poll re: charitable contributions

*Barbie* · November 2016

How do you feel about requests for charitable contributions? Does the method of delivery impact how you feel? (E.g. a mailer request vs. a checkout person asking you to donate during a shopping trip?)

mrsconn23 · November 2016

I don't mind it at the checkout or whatever. I say yes or no and have no guilt about it. I do love the 'round it up' option that some stores have. It makes it the easiest, IMO.

Work allows you to donate a 'day of pay' and then you are part of the charitable contributors club (which they get special things like coffee bars and lunch once a quarter and entries for special prizes), but I don't participate because I don't work in the office. Also, you don't get to pick the charity, it all goes to our company founder's charity and I feel 'meh' about her charity.

I donate to and participate in JDRF events, since my dad is T1D. I also donated to American Cancer Society this year for a friend who was running the Chicago marathon in his dad's honor (whom just found out there are no more options for his cancer, so he's taking the palliative care route and come what may).

charlotte989875 · November 2016

I love the round-up option at checkouts and wish more businesses did this because I would donate all the time.

I hate appeals from my employer. It drives me bananas they ask for capital campaign donations from faculty and staff. I also hate their appeals for organizations since I don't get to choose where it goes.

I don't mind organizations I belong to or have donated to in the past sending an email or other reminder (especially on Giving Tuesday or when someone is doing a matching event).

I give to PP and the Domestic Violence Project in NYC. Organizations I believe in.

thefanciestbeckler · November 2016

It really doesn't bother me in any form. If I want to give/believe in the organization and am able to give I will.

I also LOVE the round up option at checkout. Panda Express has the option to round up and donate to Children's Hospitals. I always do it. (don't judge me for eating there ) I would do it everywhere if I could, and my OCD DH would love it because our bank account would have nice round 0's at the end of it.

Heffalump · November 2016

I just did the round up at lunch (when I should have been working out, if I had remembered my lunch) for the local children's hospital. They are awesome. We took Wooz there once when she woke up in the middle of the night with pneumonia, and they were amazing.

I do say no to most of the random requests at checkouts, just because we already have our charity giving planned out. I usually ignore all the mailers and stuff we get, too. But I am a total, 100% sucker for kids going door to door with cookie dough, wrapping paper, etc. raising money for their extracurriculars.

We give at work--my office just does the run of the mill Thanksgiving food drive, Children's Home Christmas donations, stuff like that. DH's work is fancier and they have some kind of campaign and it's more formal, with payroll deductions and stuff. They also pay for them to volunteer every so often, and they wear these gaudy red company tees (lest you not know who they work for when they're doing their volunteer stint) and go serve lunch at a soup kitchen or whatever. And we give at school, for various things. Preschool just finished their own canned food drive, now it's the toy drive, and then it will be winter coats.

It doesn't bother me when people ask. I figure if they don't ask, they don't get; I don't have to say yes.

MissKittyDanger · November 2016

It doesn't bother me when asked. If I have the money on me, I will donate. If I don't have it, then I don't do it. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Depends on the charity also. Certain ones, I always ensure I donate to because I feel like they're more local {school breakfast club, kids reading club}

MissKittyDanger · November 2016

Also I rarely throw out things. Unless it's really not fixable or something gross about it - we donate things. {old clothes, kitchen stuff, furniture, etc}

The things go to Value Village, but they donate money to CDA {Canadian Diabetes Association}

Unless it's winter stuff. Then that typically goes to "the snowsuit fund" that goes into the community for those who can't afford winter gear.

CharmedPam · November 2016

I donated today and it was the first time i ever saw "add $___ so 100% of your donation goes to the charity" or "$0.00 I don't want to cover the charity's fees" as an option during the checkout.

Is this new? Fees being, what, taxes?

Heffalump · November 2016

CharmedPam said:

I donated today and it was the first time i ever saw "add $___ so 100% of your donation goes to the charity" or "$0.00 I don't want to cover the charity's fees" as an option during the checkout.

Is this new? Fees being, what, taxes?

Credit card fees, maybe? I don't know, I've never seen that--just guessing.

cowgirl8238 · November 2016

I used to be a cashier at a large supermarket and I hated having to ask everyone that came through the line...I understand the point but it still sucked when the campaigns ran for a month or more and you kept asking the same people.

In general I will only give to CMN during their local annual fundraiser here, and contribute by donating all of our goods/clothes/etc to various drives or organizations.

The only "impulse" donations are the "round up your change" ones. They are so easy to do and I don't miss that 54 cents. I feel like these would raise more in the long run than asking people for whole dollar amounts. Yes I know its only a dollar, but it sounds like a significant difference from the 89 cents I gave even if it isn't...its the same reason things cost 4.99 and not 5.00.

glasgowtolondon · November 2016

I am super lazy so the easier it is for me the more likely I am to give. I give to my main charity straight out of my paycheck every month through a scheme we have in the UK. Makes it super easy and I'm a bit ashamed to admit that there is a charity I'd prefer to donate to but don't because they weren't on the list. The one I really like needs a mailed cheque or a printed and mailed direct debit letter to set anything up....so they sadly only get cash from me when there is an easy opportunity. The easier you make it, the better!

6fsn · November 2016

I don't mind being asked at the check out. I do feel like there is a constant request at school. I voted that I give more out of guilt. Sometimes I want to give one pair of mittens, but every kid wants to take them in so I end up sending 3 pairs. Instead of one peanut butter I'm sending 3.

short+sassy · November 2016

mrsconn23 said:

I don't mind it at the checkout or whatever. I say yes or no and have no guilt about it. I do love the 'round it up' option that some stores have. It makes it the easiest, IMO.

Work allows you to donate a 'day of pay' and then you are part of the charitable contributors club (which they get special things like coffee bars and lunch once a quarter and entries for special prizes), but I don't participate because I don't work in the office. Also, you don't get to pick the charity, it all goes to our company founder's charity and I feel 'meh' about her charity.

I donate to and participate in JDRF events, since my dad is T1D. I also donated to American Cancer Society this year for a friend who was running the Chicago marathon in his dad's honor (whom just found out there are no more options for his cancer, so he's taking the palliative care route and come what may).

I have Type I also! I don't donate much money to charitable organizations, in general. But, when I do, it is also to the JDRF. Because even in my charitable giving I am selfish, lol. "Here's my charitable donation, please find a cure to fix me." FTR, I only laugh at myself that way. Of course, I do not side-eye myself or anybody else for donating to a cause that personally affects them or a loved one.

I've never heard of the rounding up thing at check-out for a store. I'd probably participate in that if it was a charity I liked. I'm the kind of dorky person who leaves a $5.37 tip if I'm paying with a credit card, so my total charge comes out even.

Sometimes I'll donate money if someone I know personally has had a medical hardship. At a previous company I worked at, one of the women in our group was diagnosed with breast cancer. The company allowed people to donate sick or vacation time to her. I donated 4 hours. I thought that was a really neat and innovative way for the company to let employees help one of their coworkers.

I can also be a sucker for kids selling things. But I rarely run into that (thankfully). At most of my jobs, parents will put the order brochure in the break room. I'll flip through them, but there is rarely anything I want. But it's a whole different story if the child themselves shows me a brochure and asks if I want to order. I admire gumption in a youngster and have to order something.

*Barbie* · November 2016

Heffa's post followed immediately by an e-mailed solicitation from an acquaintance about donating to her charity made me think of this - but I actually had a conversation with my mom about this whole thing, yesterday.

I'm kind of the opposite - the people at the checkout annoy the crap out of me. I know it's a corporate thing and not that person, but the constant bombardment annoys me. My company does this 6-8 week United Way campaign every year, and it's a BFD - so then I run errands at lunch and get asked for donations at 3/4 places I stop. It just seems excessive - especially the whole speech. Seriously lady, I already said no thanks, just ring up my sandwich and let me go back to the office so I can get bombarded there.

(I do agree with you on the round-up tactic - it would probably be more efficient than asking for full dollar amounts.)

The corporate United Way drive also annoys me - can you tell? It's just over the top.

My company does a lot of charity work, donation matching, contributions for volunteers, etc. that is awesome, I just think the massive UW campaign is overkill.

I prefer to volunteer time and donate needed items (new and gently used) because then I know it's going to help someone/i can see the impact rather than just paying overhead on a charity; however, we do have several charities that we regularly give a cash donation.

MissKittyDanger · November 2016

mrsconn23 said:

I donate to and participate in JDRF events, since my dad is T1D. I also donated to American Cancer Society this year for a friend who was running the Chicago marathon in his dad's honor (whom just found out there are no more options for his cancer, so he's taking the palliative care route and come what may).

Fun fact, I sell Steeped Tea and they do a bunch of donations to JDRF also

Certain teas will send proceeds to them, and every so often {maybe diabetes awareness times? idk} they'll have promos that send more donation to them

Ro041 · November 2016

People at check-outs asking for donations don't bother me. I always say no and don't ever feel guilty. I prefer to donate my money (and a significant amount of time) to local organizations. I can donate directly from my check and that goes to PP. Other than that, I volunteer as a (dog) foster mom and at the local pet food pantry so my charitable donations go to those organizations. I tend to believe that small donations make the biggest impact when they are made to local groups designed to make my community better (a dog rescue can do more with my $50 in my community than the United Way can, IMO).

But anytime a friend asks me for money for whatever charity they believe it, I give.

*Barbie* · November 2016

the comment that i made to my mom about the constant bombardment in stores is this - e.g. in a grocery store that's soliciting for a food bank, you know they will have customers that truly cannot afford to give, and may even be using that food bank to feed their family. i'm sure they appreciate that others choose to give, but at the same time, may end up feeling awful that they can't/because they are the recipient. it's probably not something they want to announce in the store.

(she mentioned some of the cashiers in her local store getting confrontational/disrespectful when people said no or said that they gave the last time, which is what spurred that example. one of the ladies got an earful from me when she was the 3rd person to solicit me that day during the UW campaign and I declined and she felt the need to delay ringing up my purchase to continue talking about how great the charity is)

short+sassy · November 2016

Be careful with United Way. And what is the deal that this is the charity so many companies jump on? My work does a United Way drive.

Any money that is not designated goes to the local United Way organization. For a donation of $26 or more, you can choose a different charity that they cooperate with.

When I checked out the "stats" for our local United Way organization, they were HORRIBLE!!!! Like 80% of the money goes to "overhead". I've always done the $26 or more, so I could pick the JDRF. But it makes me sick that my organization and some of my coworkers are donating their hard earned money...thinking they are doing a good thing....when only 20 cents on the dollar goes to actually helping anyone .

*Barbie* · November 2016

short+sassy said:

Be careful with United Way. And what is the deal that this is the charity so many companies jump on? My work does a United Way drive.
Any money that is not designated goes to the local United Way organization. For a donation of $26 or more, you can choose a different charity that they cooperate with.
When I checked out the "stats" for our local United Way organization, they were HORRIBLE!!!! Like 80% of the money goes to "overhead". I've always done the $26 or more, so I could pick the JDRF. But it makes me sick that my organization and some of my coworkers are donating their hard earned money...thinking they are doing a good thing....when only 20 cents on the dollar goes to actually helping anyone .

that's why i don't donate to UW - they charge overhead on my donation and then redistribute to another charity. no thanks, i'll help that other charity directly.

Ro041 · November 2016

short+sassy said:

Be careful with United Way. And what is the deal that this is the charity so many companies jump on? My work does a United Way drive.
Any money that is not designated goes to the local United Way organization. For a donation of $26 or more, you can choose a different charity that they cooperate with.
When I checked out the "stats" for our local United Way organization, they were HORRIBLE!!!! Like 80% of the money goes to "overhead". I've always done the $26 or more, so I could pick the JDRF. But it makes me sick that my organization and some of my coworkers are donating their hard earned money...thinking they are doing a good thing....when only 20 cents on the dollar goes to actually helping anyone .

Exactly why I like to donate to local organizations. They often time have no paid staff which means all of my money goes to the mission.

lyndausvi · November 2016

It's funny you bring this up. I don't mind when people ask me, but I'm totally uncomfortable asking others. I'm doing a charity event on Saturday. Need to raise $100. I pretty much know I will be donating some of the money because I just feel bad asking people. Especially this time of year when money is tight for a lot of people already. The charity is for organ/tissue donation. While a worthy cause, this time of year people seem more interested in homeless and families in need to give them a nice holiday season.

mrsconn23 · November 2016

lyndausvi said:

It's funny you bring this up. I don't mind when people ask me, but I'm totally uncomfortable asking others. I'm doing a charity event on Saturday. Need to raise $100. I pretty much know I will be donating some of the money because I just feel bad asking people. Especially this time of year when money is tight for a lot of people already. The charity is for organ/tissue donation. While a worthy cause, this time of year people seem more interested in homeless and families in need to give them a nice holiday season.

Do you have a link? I'd be happy to donate.

lyndausvi · November 2016

mrsconn23 said:

lyndausvi said:

It's funny you bring this up. I don't mind when people ask me, but I'm totally uncomfortable asking others. I'm doing a charity event on Saturday. Need to raise $100. I pretty much know I will be donating some of the money because I just feel bad asking people. Especially this time of year when money is tight for a lot of people already. The charity is for organ/tissue donation. While a worthy cause, this time of year people seem more interested in homeless and families in need to give them a nice holiday season.

Do you have a link? I'd be happy to donate.

That is sweet. Any amount is appreciated.

Sending a PM, for obvious reasons.

ernursej · November 2016

I don't mind asks. I hate charity mail that comes with 'bonus' stickers/post-it notes etc. Don't spend money to get me to donate. I prefer in person, e-mail or something to click on when I'm browsing the internet.

mrsconn23 · November 2016

lyndausvi said:

mrsconn23 said:

lyndausvi said:

It's funny you bring this up. I don't mind when people ask me, but I'm totally uncomfortable asking others. I'm doing a charity event on Saturday. Need to raise $100. I pretty much know I will be donating some of the money because I just feel bad asking people. Especially this time of year when money is tight for a lot of people already. The charity is for organ/tissue donation. While a worthy cause, this time of year people seem more interested in homeless and families in need to give them a nice holiday season.

Do you have a link? I'd be happy to donate.

That is sweet. Any amount is appreciated.

Sending a PM, for obvious reasons.

Done!

lyndausvi · November 2016

mrsconn23 said:

lyndausvi said:

mrsconn23 said:

lyndausvi said:

It's funny you bring this up. I don't mind when people ask me, but I'm totally uncomfortable asking others. I'm doing a charity event on Saturday. Need to raise $100. I pretty much know I will be donating some of the money because I just feel bad asking people. Especially this time of year when money is tight for a lot of people already. The charity is for organ/tissue donation. While a worthy cause, this time of year people seem more interested in homeless and families in need to give them a nice holiday season.

Do you have a link? I'd be happy to donate.

That is sweet. Any amount is appreciated.

Sending a PM, for obvious reasons.

Done!

Love you! Thank you! Will send pictures. Although it will be at night, with headlamps. So....

lovesclimbing · November 2016

I voted that I'm a special snowflake.

I don't care about the method of delivery. Whatever they do or don't send or email or have at the checkout counter does not in any way influence my giving.

I give to certain organizations and that rarely changes. They send me follow up letters and solicitations, but that never influences me to give. H and I give 10 % of our income to religious organizations that do a variety of work. Our local church, ones that help the homeless and needy, overseas work, etc. I give to them when I have tithe to give, regardless of what solicitations they send.

I never give at the checkout counter, and I don't feel bad about it. I've never been berated or criticized for declining, and I'd probably give the person an earful if they did! That and send a sternly worded letter to corporate about the company culture that leads to their employees making customers feel bad about their giving habits or lack thereof.

cupcait927 · November 2016

For those that have been bombarded by cashiers at the checkout - I worked at Wegmans for a loooong time as a cashier and every year we did the United Way donation drive. I absolutely loathed asking customers to donate but if you didn't, you got in trouble. They also had mini contests every day for who could get the most donations, and they'd usually give away a bigger prize ($100 giftcard, free vacation day, etc) for the cashier that got the most donations at the end of the drive. So if they're hounding you, it's probably not because they even care about the charity, it's because they want to win a contest. Not that it makes it okay, and no one should be berated by a cashier into donating, but it can make people a little competitive.

Heffalump · November 2016

lovesclimbing said:

I never give at the checkout counter, and I don't feel bad about it. I've never been berated or criticized for declining, and I'd probably give the person an earful if they did! That and send a sternly worded letter to corporate about the company culture that leads to their employees making customers feel bad about their giving habits or lack thereof.

That has always been my experience, too. It's right up there with "plastic or paper" and "credit or debit." I have never felt that they are terribly invested in my decision, they're just moving me through the line, same as everyone.

cupcait927 said:

For those that have been bombarded by cashiers at the checkout - I worked at Wegmans for a loooong time as a cashier and every year we did the United Way donation drive. I absolutely loathed asking customers to donate but if you didn't, you got in trouble. They also had mini contests every day for who could get the most donations, and they'd usually give away a bigger prize ($100 giftcard, free vacation day, etc) for the cashier that got the most donations at the end of the drive. So if they're hounding you, it's probably not because they even care about the charity, it's because they want to win a contest. Not that it makes it okay, and no one should be berated by a cashier into donating, but it can make people a little competitive.

That's kind of crappy. In theory, the cashiers don't have any control over who donates and who doesn't, so it seems unfair to incentivize them on that. Especially if it leads to behavior that isn't customer-friendly. (Also, jealous of you for having Wegmans!)

*Barbie* said:

Heffa's post followed immediately by an e-mailed solicitation from an acquaintance about donating to her charity made me think of this - but I actually had a conversation with my mom about this whole thing, yesterday.

I'm kind of the opposite - the people at the checkout annoy the crap out of me. I know it's a corporate thing and not that person, but the constant bombardment annoys me. My company does this 6-8 week United Way campaign every year, and it's a BFD - so then I run errands at lunch and get asked for donations at 3/4 places I stop. It just seems excessive - especially the whole speech. Seriously lady, I already said no thanks, just ring up my sandwich and let me go back to the office so I can get bombarded there.

(I do agree with you on the round-up tactic - it would probably be more efficient than asking for full dollar amounts.)

The corporate United Way drive also annoys me - can you tell? It's just over the top.

My company does a lot of charity work, donation matching, contributions for volunteers, etc. that is awesome, I just think the massive UW campaign is overkill.

I prefer to volunteer time and donate needed items (new and gently used) because then I know it's going to help someone/i can see the impact rather than just paying overhead on a charity; however, we do have several charities that we regularly give a cash donation.

So, honest question: the very act of being asked is what annoys you?

cupcait927 · November 2016

@Heffalump I have vowed to H that we will never live anywhere that doesn't have a Wegmans. When we were in Orlando last week, we had to shop at Publix and it was AWFUL.

And yeah, I never thought it was a great idea to make getting donations into a contest. It doesn't really seem to be in line with the spirit of giving and I could tell that a lot of customers were irritated with being asked after about a week. We did start doing the round up option a couple of years before I quit and that turned to be the most popular way for people to give, at least in my experience. Much easier to ask and much more well-received.

charlotte989875 · November 2016

cupcait927 said:

@Heffalump I have vowed to H that we will never live anywhere that doesn't have a Wegmans. When we were in Orlando last week, we had to shop at Publix and it was AWFUL.

And yeah, I never thought it was a great idea to make getting donations into a contest. It doesn't really seem to be in line with the spirit of giving and I could tell that a lot of customers were irritated with being asked after about a week. We did start doing the round up option a couple of years before I quit and that turned to be the most popular way for people to give, at least in my experience. Much easier to ask and much more well-received.

Trust me. It is as terrible as you think it is.

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