Friends not sponsoring dh

This is feeling rather spiteful and personal now so I'm going to head out.

With times being what they are, it seems insensitive to ask people for money for what is likely something minor and local. Really, aren't there better targets in the world for donations?

That was clumsy of me. I meant it as a shorthand for the sort of people who have very loud clear cut opinions whilst knowing very little about the actual subject on which they're opining.

And for the record, I have worked with people who wouldn't be considered middle class who have done amazing challenges and raised huge amounts of sponsorship.

Why do you think those rules were formulated? They were created precisely because a lot of people had concerns. Because a lot of people don't like to find they contributed to Larry Lycra's hotel cost rather than actually to XYZ charity's activities

@CountryShepherd It is a common concern.
The people parachuting jumping for charity get a nice parachute jump paid for by their friends and families. And that is how it is marketed to young people especially - ever fancied doing a parachute jump?

Thanks for your concern, but I'm very happy in my work.

I know what the rules are. I'm telling you that no one has ever expressed any concern to me about the concept of charity v self funded places.

Maybe if you spent a little more time educating yourself on the industry you've chosen to work in, you might progress.

I do both

But surely any decent fundraiser is well trained on the rules around charity fundraising. I mean they are pretty cut and dry.

I'm obviously much more lowly than you, I'm not in the boardroom, I spend my time working directly with fundraisers and supporters.

Can you explain why you are seemingly implying it's right-wing to be concerned with the (largely middle-class) phenomenon of exotic experiences being dressed up as "charity fund-raising"?

Nope. Broadsheets (including the guardian), journals and websites centered around the third sector/charity sector , as well as board room discussions and charity focussed training events.

I can only speak from my own experience.

Sorry if you think I haven't been conscientious enough.

Stagger away. No on all those counts.

I mean, I imagine it's the sort of thing that would crop up in Daily Mail comment section but none of the fundraisers or supporters I have worked with have ever raised it.

I find it equally startling you aren't aware it is an issue given that,
a) for all the time I have worked in and advised the charity sector it has been a hotly debated topic (over 20 years now!);
b) the fundraising regulator guidance is robust on this point precisely because of those concerns; and
c) outside the charity sector I have seen this concern come up again and again both on Mumsnet and various other sites /newspaper articles.
If you arent aware, you haven't been paying attention

Nobody has ever raised it with you? And you've never seen it raised, or overheard it raised? This thread is the first time you've come across the thniking?

I find that absolutely staggering.

Well you seem proud of the fact you don't look, so that's hardly surprising.

I find this place quite startling in general. Wait until you come onto being asked to sponsor a stepchild...

Well, whatever you say, people do contribute, supporting their friends generously and wholeheartedly.

Our fundraising is going from strength to strength, we have no issue around credibility.

In all the time I have worked in this sector, no one has ever raised the issue with me. Which is why the level of accusations this evening has been quite startling.

I have only once sponsored a friend doing a fun activity, because they made it clear they were paying for that part themselves.
It also depends on the charity. I can not bare to sponsor MacMillan Cancer as I am still so bloody angry with them.

From the fundraising regulator. https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/code/specific-fundraising-methods/events

I have seen plenty that are unclear and have also seen plenty of articles in the press and heard plenty of discussions at board meetings raising concerns about this.

It should be very very clear whether my £10 is paying for Larry Lycra's air fare or going to pay for XYZ charity's charitable activities

Actually I should have referred to 'sponsorship via online giving platforms' but my points still stand.

I have a lot of experience of fundraising via running events.

A physical bake sale will raise a tiny fraction of funds and awareness of sponsored events, circulated via online networks.

It's a shame because I'm a big fan of cake.

I only sponsor stuff which is useful such as sponsored community rubbish clear ups, etc. I see no point sponsoring someone to do, say, a parachute jump or a walk to Land's End.

I've yet to be asked to donate to anything where I've seen blurred lines. 🤷‍♀️ Lucky me.

But why should I? You're really angry about it and I'm not, you want a row and I have no interest in one. I give on official sites, I know how fundraising works having done plenty of it myself. If someone gets to do something amazing, good, I don't have an issue with someone raising a ton of money and happening to have a life changing experience at the same time.