I was sure it was a scam, but it wasn't.

[bindeweede]

Just returned from visiting the Ma. She told me that 2 weeks ago she'd had a phone call from "Cancer Research" asking her to donate £5 a week. She explained she could not afford that, as she was a pensioner. She was asked if £2 a month would be OK, and she said yes. She was asked to complete a Direct Debit, but her account doesn't support them, or Standing Orders, so was told to send her cheques to a PO Box in Central London.

I was convinced it was a scam, spoke to Cancer Research a few minutes ago, and it's not a scam. I was told they "outsource" fund-raising to telemarketing companies. I have complained that putting this sort of moral pressure on to the elderly is, in my view, shabby, even though they need the money. They are to investigate my complaint and contact me eventually.

So, does "anything go" when it comes to high-profile national charities raising money? I am really surprised at all of this.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

Those young people who try to accost you on the street - they are agents trying to get you to sign up for direct debits to various charities.

They aren't employed by the charity and I can't remember how much their cut is - but the charity doesn't see as much of your money as you would like.

I guess the charities prefer to get money by whatever means.

Personally I manage to donate through my work to a nominated charity and they match the contribution. I wouldn't dream of signing up to someone who is getting a commission from my donation.

[Zaira]

bindeweede,

So sorry to hear your ma had to put up with that crap. But thanks for the heads up. I'll be there myself some time soon.

[bindeweede]

Those young people who try to accost you on the street - they are agents trying to get you to sign up for direct debits to various charities.

They aren't employed by the charity and I can't remember how much their cut is - but the charity doesn't see as much of your money as you would like.

I guess the charities prefer to get money by whatever means.

Personally I manage to donate through my work to a nominated charity and they match the contribution. I wouldn't dream of signing up to someone who is getting a commission from my donation.

A few years ago, I signed up with "Friends of the Earth", with those young people, just for £5 a month. A little while later, their catalogue arrived - vegan condoms???? organic cotton sheets (extremely expensive).. An "energy-saving toaster" at £179.99 +p&p. I might be wrong about the organic boomerang.

I cancelled the DD. The word "barking" comes to mind.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

I also dislike receiving their glossy newsletters 3 or 4 times a year. The amount they must spend on printing and postage to try to encourage donors to contribute more is staggering, and one wonders if it is worth the return.

The fund raising is treated as a business - with a chief executive with a salary to match.

I do wonder whether they raise any more money than they used to without the high pressure tactics, but I think it is inevitable as there do seem to be many more charites fighting for our money than say 20 years ago.

[bindeweede]

I also dislike receiving their glossy newsletters 3 or 4 times a year. The amount they must spend on printing and postage to try to encourage donors to contribute more is staggering, and one wonders if it is worth the return.

The fund raising is treated as a business - with a chief executive with a salary to match.

I do wonder whether they raise any more money than they used to without the high pressure tactics, but I think it is inevitable as there do seem to be many more charites fighting for our money than say 20 years ago.

Quite a few years ago I saw that the the NSPCC spent 44% of its income on admin/publicity. I can't verify that, and I have tried to find out how much various charities spend on those areas, but have been unable.

The figures must be out there somewhere - Freedom of Information and all that.

And I DO NOT WANT Christmas catalogues in August. Two weeks ago, the Ma and I were having a snack in a garden centre, and they were putting the fairy lights up. JFC.

Just a thought - are we just 2 grumpy old men?

[Matt]

Quite a few years ago I saw that the the NSPCC spent 44% of its income on admin/publicity. I can't verify that, and I have tried to find out how much various charities spend on those areas, but have been unable.

The figures must be out there somewhere - Freedom of Information and all that.

And I DO NOT WANT Christmas catalogues in August. Two weeks ago, the Ma and I were having a snack in a garden centre, and they were putting the fairy lights up. JFC.

Just a thought - are we just 2 grumpy old men?

It's difficult to critcise some charities for spending money on publicity if raising awareness for their cause is part of their raison d'etre.

[bindeweede]

I have found a site which lists charities, what percentage of income they spend on admin, fundraising etc. I find it very interesting, though I've not had time to examine the charities I am interested
in.

http://www.charitiesdirect.com/charitiessearch.asp

I don't know where I got the 44% for the NSPCC but it is completely wrong. Apologies for a bad and mis-leading post.

[tkingdoll]

I was recently accosted in London by a young man canvassing for a charity. I outright said "you work on commission, right?".

He denied it. I was convinced enough that he was lying to walk away.

My personal approach to charity is to find the ones I want to support, and get involved. For example, my business sponsors a local programme to help families in poverty. I will physically buy toys or hampers at Christmas to be distributed to these families. No admin fees involved.

I also donate directly to a local homeless shelter. I used to have a DD with Oxfam but I got annoyed with the constant snail mail they sent asking for more.

[Zaira]

tkingdoll,
You have the right idea, the 'Do It Yourself' approach.

And I would personally like to commend you for your personal contribution to help families in poverty. Been there and know what is like to be hungry. People like you can not be praised too much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the good work.

[Cuddles]

My personal approach to charity is to find the ones I want to support, and get involved.

This is what I prefer as well. I think this extends not just to salespeople but to charity events as well. How much money is spent on things like charity concerts and the like compared with how much money they actually make for charity? While the occasional one-off event, like the original Live Aid, probably are a big help, ripoffs like Live8 seem to serve no purpose other than stroking the egos of some "celebrities".

Possibly I'm a little cynical, but I always feel that events like this convince people that because they give occasionaly when some mindless TV unpersonality tells them to that there is no point in giving the rest of the time. Things like Red Nose Day seem like a nice idea, but how much money is lost to charity because people don't bother to give when not being told?

[tkingdoll]

tkingdoll,
You have the right idea, the 'Do It Yourself' approach.

And I would personally like to commend you for your personal contribution to help families in poverty. Been there and know what is like to be hungry. People like you can not be praised too much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the good work.

Aw, shucks. I've been there too, in the worst way. But some kind people helped my family a lot when I was a kid, and it's important to do the same, I feel.

Poverty is a hell of a trap. Often though, it just takes a little inspiration and hope for someone to break through it.

[Zaira]

True. Someone helped us too when I was a kid. It was my first insight to the fact that there were some lovely people out there. Now, I hope I’m one of them. I know you are.

[Woodchopper]

In some areas, direct marketing - knocking on doors or cold calling - is much more effective then other forms of marketing. I used to do that for a living a long time ago.

All forms of advertising cost money. Most of them are pretty ineffective. The best way for a charity to raise money is to pay some nice person to accost you on the street, or knock on your door. Its the same story for the gas and electricity companies.

Most people cant be bothered to set up a direct debit, even if hey support the charity. The key is to get you to sign there and then.

It can be very intrusive and annoying. But if they didn't do it they would raise less money.

[bindeweede]

Just returned from visiting the Ma. She told me that 2 weeks ago she'd had a phone call from "Cancer Research" asking her to donate £5 a week. She explained she could not afford that, as she was a pensioner. She was asked if £2 a month would be OK, and she said yes. She was asked to complete a Direct Debit, but her account doesn't support them, or Standing Orders, so was told to send her cheques to a PO Box in Central London.

I was convinced it was a scam, spoke to Cancer Research a few minutes ago, and it's not a scam. I was told they "outsource" fund-raising to telemarketing companies. I have complained that putting this sort of moral pressure on to the elderly is, in my view, shabby, even though they need the money. They are to investigate my complaint and contact me eventually.

So, does "anything go" when it comes to high-profile national charities raising money? I am really surprised at all of this.

Well, a month has gone by - no communication. Not impressed.