Why do charities specify a particular donation?

I give annually to two national charities but I'm always annoyed when they send me more reaching out letters. They go in the bin. I never give to chuggers at the door or on the street. I don't object in principle to large charities paying their chief staff high salaries - they are in competition for talent - but I worry about charities that have very large reserves compared with their annual spend. Of course, some have to respond to emergencies from reserves and they then backfill reserves with fundraising. I think it's quite difficult to assess how well charities perform and the helping choices they make.

After I made a one-off donation to the Red Cross, I was totally pestered by them by phone, text, post and then even a knock on my door in which they tried to guilt-trip me as much as possible. They wouldn't leave (reminded me of double-glazing salesmen back in the day), so I had to shut the door in their faces, something I have never done to anyone.

Needless to say, I don't give to them any more.

I make regular annual donations to two well-known, national charities because I believe their work is important but both of them pester me throughout the year with a variety of donation requests which go in the bin. In my case it's a waste of money on their part but I think the underlying strategy is based on their probably well-founded belief that people who have given are more likely to give again compared with non-givers. And I guess fundraisers gave to look busy to their managers.

Can someone explain why various different charities use the same address for postal donations?

You give the sum you can afford. If everyone gave just £1.00 imagine how much that would add up to.

nanna8

We offered $10 to a charity set up outside a shopping centre and they refused and said they could only accept a minimum $20. Needless to say they won’t be getting anything from me now or ever.

I understand why charities do this - in terms of financial planning - investing etc, and why they specify mandated sums or insist on a commitment to regular donations BUT - at a time when much of the world is in recession, should they not review their policy to take into account that fact? Also, how much revenue are they losing by sticking to these principles?

You would've donated $10 - now they have $0. How many people would do the same as you?

I do believe however that most charities will accept one-off donations online for an amount the donor specifies... hopefully. And then, you will be plagued with further mail-shots for ever after!

I think an awful lot of people are charitable and do want to donate, however those same people are having to make adjustments to their budget on a regular basis, cutting back here and there, so it's quite understandable that they will not want to tie themselves up to a commitment they might not be able to meet - so they will refuse to sign up, where they might have been ready to give regularly - when they knew they could afford it.

And charity - by its very nature - is 'ad-hoc'. How did they manage prior to this when they relied on cash buckets and one-off donations?

We offered $10 to a charity set up outside a shopping centre and they refused and said they could only accept a minimum $20. Needless to say they won’t be getting anything from me now or ever.

Germanshepherdsmum

I don’t think it does help with long term planning Sasta, because I could revoke my will tomorrow or spend the lot and die penniless. I could also live for another 30 years. So not sensible to make any plans made on the basis of what I tell them I will be leaving them.

Precisely!

Apparently, an estimated 50% of those who 'sign-up' to regular direct debits, cancel them at a later date.

Chocolatelovinggran

My experience too, Avalon.

My mother did collections for Christian Aid every year until she was quite elderly. The last time she went out she fell down some steps at one house and ended up quite badly hurt, so we had to say "This has to stop". She protested that the town organiser was older than she was, however mum wasn't in quite such good health! I didn't think she opened the envelopes herself but I could be wrong. I once did a door to door collection and I seem to remember donations were put in a sealed container then returned to the charity.

lemsip

I donated by direct debit to cancer research. I received frequent large envelopes through the post asking for more so cancelled direct debit!

Did you tell them why you cancelled? Must say that frequent postal demands when I’ve already got a direct debit do really annoy me.

Good point. Just being greedy perhaps!

I don’t think it does help with long term planning Sasta, because I could revoke my will tomorrow or spend the lot and die penniless. I could also live for another 30 years. So not sensible to make any plans made on the basis of what I tell them I will be leaving them.

I donated by direct debit to cancer research. I received frequent large envelopes through the post asking for more so cancelled direct debit!

One thing I never do (because of subsequent pestering by phone) is to make any of those donations where they ask you to text a word to such and such a number.
Dh was pestered a lot after once doing this - until he told them very roundly to cease and desist.

If I want to donate, I go to the website and tick boxes to say no contact by phone or post. I don’t mind the emails.

Germanshepherdsmum

I was somewhat annoyed recently when one of the charities I support, who had sent a mail shot about gifts in wills, asked if I had, or would consider, leaving them a gift in my will. I replied truthfully that I had done so. Within days there was another letter asking if I had left a specific amount (and if so how much), my entire estate or a percentage of it. There was a ‘prefer not to say’ option. I could see no reason for the question being asked and thought it rather rude. Letter, meet bin.

This does seem a real cheek Germanshepherdsmum, but in reality I think this will be to do with their long term financial planning. If they can ascertain what kind of support they can rely on in the future, it could potentially underpin the charity for X weeks/months giving them the opportunity to utilise funds for other important areas of their work. You being so organised in having already made this generous decision, makes it easier for them to ask you for more info. Everybody indicating such a gift will undoubtedly receive the same letter.

I can see how it will be valuable for charities to know how their future funds will look so that they can plan ahead, so maybe it’s better for them to have a guaranteed income of £3 a month from a lot of people than occasional donations of £300 from a few.

I have read all the responses with interest. I personally make regular donations to animal charities through my phone. The other charities of which I am a member tried to force members to pay by direct debit, but had to give in and accept cheques.

After donating on-line it is quite simple to select the ‘Do not contact me’ options.
I have my favourite charities as most people do, and have never been pestered after donating.

I am put off by specific amounts, it entirely puts me off any donation to that particular charity. I am also put off entering any of my details after being endlessly pestered. Now it is cash to the salvation army, never again to the big company charities

Charities are relentless in their ask for more donations, especially at end-of-year.

For me, some years I wait till EOY to give based on what I can part with and in time for a tax write-off.

Of course they will accept anything - but remember that dropping $5 in the Salvation Army kettle is different than giving $5, $15, $50 or $500 directly to them via mail. That opens the lanes for them to pursue you.

I ignore all the mail and reminders that come after a one time, or bi-annual, or quarterly donation. It IS annoying.

Make your choices based on how much goes directly to relief vs administrative. Everyone has their hands out.
USA Gundy

The specific amount suggested by Crisis for their Christmas appeal is to cover the cost for one guest at one of their centres over the Christmas period.
If you look at their website you will see that you can also donate a figure of your choice or multiples of the individual figure.

No idea of the BL finances but they do lots of things and that all costs. Charities are required to keep reserves to enable them to keep going if there is a problem which means that income isn't coming in. Commonly enough to keep things going for 6 months or a year. If the money is invested that will be bringing in an income too. It's possible that some of is ringfenced for specific purposes so can't be spent on other things
I understand that ex servicemen have specific difficulties when transitioning to civvy street and sometimes choose to disappear off the radar, and miss the military life, working in teaching or whatever isn't what they want to do,they are trained to be able to look after themselves in hostile environments, but if they joined up from school they've never had to learn normal day to day stuff so struggle, like this lad here
www.britishlegion.org.uk/stories/how-we-helped-a-homeless-veteran

ExaltedWombat

They do it because statistics say it works to maximise receipts. Only possible reason.

I'm sure you're right, and there have been times when I have bought a 'thing', such as a box with essentials for a homeless person, or a Christmas gift for a child in a DV hostel. Mostly though, like others, I have been put off by being asked for odd sums like £28.67 - I'd rather weigh up what something costs, what I can afford, and what else I am donating, and decide for myself. I'm just as likely to decide not to bother as I am to go along with it - possibly more so - and I'm sure others feel likewise, so either they lose out, or there is enough 'slack' in the requested amounts to cover for the people who've been put off.

I donate monthly to our local air ambulance and hospice a sum of my choosing, no amount is stipulated.

Exactly, Doodledog.