Guilt-tripping AR groups

[Chrysalis]

I donated some money to Animal Alliance of Canada a while back and now they are trying to guilt me into giving them more. They sent a letter, then actually called me on the phone, if you can believe it. I couldn't think of a good reason off the top of my head that wouldn't make the woman angry -- she sounded peeved simply because I said I would think about it...anyways, how do you go about getting rid of them? How do you not feel guilty about it? I can't exactly afford to just give them money whenever an issue comes up (which is like all the time) and i'm wondering now if this organization is even legitimite (spelled wrong, I know).

[Oatmeal]

Why don't you tell them what you told us? Tell them that you can't afford it. Or don't tell them any reason. Tell them to not call you again, if that's what you want. I don't really understand the problem. You don't have to lie.. the truth is just as good a reason as any.

[kpickell]

I wouldn't say they're trying to guilt you into giving more. You gave once, so it makes sense for them to ask if you'd be interested in giving again. You can tell them to take you off their mailing list if you don't want to be contacted again. If the donation slip is prepaid, mail it back at their expensive with a note stating you don't want them to contact you anymore. Oh and know that most non-profits will share your information with similar companies, so you might get mail from other similar groups too.

[Kiz]

This happened to me with Amnesty International. I joined, thinking I was doing something good, only to be bombarded with "guilt-trip" literature trying to get more and more cash out of me. I joined them for information, not to lose what little spare money I have. They went waaaay down in my estimation after that.

[bizarro]

an easy way to get out of it is tell them you are unemployed and have a serious medical condition and you would appreciate it if they stopped calling. turn the tables on them. (im not opposed to lying under pressure to these types or tele solicitators).

how do you even know who they are on the phone?

it could be your next door neighbor trying to steal your credit card number.

[bunnyfish79]

I agree with Oat. There is no reason to lie...the truth should be good enough.

[Veganati]

If I gave a group say 15$, and they seem to spend all that money on soliciting me for more money, I would be hesitant to give them any more money.

[Christy]

I feel like this about HSUS. They send me a coffe cup, a pin, even an umbrella. At first, I would send them a donation. Now, when they don't get a donation quick enough, I receive another mailing saying somthing like, "We hope you received and are enjoying the ___________ we sent...." now send us more money. I've stopped sending anyone money except for my local humane society.

[DuckThatWasn't]

Not that this is an AR issue, but I worked at my local police station a couple of years ago (fingerprinting and filing, nothing big) and now, every few months or so for the last two years, I've gotten a phone call from some police donation society. It's always the same, and it always makes me feel awful. And for some bizarre reason, all the people who call have the SAME ACCENT, and it isn't one native to this area.

"Howwwdy, Ma'am, d'ya think it's impohtant to support yo' local po-lice fo-erce and the famuhlies o' those killed in tha liiine of duty?"

Talk about guilt-tripping. I always tell them that I am not employed--which has been true for a while now, unfortunately--and they're usually polite and leave me alone. Every so often, though, I get someone who doesn't want to let me go that easily. Oy.

[kpickell]

The Dennis Kucinich campaign is the only one bugging me nowadays. I tell them every time that I'm no longer interested in supporting him or his campaign and nope can't send even $10 sorry.

[Jimdavis]

This harping seems ridiculous to me. Like any other business, a nonprofit has to raise funds, and has to raise more funds every year than it raised the year before to cover increases in costs, salaries, scope, etc. Anyone who has worked for a nonprofit in the role of fundraising or who has investigated starting a nonprofit realizes that donations are a major factor in one's annual budget. To figure its annual budget, a non-profit must assume that it can raise the same funds from previous donors as it did in the year before and increase some of those donations. I mean, after all, a non-profit can only get donations from one of two groups of people, previous donors or new donors. Finding new donors is a major focus of a non-profit, but it costs more money per dollar received to find new donors than to solicit from previous donors.

You shouldn't think that the organization isn't spending its money wisely if it's pressuring previous donors; it is in fact spending its fundraising budget very wisely.

And remember, much of a nonprofit's fundraising is often done by volunteers, people who aren't necessarily paid anything to raise money but do believe in the organization enough to devote free time to it... which you could do instead of donate money.

Jim

[Chrysalis]

Yeah sorry, I guess I"m just not very good at saying no to people. Especially when they're asking me "So, can we count on you?" Total guilt-trip. Oh well, it was for some seal thingy and she mentioned boycotting fisheries or something like that, so I'm basically already doing something seeing how I don't eat fish anyways.

[IamJen]

The Dennis Kucinich campaign is the only one bugging me nowadays. I tell them every time that I'm no longer interested in supporting him or his campaign and nope can't send even $10 sorry.

Ditto..a message a week at least.

JD - There is the "do not call" list for businesses, where you can tell them you are not interested. Yet, with several non-profits (and for some reason the Disney Cruise ship doohickey), I've evidently not been able to convey that message loudly and clearly enough. It's probably just because I'm such a shy, delicate flower of a gal.

[catgirl67]

I've found that if you donate money to any non-profit org. they will try their best do "guilt" you into donating more. I recently donated money to a Christian homeless ministry, and I have letters and newsletters (that I specifically asked not to receive) in my mailbox everyday. PETA has hit me up a few times too. Honesty is the best policy. Just tell them that you can't afford it. Tell them "Don't call me, I'll call you". If they can't accept that, then just write them off.

[Jimdavis]

Another solution is to donate your money to charities you like, but do it anonymously.

Jim

[Marie]

The Angel Network (online) has an option you can click on if you don't want to be contacted. I like that.

[Michael]

JD - There is the "do not call" list for businesses, where you can tell them you are not interested. Yet, with several non-profits (and for some reason the Disney Cruise ship doohickey), I've evidently not been able to convey that message loudly and clearly enough. It's probably just because I'm such a shy, delicate flower of a gal.

Non-profits, charities, and political organizations are exempt from honoring the do not call list.

I've been wanting to send postcards to some of these organizations telling them that they're wasting their money by mailing me stuff. At least that way they could better spend it elsewhere.

[kpickell]

That's the one bad thing about being a contributing member here... all these constant phone calls from Michael begging for more money "Your year is almost up, please send just $15 to renew your membership, don't let the board shut down because you didn't renew"


:p

[Hari's Chick]

Don't feel badly...your heart is in the right place! If you can't afford it, just say no thank you. :) It was nice of you to give the first time and I think the folks calling you are maybe sounding peeved cuz they just got some mean person on the line before you. It probably has nothing to do with you and they will not personally mind your not donating. :)

[Kiz]

Another solution is to donate your money to charities you like, but do it anonymously.

Jim
This is what I generally do now. I prefer to donate time though, if I can.

[kpickell]

Think of the positives though... Once you donate to an animal rights group, you'll never again run out of free address labels, pads of papers, calendars, and stickers!

[Christy]

Think of the positives though... Once you donate to an animal rights group, you'll never again run out of free address labels, pads of papers, calendars, and stickers!

I know I won't!

[PortableKitten]

Not that this is an AR issue, but I worked at my local police station a couple of years ago (fingerprinting and filing, nothing big) and now, every few months or so for the last two years, I've gotten a phone call from some police donation society. It's always the same, and it always makes me feel awful. And for some bizarre reason, all the people who call have the SAME ACCENT, and it isn't one native to this area.

"Howwwdy, Ma'am, d'ya think it's impohtant to support yo' local po-lice fo-erce and the famuhlies o' those killed in tha liiine of duty?"

Talk about guilt-tripping. I always tell them that I am not employed--which has been true for a while now, unfortunately--and they're usually polite and leave me alone. Every so often, though, I get someone who doesn't want to let me go that easily. Oy.

this happened to me awhile back and I called the Sheriffs department and was told by them and the troopers also, that they never fund raise over the phone and that it is a scam. when it is a legit fundraising by a law enforcement agency they either will come door to door or they do it by mail. Just FYI, for what it's worth.
Also, I get alot of the types of mail you describe from many organizations. I don't see it as Guilt Tripping. If they didn't send provocative info out, they would not receive half the donations they do and they cannot continue what they do without those donations.
While a few words are sometimes changed, more often than not the same info is sent to those who donate and those who have not donated.
I just figure that if they are to continue the work they do they need to do this. I am on workers comp and just tell them that and to please not send anymore unsolicited mail and each and every one has abided by my wishes.
The truth usually works best and they have heard all the phony excuses in the book. There is no need to lie, just be polite and firm and they will do as you ask.

[Artichoke47]

I just say "No, thank you," and hang up. I pick and choose who I donate to without solicitations just fine.

[Michael]

Think of the positives though... Once you donate to an animal rights group, you'll never again run out of free address labels, pads of papers, calendars, and stickers!

I wish Sierra Club would send me another one of those calendar stickers that goes across the top of my monitor. It ran out yesterday. :-/