To think that charities should be better at saying thank you? A donor's lament.

[FreshFreesias]

Some years ago I set up a Trust that makes substantial donations to small and medium animal charities and I am often disappointed to rarely be thanked or acknowledged. Of course, I don’t donate to receive a pat on the back, but it is distressing to receive a generic printed-out thank you form for a 5 figure donation, to have my name misspelt or even, bizarrely, have my bank thanked in a charity’s annual report rather than the Trust.

There is rarely any follow up describing how a donation was spent and what value it has created.

What charities don’t understand is that if they take the time to build up personal relationships with their donors, especially their large donors, they will be ahead of the pack and we will continue to donate to them and remember them in our wills.

I once made a 10k donation to a respected medium-sized charity and in a note with the cheque said I would like to be more involved with elephant and dolphin conservation. I got a lovely note back from the CEO, who I have met before, asking me to contact his secretary to organise a meeting. I’m not sure why the secretary couldn’t contact me herself but never mind. So I duly emailed the secretary and never heard anything back.

Astonishingly, given this tawdry treatment, (I was so upset on discovering that African baby elephants were being torn from their herds to sell to Chinese zoos and this charity specialises in zoo welfare), I contacted the CEO again, pledging 20k to kick start a campaign about this. Again he emailed me, copying in his (presumably very busy) secretary, saying she would contact me to organise a meeting, but she never did. Presumably they are so overwhelmed with large donations, they couldn’t be bothered to follow up mine.

I've had more luck with small rescue charities in Europe, who maintain regular contact, make us feel we are doing something worthwhile and are making a difference.

AIBU to think that charities should spend as much time thanking and building relationships with donors as they do in crafting their appeals for dosh?

I find it really strange charities don't say thank you. I work for an animal charity and always send a thank you letter/email for every donation, no matter the size. It's just basic common courtesy surely?

@MargoLovebutter; I believe I have addressed your question in several of my detailed posts.

@MargoLovebutter; sorry, didn't see your second post. Although not directed to me, presumably they say thank you as they have discovered by doing so, they receive more donations. And perhaps a volunteer is doing this, hence not costing anything. Many people enjoy saying thank you.

FreshFreesias perhaps a volunteer is doing it and maybe there isn't an available volunteer to write a thank you letter at the moment. Volunteers still need to be managed, they don't just organise themselves or turn up at the right moment or necessarily have the right skills at the right time.

Yes I totally agree that charities should do more to thank trusts who give money. BUT the type of charities you talk about are usually massively understaffed and that has an impact. So I am sure they know they should be doing that, but I also understand why it does not happen.

Oh my goodness! @FreshFreesias come and donate to my small charity. I’d fall over myself thanking you. I think I’d actually sob if I got a donor who was able to give over a hundred.

I've worked for small, medium and large charities. Each of them has the no 1 ethos of being grateful to supporters, without whom we wouldn't be able to do the work we do.

As a Trust Fundraiser, it was drummed into me right from the start that you 'thank before you bank'.

I actively encourage donors to visit our services, but am surprised when they decline after I've told them that they won't be able to see our children's services, only our adult projects.

OP, I hope your experience doesn't deter your generosity and that you find a cause that fits with your reason for giving.

@Gazelda; thanks for your kind input. There are no shortages of excellent causes run by amazing people to support. Personally, I find smaller is the way to go although there is a place and need for very large charities as well. I just wrote my post as some charities just shoot themselves in the foot, but that's not to say they are not doing important work.

Dear God THEY DID THANK YOU!

This thread is like a monty python sketch.

@FreshFreesias Thanks for the essay. I actually said in my post that I did not doubt that you cared for these causes. However your continued responses reveal a real lack of self awareness. You seem to have very little understanding of just how stretched the charity sector is. They are demonised for spending too much money on admin costs yet you expect heart felt thank yous and continued updates. This costs money and time which could be spent elsewhere. From experience, continued updates and excessive thanks do not create more donations, it can actually frustrate donors. You are coming across as a very high maintenance donor. If you don't like how a charity operates, find a different one, like you did with the dog kennel requesters. If a charity doesn't meet your standards for communication and they miss out on your donation, that's their problem.

I don't donate to charity Because I don't know where the money actually goes. Also, I have dc to feed/clothe and charity does begin at home.

Even 'small local charities' are capable of wasting money!

I've seen it myself.

@MediocreOmens; sigh. Why not just read my posts before you respond? You accused me of donating to charities because I wanted `an ego massage' and other ridiculous assertions. TBH, your response makes very little sense and is frankly insulting. If charities are not able to even confirm when they receive a large donation, that's entirely up to them. If I choose to work with more responsive people that's my choice. End of.

I think this is part of a wider problem of charities not being properly accountable and transparent.

This is something I feel is true. I’ve worked in the Voluntary Sector for a while, I’m trying to get out. I thought it was one or two organisations but even talking with peers from over voluntary organisations - the whole sector is a mess. I do understand the strain put on the sector but low level corruption is rife, as are useless boards and oddball CEOs.

ITA CaptainMarvelDanvers

@Sockypuppet; if you say so, luv.
Enjoying all your insights,so far - 25 posts and counting 😁

Disagree about low level corruption, my experience is of everyone dping stuff in a shoestring. And inefficiencies being a result of lack of money i.e. not able to buy decent software that would save time for example.

I’m an administrator for a very small charity and I write thank you letters personalised go every traceable donation.
I assume it all comes down to size, the bigger the charity, the more donations come in , the more letters to write, less time to less time to do it?
It’s not right but it happens.
I’m the only employee so I see every donation that comes through so can keep track of who I have thanked.
P.s if anyone is looking for a new charity to donate to, we could do with the help 😉

The Ladder of Charity by Maimonides the 12th century philosopher.

From the bottom, here are the steps up the Golden Ladder:

7 - Giving unwillingly.

6 - Giving willingly but inadequately.

5 - Giving adequately after being asked.

4 - Giving before being asked.

3 - Giving to an unknown recipient.

2 - Giving anonymously to a known recipient.

1 - Giving anonymously to an unknown recipient.