help and make a generous contribution of $2,500 today. We all thank you.

ARE THEY KIDDING?

They want $2,500?

Requested through a blind solicitation? Who did that make sense to? You would think for that much money, somebody would be interrupting my dinner or waking me up on Saturday morning!

Don't get me wrong - we support cancer research (although we have never written them a check that big!) as well as a host of other charities, but even my school, which sometimes forgets that we have the option NOT to give, doesn't just whip off a form letter asking for 4 figures.

It makes me wonder who is directing this organization's development activities.

 

[Cheyenne]

It makes me wonder who is directing this organizations development activities.

I'd guess someone who will be looking for a new job soon.

 

[MacCortz]

Bob,

I like to take these kinds of letters and write "no thanks and take me off your mailing list" Then I send it back to them in their envolop and let them pay the postage.

Keeps future trash mail down.

 

[Barb Dwyer]

Excellent topic, Bob.

That is one of my biggest pet peeves! I have a variety of charitable organizations to which I make donations. Have been doing so for many years. I also still volunteer for 3 charities and do the whole door-to-door solicitation-thingy on their behalf that I started as a teen. So, I feel particularly pained when every organization or relief effort or group or fundraiser contacts me (in a very impersonal fashion) and tells me what amount to contribute!

This attitude is rude and obnoxious. They should be grateful for any monies that come their way. But to suggest....no...compel or coerce a specific (not to mention usually outrageous) amount is self-defeating. I imagine it turns lots of people away who would otherwise be willing to help out.

My eyes were opened wide at one such fundraising event where the organization publicly enjoins people to give more than they wish. They use tactics such as calling your name and making you stand and publicly declare your pledge. People are embarrassed into a disproportionate largesse! I find that offensive.

You can see the backlash that the whole Red Cross Sept 11 Fund fiasco has caused. First, they forced the Director to resign after she questioned their boneheaded decision to appropriate the monies in areas far afield from the WTC tragedy. Then the public got incensed when they realized that their contributions were going to fund projects that had nothing to do with their intended generosity. I don't blame them.

/soapbox rant

(That will be $2500 please and cash only)