random thoughts on random topics...
Fund Raising Parasites
Posted 16th-February-2009 at 07:05 PM by sjs
We regularly receive letters from organizations requesting support for various causes, like hospitals looking for money to fund research. Once hooked into donating a few dollars from time to time, these organizations keep the requests coming. On top of that our address seems to have spread like wildfire jumping from one mailing list to another. An uncontrolled inferno. It reminds me of a parasitic relationship, starting with a few organisms. Multiplying relentlessly their numbers grow. They not only feed off our donation money, but on the natural resources around us.
They follow up with letters of thanks, describing their need for more money, or explain new causes for which they need funding. Recently they have all gotten into the practice of including personalized mailing labels, mini calendars, and greeting cards It has gotten to the point where I probably have enough greeting cards and mailing labels to last me for many years to come. At the rate we are receiving them however we will have enough for a lifetime, and have plenty left over to open up the next rival to Hallmark!
From an environmental standpoint it seems preposterous. After all what a waste of paper. A waste of energy and resources. Imagine I am not the only one receiving these letters. There are others in my neighborhood, in my city, across the whole country. They have taken a place alongside all the junk mail advertisements that bombard our doorsteps.
In fact it can get so annoying that I have at times considered severing my ties by sending a message to each organization requesting them to stop. While I agree they should perhaps limit their use of paper, use recycled paper, or send less often. But should they stop altogether? Perhaps there is another way. With today's prevalence of spam and junk e-mail perhaps they may find a niche online that would reduce the burden on our forests.
On the hunt for a greener alternative I discover there is another way. Technology it seems can make a difference. I first check each organization's online site to see if they accept alternatives to mail donations. Many of them do. I have found that alternatives come in the form of telephone, in person, or online donations.
Ok that solves the junk paper issue but it doesn't prevent others from taking their place. To deal with the privacy of ones mailing address I discover a way to donate anonymously online. Organizations such as 'Just Give' allow you to donate to your favorite companies while they keep your identity and most importantly your address private.
Finally I discover investment vehicles such as donor advised funds. These are accounts that allow people to donate cash or other assets such as those from stocks or mutual funds, for distribution to charities of choice at the times of their choosing while allowing them to benefit immediately from charitable tax deductions. It is a good alternative to setting up a private foundation or if you give a lot of money to many organizations but do not want to track your receipts.
In the end I'm glad I found that these alternatives exist for I realize my parasites aren't parasites at all. Its a symbiotic relationship we share, perhaps a kind of mutualism. If I sever the link, I may end up starving myself.
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For more information please visit the following sites.
Donating anonymously online
JustGive.org - JustGive
Network for Good :: Home
Donor Advised Funds
Donor advised fund - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fool.com: Charitable Gift Trusts
Tips on how to reduce Junk Mail in general
UK - Stop Junk Mail - The easy and effective way to stamp out junk mail
US - Bay Area Junk Mail Reduction Campaign
Canada - Red Dot Campaign | Now Say NO to Junk Mail
Austrailia - Junk Mail
They follow up with letters of thanks, describing their need for more money, or explain new causes for which they need funding. Recently they have all gotten into the practice of including personalized mailing labels, mini calendars, and greeting cards It has gotten to the point where I probably have enough greeting cards and mailing labels to last me for many years to come. At the rate we are receiving them however we will have enough for a lifetime, and have plenty left over to open up the next rival to Hallmark!
From an environmental standpoint it seems preposterous. After all what a waste of paper. A waste of energy and resources. Imagine I am not the only one receiving these letters. There are others in my neighborhood, in my city, across the whole country. They have taken a place alongside all the junk mail advertisements that bombard our doorsteps.
In fact it can get so annoying that I have at times considered severing my ties by sending a message to each organization requesting them to stop. While I agree they should perhaps limit their use of paper, use recycled paper, or send less often. But should they stop altogether? Perhaps there is another way. With today's prevalence of spam and junk e-mail perhaps they may find a niche online that would reduce the burden on our forests.
On the hunt for a greener alternative I discover there is another way. Technology it seems can make a difference. I first check each organization's online site to see if they accept alternatives to mail donations. Many of them do. I have found that alternatives come in the form of telephone, in person, or online donations.
Ok that solves the junk paper issue but it doesn't prevent others from taking their place. To deal with the privacy of ones mailing address I discover a way to donate anonymously online. Organizations such as 'Just Give' allow you to donate to your favorite companies while they keep your identity and most importantly your address private.
Finally I discover investment vehicles such as donor advised funds. These are accounts that allow people to donate cash or other assets such as those from stocks or mutual funds, for distribution to charities of choice at the times of their choosing while allowing them to benefit immediately from charitable tax deductions. It is a good alternative to setting up a private foundation or if you give a lot of money to many organizations but do not want to track your receipts.
In the end I'm glad I found that these alternatives exist for I realize my parasites aren't parasites at all. Its a symbiotic relationship we share, perhaps a kind of mutualism. If I sever the link, I may end up starving myself.
---
For more information please visit the following sites.
Donating anonymously online
JustGive.org - JustGive
Network for Good :: Home
Donor Advised Funds
Donor advised fund - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fool.com: Charitable Gift Trusts
Tips on how to reduce Junk Mail in general
UK - Stop Junk Mail - The easy and effective way to stamp out junk mail
US - Bay Area Junk Mail Reduction Campaign
Canada - Red Dot Campaign | Now Say NO to Junk Mail
Austrailia - Junk Mail
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Comments
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Some charities have become almost like organized beggars. Doesn't do them or their cause much good.Posted 17th-February-2009 at 02:30 AM by karmakop
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