Charity requests

BZhao

I have signed up to do monthly ongoing donation for Red Cross about 20 years ago. I still donate to Red Cross by automatic payment every month. I am fine with this.

I signed a petition on Facebook a few years ago including my contact details. I think the petition was about animal welfare. However I received phone calls from next day. Someone had been calling my mobile phone every day for a few days. I did not pick up the phone but I thought the calls had something to do with the same charity for animal welfare.

I stick to a budget and live a frugal life. I could not afford to start the ongoing donation for the second charity. I stopped signing the online petitions afterwards.

lifestudent

Most of them end up in recycling or the shredder, I hate to see them wasting money

peaky

I think that does happen

BCafeS15

Tell them to contact Gina Rhinehardt

capfantastic

They always want you to sign up to a long term arrangement. You'd think a one off donation would still be worthwhile. Some people are never satisfied.

Deejay11

It can be annoying if you buy (say) a raffle ticket, and then they keep bothering you

acroke

I choose to support a few causes (1-3) each year. And I just rotate around every year or so. A gentle and kind no
goes a long way.

Danny Boy

I dont find this an issue but I understand that over asking could become less effective

sandy2

I just tend to be honest. Either I have extra for charity or I don't.

l0lapx

I give donations of money or physical goods, I never share my personal details or contact info, so I don't get bombarded with anything

CaptainNightowl

If they are a nuisance, put them in the spam folder and blocked them on your phone. If after you donate, and they keep on calling, wanting more , tell them that you will wipe them and give to someone else

Amanda3268

I usually opt out of their further requests or explain i'm taking a break from donating and they're usually pretty okay with that.

funnysag

Always try to buy goods from all charity stores & will donate to animals australia for the great work they do.

mrs woodbox

If I can’t help out anymore, I will call and explain this. Most charities are really good and understand when I ask to be taken off their call list.

bj

now days I just give to local ones I know

ventnorgirl

I dont give to charities on line

Frogsy

No guilt what so ever, I block their calls, ignore them and usually just don't give any thoughts towards all these money grubbing charities that seem to double in size every year. I feel that we do not need charities in Australia and unfortunately the bad ones, which are many have made the good ones more obscure. If a charity harasses, hounds and tries to inflict guilt, then there is nothing good about them, they do not know you or your financial circumstances, they usually run their operations on a commission basis, so it's a job to them, there is both a company and social hierarchy exacerbating the inequalities between donors and receivers, add a bogus greedy CEO, add poor management and you just get another greedy company. All this undermines public services including a lack of focus on beneficiaries.

It is also known that charities are not an efficient way to collect monies as it is not the best way to cure systemic issues, government intervention usually get the best results. To me charities are a poor excuse to solicit money from already struggling people and they should be regulated more by the government and be fined for the harassment that they inflict. So I do not give to charities online, over the phone or through subscriptions, give me a bucket for a one time donation towards the homeless, then I'm in.

Phlippa

I am getting tired of companies sharing our details and all the charities contacting us. This should not be allowed. I feel bad to those I do not wish to support, and will never give donations over the phone. I prefer to give to charities in other ways.

mysteron347

It's a mixed bag really.

There's a couple of organisations where I short-circuit the spiel because I'll always send a couple of disadvantaged kids to a show/gathering, so it'll be two tickets - how much this time?

What I won't support is the misappropriation of donated funds to politically-correct social-justice causes unrelated to the organisation's purpose. I'll not support an air-ambulance operator which spends money promoting their holier-than-thou social-engineering efforts for instance. These are often easy to spot from their websites.

What really irks me is the buried variety - those that you need to go digging to find out that you're making contributions, apparently justified because "it's for charity". An example of this is the Telstra dividend-reinvestment plan. When Telstra pays a dividend, that payment can be used to automatically purchase further shares - many companies do this. But the dividend usually buys some shares with a little left over. Most companies save that surplus amount and add it to the next dividend payment. Telstra donates it to a Melbourne children's charity which apparently operates only in Melbourne - not to a national charity. Telstra could offer the option of donating or retaining the surplus like other companies on the reinvestment scheme application form, and I'd suggest most shareholders would take the donate option. You have to be curious enough to investigate the matter to find out that you have to make a separate application to have your dividend handled like virtually every other company. Sure - it's just a couple of bucks - twice a year, for thousands of shareholders, Why the secrecy? Why the obstacles?

John31614708

Yes I feel like a cash cow. I also request they stop sending me glossy brochures in the hope it may save them some money at least on postage. I do try and upgrade my donations at least annually, and I do propose to leave a gift in my will for those charities I support.
I also participate in some of the fundraising campaigns which are suitable to my physical capabilities.

gah gah

Oh yeah, and you can't blame the person on the phone, they are just doing their job but they have been train to push and push which makes me not want to ever give to that charity again

Adonis massage

Yes

Virginia30241277

I had one charity that I used to donate money to periodically as I could afford to until I got a call from a call centre wanting me to donate a substantial amount every month. After that I never donated to them again.

Possum

Yes every day, I threatened them with no more and they stop for about fortnight ,than start again.

ladylucy666

Yes!
It makes me not want to donate anymore because of the ongoing harrassment from them afterwards

Mixxsteria

I reguarly give to charity, as a donation & also several home draw ones. I used to be bombarded with phone, email & txt messages, however, I contact them all & advise them that I do not want any ongoing request contacts, or I will cease supporting them. This has worked for me, have only had to cease supporting one charity so far. I also tend to block emails & texts.

Mondayitis

There was a time when I regularly donated to a particular charity. I began to get bombarded with letters and phone calls from them asking for donations. One day I received a call from a call center trying to push me to donate quite a large amount of money before the end of the financial year. I stopped donating to that charity. I only donate to one local charity now and they only do a collection drive once a year. Other charities have done their dash, through pestering tactics.

vickbenla

As soon as I get get those requests I contact the charity & ask than my name be taken from their contact list (& they’re must do this if asked)

logilnk2

I have to say most of the time as I am on a pension.

normarand

I love to donate to different charities, but I don't like giving them my contact details because then I keep getting pestered for donations. I give what I can, when I can. Often in shopping centres, I get approached to sign up to donate to a certain charity every month. I don't like this approach, as I never know what my income is going to be from month to month. I would be happy to give these charities a one of donation on the spot, but this isn't an option. I feel these charities miss out on a lot of money, as I'm sure a lot of people feel the same as I do.

Virginia30241277

I love to donate to different charities, but I don't like giving them my contact details because then I keep getting pestered for donations. I give what I can, when I can. Often in shopping...

I hate being pestered in my local shopping centre - I'm there to shop and not get harassed for donations and some of these people just won't take no or I'm not interested and keep pushing.

PGS

I support DV SafePhone (mobiles, etc for ppeople who left home/all due to Domestic Abuse), Care Bags & Little Wings. Can't give as much this year, but they get something.

Coastgirl2

Personally I like to choose between a couple of favorite charities & give when I can. I feel it is unfair for them to then spend money & time continuing to ask for more.

Coastgirl2

Personally I like to choose between a couple of favorite charities & give when I can. I feel it is unfair for them to then spend money & time continuing to ask for more.

jrmag

I mainly give to the RED CROSS because I have a good idea where their money goes too

marktime

When i was working i gave to a different charity each payweek turn about. had about 30 or so on the go as well as my World Vision that i have had since i started work and still have. On finishing work i just reverted to W V. Then a year or so into retirement i got into SVDP Society so i do a fair bit there with Welfare and clerical duties.
As for the others they dropped off but every now and then there will be a burst of begging letters. I repurpose what i can as printer paper of the reply envelopes as shopping lists etc. Have enough name tags to brand nearly every movable item in the household.

Glenn60

Cost of living cutbacks...less donations.

saintrobbie

i just did reply to izzie and said my piece

saintrobbie

I ONLY GIVE TO AUSTRALIAN BECAUSE OVERSEAS GET AID FROM GOVERMENT AND MOST NEVER SEES THE PEOPLE GOES TO ADD MIN STAFF TAKE IT THEN CRY POOR SO NEVER FOR OVERSEAS CHARITY FOR ME .

Ellessri

I give with time and goods as opposed to money at the moment so I have not encountered this problem

khushi

I usually ignore such requests as I have a limited budget and can't afford to give more than my own financial situation allows? If they still persist, sometime I black list such charities and vow never to donate anything to them in future.

maddog7

As I am disabled I get my groceries delivered weekly from New World. I regularly donate items to Matamata Foodbank whch NW adds to their collection box. I find it is so important to give a regular donation as we never know when we ourselves may need help!

Tuzy

Giving to charity is something that I do regularly, I have a monthly donation to a charity for an education programme for kids from disadvantaged families and then do other donations from time to time depending on my financial circumstances. They are generally all for children's charities as I feel they are the people in our community that most need our assistance. Charities do hound you a bit but for me it is just a reminder and if I can I donate what I can afford, unfortunately not as much as they would like.

Ziah

I have unsubscribed from all charity emails, and I never gve them my number in the first place. W are not in any position to give money nor am I in a position to volunteer with their minimum hours and minimum commitment rules now (every local charity requires a minimum of 20 hours per week and a guarantee of 6 months' commitment with no sick leave - and as someone with long covid. ME/CFS and a whole lot more, I can't even work 5 hours a week at home, and can't guarantee on any give day I can get out of bed). The guilt can be absolutely crippling, especially when I se the huge number of working homeless people in our area due to the rental crisis - but we live week to week because of my massive medical costs (more than double any possible centrelink payment - which I can't get) and inability to earn any income.

When I see the charity collectors in the shops and on the street, I have no choice but to avoid any eye contact and walk as far away from them as I can to avoid the inevitable guilt trip they lay on in order to solicit money. And there's no giving the small amount of change I might have in my pocket - they only accept ongoing payments now.

It also makes me incredibly angry that in a wealthy country like Australia that there should even be any need for charities. There should be no homeless people. There should be no-one going without the basic human rights of food, water, shelter, clothing, medical attention (including dental and mental health, vaccination and preventative health, necessary surgery - heart, joint, cancer, brain, reproductive surgeries etc are NOT elective surgery. Having a facelift is elective, not having cancer removed or hernias repaired or any other medically necessary surgery ) and an education. There should be no charity working to end poverty, since in a wealthy country like ours it simply should not exist. No charity to sponsor children to get an education - it should be provided as a basic human right. NO charities to help cover medical costs and/or research - it should be 100% funded by taxpayer funds - especially those big businesses and trusts currently minimising their tax to the point they pay nothing.

Our society is ass backwards - especially when international gas companies get paid to send OUR gas offshore, and pay bugger all tax. When mining companies take our natural resources offshore and pay near-zero tax. When the richest business owners in the country find every possible loophole so they pay less tax than someone earning minimum wage. It is absolutely abhorrent, and if every business and rich person paid a fair amount of tax, there would be more money to go around to causes that charities are covering and shouldn't have to. I'll get off my soapbox now, but I feel extremely passionately about this.

musicmum

Yes if you have given before you are at the top of the list. I am no longer in the position to donate, so I just block the number they call on. If they come in email I unsubscribe and if by snail mail I return to sender. You cannot feel guilty if you do not have the money to give, you just wish you were in a better position yourself.

twhillas

I allocate a percentage of my annual income for charitable donations then make donations to charities where 100% or near of the charities donated income is actually expended on the recipients/stated purpose - not on administration; executive salaries, advertising costs, etc.!! Once my allocation limit has been reached, that's it - no further donations for that year. In addition, when canvassed - in person, by email, mail, phone call etc. - I explain that I allocate a set amount for charitable causes to a selected set of charities and either your charity is not one I support OR I have reached my annual limit

jatz50

I get phone calls saying thank you for your past donation but can you please help us again with and they start rambling on about some tickets to buy, like $20 for one ticket or how about a book will only cost you $100 and it is for a good cause. That's when I say, well I am a pensioner and am about to go into hospital for an operation so I can't possibly help you out and then say thank you, and hang up. I used to feel guilty but when they keep hasselling you, I don't now. I remember years ago when we have money to what we thought was a reputable charity for the bushfires that had happened and to find out, they never got the money and the charity used it for something else. So no more from us now.

Tina 32226074

I absolutely refuse to give to charities that come knocking on the door, phone you up or hound you at the supermarket and I don't feel guilty about it because I choose to support people in my community. I will put food into the local food pantry, I will purchase food and drinks for homeless people and i make clothes for a local charity who put together packs for local mums who are struggling to dress and feed their children. I prefer to see where my money is going

Paul

These alleged charities are just big business. There is nothing charitable in their business model. Once you engage with them, they return like a bad penny. My approach is to give directly to the intended recipient. For example, if say a hospital needs a bit if kit, get a group together and work with the intended user to get it. 100% goes to the intended purpose. Never give to overseas charities as they get millions from many government entities stood up to meet the international need. Charity starts at home and in my local community.

Ellie 30656027

Yes and they are so annoying. I just now say no straight out. No guilt for me. I’d feel guilty if 8 was them for annoying everyone.

Sil sil

I stopped years ago when I realised not a lot gets to those in need...companies create charities to dodge tax, everyone gets paid big money and after 100 years of world vision with MJ donating million seems as though it hasn't made a dent

KennethS

I have a few rules about Charity donations, The first is that Charity begins at home, and we have more than enough problems in Australia to address, without trying to sort other peoples problems.
As far as Australian Charities are involved, if the Charity uses Professional Fundraising companies to canvas on their behalf, then one can be reasonably sure that the Charity's overheads ensure that a much lesser percentage of the funds raised goes to solving the problem.
I also contribute to charities that I think are genuinely worthy Australian causes, such as the RSPCA, Mater Foundation, National Heart Foundation, PA Hospital Research Foundation, as as a retiree struggling to make ends meet on a fixed income of diminshing purchasing power, one must put family first.

OzzyBLT

One of the things I find quite annoying is the whole idea of charity itself. We are living in a society with enough resources to share with everybody whereas the idea of charity itself leaves people who are less fortunate to other people’s mercy, I don’t find this fair or reasonable. Our goal should be not having everyone’s needs to be met. If it’s left to chance or happenstance of course it won’t happen.

Your average charity with their collection model, give or take, reminds me of sales environments anyway. So instead of helping them with their KPI’s, I started to give that money to homeless people.

hispania

Unfortunately I have found the only way is to stop giving to that particular charity. I think it's really pushy when you give a donation and then you are asked to sign up to a regular donation. It's equally bad if you are making a regular donation and they try to get you to increase the amount. Most of us know what we can afford and how much we choose to give.

mare

I give what I can when I can

mare

I give what I can when I can

chocogirl

There are too many charities around and I cannot really give to multiple charities. I give when I can but many charities do bombard donors with phone calls, emails and mail once you gave donated to them.

Radda

My own opinion ALL the charities in the world should be supported by the wealthiest people in their own countries. There should be some sort of a “tax” fee each month when they transfer money to the charity of their choice. This would be fair and a very good use of their extreme wealth for a very good cause.

boppa99

I don't believe charity works unless a competition, l have heard of Someone winning a prize through charity which made me think about entering but they have recently stopped sending me there mail which l found strange as they were called yourtown,to win Homes ,but manily the Gold Coast, l always entered the ones in Sydney
It never makes me feel Guilty, there's always some rich CEO,taking the Profits

ozycash

Giving to charity is a waste of money. If they did what they claimed then charities would not be needed.

Bella4927

I would prefer to round up if I choose at a register with a local charity. I don't feel pressured and that way I can do it as little or as much as I like. I also would prefer to do things digitally such as RSL lottery or deaf society that way I am also not pressured in the street, annoyed at home.

MariaG

I forgot to add something.
Some years ago, I was approached by a handicapped person to buy a raffle ticket for $20.
I dont buy raffle tickets and said that to him. I did add that i am quite happy to make a smaller donation.
His reaction was that he did not know how to take donations. He was only trained in trying to sell the tickets.
I was quite disappointed.

MariaG

I forgot to add something.
Some years ago, I was approached by a handicapped person to buy a raffle ticket for $20.
I dont buy raffle tickets and said that to him. I did add that i am quite happy to make a smaller donation.
His reaction was that he did not know how to take donations. He was only trained in trying to sell the tickets.
I was quite disappointed.

MariaG

Being an oldie means having to run on a strict budget. When I was working I did have my favoured charities. Now I can only afford to give my time.
I have had to block phone calls because I am embarrassed to admit I cannot afford to give anything at all.
The Salvos always get some of my coins and my local homeless food provider, Life Church, gets my time as a volunteer.

MandMm

I saw an advert on Facebook from The Garvan Institute, they were offering a 'free tote bag', to 'raise awareness', you just had to enter your details, which I did. It was a tiny light weight reuseable bag with their logo on it. In my mind, I could carry that instead of a plain one, and maybe spread the word by using it.
A week later, I receive a phone call, with a massive spiel about what they do, and asking me why I applied. I said I am very unwell, and thought I could do what I could, spread awareness, just by carrying that little bag around. Another spiel ensued along these lines: 'Some people like to commit to a monthly donation of $50'. I said 'oh sorry, I didn't realise the gift was conditional, there was nothing about it on the advertisment'.
"Oh it's by no means conditional, just some people like to contribute to the valuable work we do, and can I commit to XYZ dollars a month".
I said my family's name on the donation wall at the hospital next door to them, i'd consider them in my will, and that I had other places I donated what I could - time and effort- .
The spiel was repeated, and revised, multiple times, with decreasing dollar increments, until it got to $2. I said no every time, based on principle, and also situational.
After this interaction, I was upset, and got rid of the bag. Two weeks later, I received a brochure with a donation form. I sent it back to them, stating I needed to be taken off this list I didn't sign up for. Then a week later, a gentleman called me, giving me a spiel, and asking for a donation. They obviously hadn't received my unsubscribe request, so i told him to take me off.
I saw yesterday another charity, offering a 'free key ring', to anyone interested, with no detail about strings attached. So it's a new tactic, if I said yes to everyone who wants a donation etc, i'd have to take out personal loans, and go into debt, so I could keep food on the table.

fruitbat7

Yes, I have had to let go of a few small regular donations until my finances improve.

Sus1

Part of what contributes to charity request fatigue is the enormous rise in the number of charities operating in Australia. Many are started for good reasons because someone feels strongly about something that has affected them personally but there have become so many overlaps and these charities are having to work harder amongst a much larger pool of similar groups who are competing with them for peoples money and time. Perhaps slimming down the number of charities but I imagine that would be almost impossible to achieve.

adelaidesurfer

It makes people stop donating alltogether as essentially its automated harassment of an individual. I like to donate how I donate, not by force or harassment.

buttonpops

Yes, they send non stop emails and it's maddening. I stopped donating to well known Corporate charities as I no longer trust them and instead donate to local animal shelters.

Anthony325

I just ignore any extra pressure they try to apply

Vonny71

Definitely feel guilty that I cannot donate but being on a pension now with almost no savings I just can’t afford to give away any money

Maggie24

Yes I do get bombarded which makes it easier for me to say no next time they ask. I will decide when I want to help someone. No I do not feel guilty

Alex S

Yes and it makes me feel like my initial donation was worthless, which makes it demotivating to donate in the first place. I've also had charities pass on my details to third parties so they could pursue me for additional donations. I understand these are desperate times, but that killed my trust in that charity. I have become very picky with charities and will no longer support Amnesty International, Oxfam or Red Cross. I'm very pleased to say that Medicins Sans Frontieres sends regular updates without asking for more but quietly include a donation button in their emails should I want to donate more. That resulted in me increasing my monthly donation. RSPCA also does this, which is acceptable and motivating to me.

I completely understand charities reaching out and asking for more if you opt in to hearing from them. But I never want a phone call from a charity, incessant emails or my details passed onto a third party.

Sahida31983077

Yes, that's a very common experience. Many charities will continue to send donation requests once you've given to them — sometimes frequently and persistently. This is largely because:
You've shown you're a willing donor: Once you've donated, you're marked as a "warm lead" — someone who's more likely to give again.
Fundraising strategy: It's often more cost-effective for charities to reach out to past donors than to find new ones.
Data sharing: Some charities may share or sell donor lists to other organizations

MandMm

I saw an ad on Facebook, for the Garvin Institute, and they were offering a free little cheap fabric bag. I thought they send me that, I spread awareness by using it. No mention of any conditions etc. So I added my details, got a phone call thanking me for my request, telling me that there's been a lot of demand, and there might be a wait. Then came the sales pitch. They did the spiel about what they do, how they help people like me, and asked if i would sign up to donate monthly, $50. I said I really cant. Then the script kept getting repeated, but it started saying 'some people like you choose to donate $40 a month, and it went right down to $2. I was running out of polite things to say. Now I'm receiving monthly newsletters, asking for donations, and monthly phone calls. I was really dissapointed about it, don't offer to send someone a promotional cheap item, to advertise for you, and then use that as a reason to continue to harass them for money regularly. My family gave a substantial donation to them last century (the rich side of the family), and my very uncommon surname is on their donors board, along with maybe 20 others, and I can't commit anything to forced charity, until I can afford to go to my specialists regularly, which will never happen.

Sahida31983077

I saw an ad on Facebook, for the Garvin Institute, and they were offering a free little cheap fabric bag. I thought they send me that, I spread awareness by using it. No mention of any conditions...

You're not alone in feeling disappointed or even misled — many people have expressed similar frustration. What you thought was a simple awareness-raising action (carry the bag, spread the word) turned into an emotional sales funnel, complete with guilt-tinged pitches and ongoing contact.

JNel

Yes also I have asked them to not call during work hours but they keep doing that as well. The constant harass has soured any good feelings I had donating in the first place.

kerynm

Yes and they persisted even when my parents died. They just kept ringing.

Caperteewaratah

I regularly donate to some of my favourite charities and even then I get random letters in the mail requesting more. I have rung these charities and told them if they do that, I will withdraw my donations unfortunately, as I think it is a waste of donators money using it for mailing out cost of paper and postage etc: and find it annoying to have things in my letterbox, which I try to keep clear of mail. I work away from home at times and do not want things left in the mailbox looking like no one is home.
I find ringing the organisation and asking them to alter their database the best solution. They understand but it seems that sometimes the computer programmes over ride the request. Computer fault! Computer says yes, but I say no.
I do give them the opportunity to honor my request before I would cut off.
Rural fire brigade, I donate on their website to the fire service I want to support in my local area. Otherwise there are some paid fundraising services which also take a cut from the donation and I do not want to do this.

Juliette31984417

Yes I find this very annoying. I have tried to help given that I have a limited budget and then the constant harassment after I have made a small donation becomes quite annoying. I feel like that it is something of an abuse of trust seeing that I have already reached out to support the charity, but I am not made of money and they are very persistent.

I also get annoyed with environmental groups and other causes including humanitarian groups like Amnesty international who badger me by phone for donations after I have signed a petition, made a donation, sent a letter to a politician or asked for a booklet or brochure. I have already tried to support the group and tried to help their campaign or spread the word and then I get run by someone who is clearly from a professional fundraising service asking for a donation.

I am particularly annoyed when the phone callers try to get me to commit to a regularly monthly donation. I am doing it tough I am on centrelink payments, so I do not have money to spare. I think aggressive and persistent charity marketing is tone deaf in these times of widespread economic hardship and insecurity

Caperteewaratah

Yes I find this very annoying. I have tried to help given that I have a limited budget and then the constant harassment after I have made a small donation becomes quite annoying. I feel like that...

I agree with your comments. The idea of getting people to sign petitions is an old fashioned way of getting support but these now include your email address which is used to then further promote the charity. I always ask about this.
Similar to when I sign up to an email from a product, they want my phone number to then send text messages which I have to pay for. I have opted out of many of those when I realised this and some of them make it very difficult to unsubscribe.

chickenman

unfortunately they do, because being a charity they rely on donations to continue, and the most obvious people to cantact are ones they believe may still wish to help, rather than spending time and money canvassing for new supporters.

penszen

Absolutely! It drives me crazy. Sometimes I get very short with them when they push on with the sell after I've said I won't do a regular donation. I think it's really rude to push people who already support the cause and they risk alienating me altogether.

Juliette31984417

Absolutely! It drives me crazy. Sometimes I get very short with them when they push on with the sell after I've said I won't do a regular donation. I think it's really rude to push people who...

agree, I have already shown my support and then they seem to keep wanting me to give more and more just because I have tried to help already

jjdrer

Where does some of money go? Some of it does have to go in admin costs etc. e.g. Rental of buildings, electricity, phone. Public Liability Insurance (very high expense) which has literally destroyed some charities and non-profit organisations. Accountants - a specialised "field" - you may get qualified volunteers, Accredited Auditors (expensive)
Those that say none of the funds go to admin, I would like to see proof.

Izzie

Hi, It's Izzie here again. Thanks so much for replying to my post. I can see from all these replies that this is something that affects so many of us. I'm glad I'm not alone. However I do understand the work of many charities and was lucky enough to work for a major Australian charity. But luckily my job was nothing to do with raising money. So I can also see the need for charities to seek donations. However it does seem more like a cutthroat business when chariites are really competing with each other. I also became aware some years back of a charity that was using only a tiny percentage of their donations towards their 'cause' - the rest as I understand was going to those who began the organisation - they no longer exist, and I am so pleased that they apparently were 'found out'. I want to continue to give when I can, because I know of charities that do great work, and so I give as and when I can. Certainly not as much as I used to, because I siimply can't afford it. I have a friend who has a couple of animal charities who contact her regularly, and each time she donates $5 when they ask, and that way, she doesn't really notice it. I prefer to give a larger amount but less often, but even that is hard now, but I hope always to be able to give something to at least a couple of charities each year. I guess the upside is that it feels good to give to others knowing that it is helping someone to live a little better as a result. But if only those more wealthy charities would stop inundating us witth requests!

chickenman

Hi, It's Izzie here again. Thanks so much for replying to my post. I can see from all these replies that this is something that affects so many of us. I'm glad I'm not alone. However I do...

have to agree with you Izzie. anything donated to a charity should be used by that charity for the purpose it was set up for and even the top officials should be past of the charity and not there for personal gain. pity it is not a crime to divert donations to personal profits.

wendel

I know they need the money, but nearly every other advert on tv is for charities overseas, I only believe in giving to our own people in our country who are doing it tough.

GreenLego

I heard that charity workers get paid and they don't do the work for free. They get commission on each donation, which is why they hound you. Only a small portion of your donation actually ends up at the cause you are trying to help.

pizzas57

Yes it's annoying when keep ringing you . So last time they rang me just told them bluntly will never get anymore money from me and calls stopped. Do donate to flying doctors as don't ask for phone number and is good cause for outback Australia. They send emails but don't much and I don't have read them as well.

abarnes

Yes, absolutely. I don’t know what they’re thinking; maybe it’s ‘here’s a person who has a soft spot for the cause, we’ll ask them again,’ or it’s ‘you don’t get anything if you don’t ask,’ or it’s more likely a combination of the two, but yes once you’re in their system, they become annoyingly persistent.
How do I deal with them? I give when I can and then I don’t. When I was working, I was able to give on a regular basis to Wildlife protection, guide dogs and then cancer research… but those days are gone…as a retiree, donations are one-offs. I guess I do give because I do feel a little guilty if I don’t, but I shake myself out of the guilt spiral by reminding myself, that you can keep giving until you yourself are in the poorhouse and in need of aid. What absolutely does my head in, is the waste! There are tens of thousands of registered charities, many with very similar or aligned aims BUT, I imagine all have CEOs and admin salaries drawn from the donations collected. It’s this waste that annoys the living crap out of me. There needs to be a review and rationalisation of the existing charities.

BCafeS15

It would be better to pay more taxes and the government operate the welfare for people doing it tough.

BCafeS15

It would be better to pay more taxes and the government operate the welfare for people doing it tough.

Jude30693100

Yes, I find that if I can aiming for a one off donation, they don't get that's all I have to give right now. I understand the need for outreach and to be proactive but being pressured puts me off.

MumAils

I hate it when they do that. I also find it a bit intimidating when they are at shopping centres and bombard you, stop you in your tracks. I tell them I can't afford to donate, which I can't. If there is something that I want to donate to I will, but it will be a once off payment, when I want to do it. I will never commit myself to monthly payments etc with charities.

Ellessri

I only give what I can afford and tend to do it in cash at things like the biggest morning tea and greatest shave

CheekyMinx

It would depend on the causes I believe in or how strongly I feel about that particular organisation.

I tend to donate to existing charities that I already give regularly to and if they deal with animal rescues.

As a personal choice, I am less inclined to donate to charities that helps people.

s

I just tell them I am unable to at the moment.
Last time I told them I am not working at the moment which is true because of an accident

Cazz 2

I certainly do. I was donating to a well known charity, then they send follow up letters saying "We know you recently donated $X amount of money, we'd appreciate it if you would see your way to donating $XX next time. When I moved to a new address, they continued to send letters, even after letters were sent back to them marked "Not at this address". I just gave up. I will donate instead to people who don't badger me.

harry31626210

Yes, many charities keep sending repeated requests after a donation. With the cost of living rising, I set a budget, give only what I can afford, and politely ignore or unsubscribe from extra requests. I remind myself that saying “no” doesn’t make me a bad person.

squeekums

I dont sign up to anything
Never direct debit
Avoid eye contact to the ones in the shops
ignore unknown numbers - no cold callers then
Use cameras to see who at my door - no random doorknockers

I have no issue saying no, im just not always nice about it if they dont respect the first polite 'no' and keep trying to push

bubbles

Yes the Charities keep ringing me. It has now got to the stage where I do not answer phone calls when I do not know the number. We should be able to give when we can but not be hounded.

elsp

100%. I already donate regularly or have in the past and stopped. Either way, don't call me and ask for me! If I wanted to give more I would. Don't make me feel bad about not being able to continue or to do additional.

cafegal

yes they and other charities ring all the time. I have to tell them I just can't afford anymore

Yqsymnx

I have a standard response for any callers: I have already committed my budget this year to Guide Dogs
Which I actually haven't, but does allow me to get out of conversations relatively quickly.
These days, my donations are generally non financial. I will buy food and chat with the homeless. I will go to op shops to buy or donate. Going through a bit of minimisation in the house and getting rid of knick knacks and things I haven't or don't feel I'll use in the future.
I'm doing my bit for the community with other services too; I am a JP for instance. I don't feel guilty

jtmorri

I haven't engaged with charities per say for a long time. I do remember when I did you would continuously receive further requests for donations. So, yes, I did find them frustrating and annoying in the past. I would ask them to take my name off of their database and not contact me again.

I am also very mindful not to take a survey or play any form of game associated with a charity, as all they want is your contact number and email so then they can call you or continuously email you to ask for a donation. In this way I avoid the annoyance of requests for donations today and going forward.

The causes I do give to are The Lord Mayor's Appeal for disasters that are local to me. You don't get hounded by them ever as they realise you are donating to a specific cause to immediately help your community and people.

I would never feel guilty about not donating. I also don't have an issue with saying no to someone. In the past I have found the person on the other end of the phone stunned and taken back by me saying no outright and can't they stop as I don't wish to listen to their spiel. We all have the choice when, how, why and to whom we donate, the frequency and amount. If I wish to donate to a cause I can find the information myself and undertake it without someone pressuring me into doing it for a specific cause or a time that suits them.

AdelaideM

I find the requests incredibly frustrating.
With cost of living being what it is, giving anything is a fair sacrifice. To then constantly get calls and emails suggesting that we should find even more to give is, I believe, fairly tone deaf.

They make me less likely to give. Nowdays I choose who to donate to entirely online, and if I get calls I tell them that while appreciate they're just trying to do their job, I don't want any more calls. I have chosen to stop giving in the past to specific charities who wouldn't stop calling or emailing.

They don't make me feel guilty, they make me angry that while I have the strength to say no, they may be pressuring other people to give more than they can afford. I believe it's incredibly important that we all donate what we can, but putting pressure on to people is not a kind way to do it.

jtmorri

I find the requests incredibly frustrating.
With cost of living being what it is, giving anything is a fair sacrifice. To then constantly get calls and emails suggesting that we should find...

I agree totally.

cazter

These days with the cost of living in Australia being so high, it's even harder to have money to donate to any charities. Also, I don't like how a lot of the money donated goes to the CEOs of the charity rather than to the people or cause the money is actually supposed to help. I am not feeling guilty at all because I am finding it hard to pay my bills.

cazter

I totally agree with your sentiment about charities. There have been previous chats, and my opinion is that there are too many of them for the same cause which is inefficient with funds and like...

What you mentioned about the CEO's makes a lot of sense!

jtmorri

These days with the cost of living in Australia being so high, it's even harder to have money to donate to any charities. Also, I don't like how a lot of the money donated goes to the CEOs of the...

I totally agree with your sentiment about charities. There have been previous chats, and my opinion is that there are too many of them for the same cause which is inefficient with funds and like you believe it is wasted on CEO's etc who sometimes start a charity themselves to create a job for themselves.