Charity guilt mail

Originally Posted by Spiderman

So glad its not just me who thinks this way. I find it deeply offensive that charities can waste money like this tbh.

Some days i get so woulnd up by the idea of the modern charity i feel like writing to the charities commision (or whoever) and having a bit of a moan.... but then its all forgotten. I'm too lazy for my own good sometimes.

Its also like the charities that say "raise a minimum of £3k and climb mount Killimanjaro". Surley 80-90% of that money goes to organise the trip etc and even tho i'm sure its a huge experience for those who do it would they not be better off organising this for themselves and then giving a chunk of change to a charity of their choice?

Dead right mate - it's a scam, and the people who organise these 'charity adventure acitivies' are creaming it in. I was asked for a donation to someone doing a charity parachute jump, and when I looked into it I found that of about 20% of the money actually went to the charity. Now when I'm asked, I reply "what's it in aid of? .....oh, maybe you'd like me to give them a fiver directly, that way all of it goes to the worthy cause"

Charities do it cos it works i.e. it raises more money. I too don't like either the 'free' gift culture or the 'have some fun and raise a bit of money for good causes' as well approach but there is no doubt it works.

I have some sympathy for charities which do this because in our culture marketing is very important and no less so in the charity sector which is (nearly) as competitive as any other.

In reality most of are susceptible to some degree to the 'free offer' generally even though we know there is no such thing and if it helps raise more money for deserving causes then so be it...

Originally Posted by Steve W

Charities do it cos it works i.e. it raises more money. I too don't like either the 'free' gift culture or the 'have some fun and raise a bit of money for good causes' as well approach but there is no doubt it works.

I have some sympathy for charities which do this because in our culture marketing is very important and no less so in the charity sector which is (nearly) as competitive as any other.

In reality most of are susceptible to some degree to the 'free offer' generally even though we know there is no such thing and if it helps raise more money for deserving causes then so be it...

but the point is it's effectively gaining money (and NOT for the charity) under false pretences. People donate in good faith, not knowing that only a small % of the cash goes to the good cause. They should be made to state clearly that 'out of the money raised £xxx will go to pay for the holiday / adventure activity etc.' and the companies running them should state how much margin they are taking. Just think how much more good it would do if ALL the money, not 20% of it, went to the charity.

I object strongly being asked to donate to charities be it by can rattlers or any other means, This does not mean I don't give money to charity,I probably give a lot more than most,but I choose the charity or charities that is nearest to my heart,like our local kids hospice for example,or a local scanner appeal. Places or
causes that are 100% for the appeal and not for secretary's cars or big directors fees and juicy expense accounts,unfair maybe but knowing how much of your donation is being taken up in "operating" expenses would really surprise most people

[Red ones]

Originally Posted by northwind

The justification is they make more using professional colletors than using volunteers. Amnesty International are a good example of this, they switched from volunteer callers to pros, and they made an absolute packet, 3 times more than they spend if memory serves.

I SO misread this!
Charity shagathon sprang to mind. Close your eyes and think of political prisoners!