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When
giving to charity, remember it's your choice
By
John F. O'Kane
Senior Vice President
Coxe Curry & Associates
(Part 1 of 3)
Special to GwinnettForum.com
July 24, 2001 -- About ten years ago I was traveling on a domestic
flight and struck up a conversation with the older couple in my
row. As so many discussions do, the question of what I did for a
living came up. I explained that I helped raise money for nonprofit
organizations. My disclosure led to a reflection on their past giving
habits. Almost apologetically they confided that many years ago
they had tried to give a little donation to whoever would ask, but
now they can no longer respond to the many who come calling.
I too can remember a time when I tried to give a little something
to all who came calling, but no more. How many of you have responded
genuinely to an appeal in the mail, only to see similar requests
multiply like a plague of locusts? Fundraising has become both technologically
sophisticated and with an appetite for contributions that doesn't
seem to quit. So what is a person to do who wants to help?
Today's donors must determine their priorities. You can't give
to everything and yet do have those things that are most important
to you. When you make your annual budget, include a budget for your
charities and donations. This should include churches, schools,
community groups and art groups etc.
Plan to give more to those things that you value most. If you feel
like you are forced to give to a particular charity, do so but keep
it in perspective. I like to spread my money among faith-based organizations,
local charities and a carefully chosen third world mission. Remember,
it is your hard earned money.
Having a budget will allow you to have a set response to some of
the unsolicited phone appeals, pleas of friends and mail requests.
It is important to hold your ground as numerous asks will present
themselves in most persuasive forms. In fact, the mark of an ethical
and professional fundraiser is one who understands that a donor
has many interests, that the decision to give is theirs and that
the job of the professional is to seek and make matches with donors
who want to support your nonprofit.
Unfortunately, appeals for charity have taken on the same aim as
sales appeals, complete with guilt, pressure and solicitors who
won't take no for an answer. Remember, it's your money. It is your
choice. If the respect and consideration in the appeal is not present,
it may not be the kind of nonprofit you want to support in the first
place.
Part II comes in August: How do we know what
the charities do with your money?
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