Save the Children and general charity rant

PaulJM

I feel a bit bad doing this, but it's something that has left me feeling indignant, and has affected my finely tuned sense of justice, so here goes.

I give some money, every month, to Save the Children. It's not a nominal amount - I give them a fair amount.
I do it because I think it's the best cause out there for me (everyone has their cause), and because it takes a little bit of guilt away when people on the street or at the door ask me for money - I can say that I do give to charity. I give less to a few others.
Anyway, I've had three calls in a week from Save The Children, to ask me for more money.
It's bad enough getting one call - does anyone else find that ridiculously bad manners - but getting three is taking the mick.

When I told the guy, very politely, that i thought it morally wrong that they should do this, he said "Well, we understand some people cannot afford more money in the present climate".
Talk about adding insult to injury - he's totally missed the point.

When I expressed the wish to not be called again asking for money, I was told that they couldn't remove me from their list, and I could well be called again.

This all feels very wrong. I know some charities have to be run like businesses, but isn't this going too far?
Isn't it a bit like giving a homeless person a sandwich, and them then chasing you down the road for a 3 course meal at the Ivy?
I don't want to remove my donations, as that's like holding the final benefactors up for ransom, but..I mean..come on!

PlutoinCapricorn

It is completely wrong to say that they can't remove you from their list.

Reputable charities maintain flags on their database to indicate who has asked not to be phoned. It certainly is standard practice to approach donors from time to time with a request for a further/larger donation, but you can ask not to be telephoned. Lists need to be re-created each time to get up to date details.

POPPYOSCAR

Unfortunately this seems to be the norm now.

Whilst charities continue to pay people on a commission basis to raise funds you will always get this.

I am also fed up with the continual pressure and 'guilt' tactics that many use.

I have also seen so much money wasted by employees of charities that I am now very careful who I donate my hard earned money to.

I_wanna_live_for_free

I think that if they said they can't remove you from the lists, then I would reconsider making my donations.

System

Why did you give them your phone number in the first place? I'm always careful who I give my number to!

Phone up say you've changed your phone and give them a fake number

Mindless_Clone

I_wanna_live_for_free wrote: »

I think that if they said they can't remove you from the lists, then I would reconsider making my donations.

That's exactly what I would do. And find some smaller / grass roots organisations to split your donation between instead. You could probably still support similar charities doing similar work this way. Smaller charities tend to be more streamlined in terms of overheads so more money gets used where needed anyway.

OlliesDad

PaulJM wrote: »

I know some charities have to be run like businesses, but isn't this going too far?

Just being nit picky, but charities ARE businesses.

PaulJM

goater78 wrote: »

Why did you give them your phone number in the first place? I'm always careful who I give my number to!

Phone up say you've changed your phone and give them a fake number

Pure naivity, in this case - just didn't think they'd use it to chase more money down. Usually I wouldn't give it to anyone!
You live and learn eh.

I think I might wait to see if there are any further calls, and if so cancel the DD and find some smaller kids charities (not charities for smaller kids, smaller charities for kids...ahem)

knightstyle

Before giving to any charity try to find out how much of your donation is going on salaries etc. and how much to the main cause of the charity. Plus many of the people who stop you in the street or ring up are on commission and the charity only gets a small percentage of your donation.

PlutoinCapricorn

PaulJM you could try this procedure:

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/contact-us/complaints-procedure

knightstyle

Just found this on the presidents income!!!
Save The Children
https://www.savethechildren.org
Charles MacCormack, President:
Jan 2010- Dec 2010: $339,767 + $51'427+ $38'500+ $28'4800=$458'174
Oct 2007- Sept 2008: $354'081 +$66'805 +$5'735 = $426'621