Charities Soliciting Businesses

I had dinner last night with friends who are also local business owners. They expressed dismay and some disgust with charities that take their generosity for granted, and/or use cheap "salesmanship" tactics to induce them to give.

One example is the phone call: "We appreciate your past support and ask for a $1,000 gift." When asked, the caller admits that it's been three years since he's given any gift, and the last gift was $100!

Another example is the vendor/supplier who drops in on the account owner and asks for a charitable gift to a charity of the vendor's choice. The account owner agrees to a $1,000 gift, whereupon the vendor complains that they had "had him down for a $7,000 gift." The vendor got a $1,000 gift and lost the account because the owner was so offended.

These are two examples of poor fundraising. Whether the charities are to blame is a separate issue. Why? Because both examples are of VOLUNTEER fundraisers making the ask. I don't know whether the volunteers were trained by the charity, and whether the volunteers ignored any training they might have received.

The charity needs to remember that volunteers become the "face" and "image" of the charity. They can do much good -- AND MUCH HARM -- in that role. The observations of these business owners emphasize that donors often don't distinguish between the fundraiser, the cause, and the charity.

The charity using volunteers to solicit funds needs to pay attention to training, especially in the area of image. Charities should redirect those volunteers who are averse to training away from contact with major and corporate donors.