To be really annoyed with charity letters

[PodgeBod]

Just had yet another one through the doorstep. On the front is a sad little puppy looking up with big eyes and the words "Please don't throw me away again". On the back it says "Spud was thrown out like rubbish. Will you help us rescue more abandoned animals like him?" It's the RSPCA.
AIBU to be really irritated by this? I used to support the RSPCA through a cash gift every month and I got so fed up with the constant calls asking me to increase the amount or a one off gift of a larger amount. I had to stop my charity giving because I'm going through hard times financially so getting something like this through the post makes me feel guilty but also pissed off at the manipulation of it all.
I understand the need to fundraise but I don't want to feel like I'm getting a guilt trip if I'm not donating.
AIBU to think that fundraising charities should send out clear, factual material and not lay on the guilt quite so thick.

Well I think YABU.

They need to raise funds, and need to do it in the best way they can. It’s as simple as that.

Just donate to any you want to, bin the rest.

Having worked for a charity in the past I can assure you that clear, factual material does absolutely nothing to encourage people to donate

Yes, I agree with the OP.

Do they just assume we're all surrounded by piles of cash like on Dragon's Den wondering what to do with it?

I can't afford to give to charity. Shit like that just makes me feel guilty and bad about myself.

I work for a charity. Unfortunately this is what you have to do to get people to donate.

Is this a circular? Or are you still on their mailing list? If it's the latter, they will use more emotional stories in order to get you to Re-engage

I donate to several charities and if they phone me I say very pleasantly that I am not able to increase my donation and do not wish to receive any further calls or begging letters. It’s been effective. If they did continue to call I would cancel since I don’t want my donation to be spent that way.

I bin any stray letters.

They do it because it works.

Just recycle them and get on with your day.

Ditto what DietCokeGirrrrrl said. Non-emotive stuff wouldn't work. You also have the option to opt out of getting mail from charities of course. And just chuck stuff in the bin without looking at it.

But another person might say, "I don't want to read facts, I want something that will appeal to my heart. Convince me your charity is worth my money."

The harassment for more once you start giving is annoying, but I think they are getting better at listening if you tell them what types of communication you do and don't want.

YANBU. "Charity porn" as it's known doesn't work on me. Personally I'm more likely to respond to facts rather than attempts to make me feel guilty and responsible for something that is not my fault.

It was a general circular, I have moved house since I donated. I do have to look at it to make sure it's not a bill or something and it says in big letters "don't throw me away" with a puppy to catch your eye.

I've never heard the term charity porn before! That's a great way to describe it.

Having a cold flinty stone for a heart has its uses

Just recycle it and move on, OP.

Charity fundraising tactics really annoy me - I don't give to charities that I see chugging in the street or that cold call/send me unsolicited mail.

I do quite a lot of fun runs and some charities are awful. You sign up to the Race for Life and you are bombarded with paperwork telling you to step up your fundraising by hosting coffee mornings/having cake sales etc etc. (Sorry - I thought bad diets were one of the causes of cancer in the first place?)

I have applied for a ballot place in the London Marathon every year for the last 13 and never been successful. However I could always get a charity place - if I am prepared to raise £2000 in sponsorship (at current rates) which I have to underwrite for them.

It's getting to be overkill IMO and there are too many charities with their own sets of overheads fighting for funds. The whole sector needs a really good overhaul.