Like every other person on the planet, I receive endless requests for money from worthy causes. Some are global; some are local. Some are religious; many are not.
As a veteran of the philanthropic sector, I know it is the duty of nonprofits to ask. And as a thoughtful person with some disposable income, I know it is my duty to give – and give wisely.
I like to know what happens to my money. Is it just going to overhead? Are there special projects happening and a need that's arisen? What kind of progress is going on?
In the wake of the Greg Mortenson melt-down, I've been thinking about fund-raising. Even more so after a solicitation I received this week from an organization I support.
They thanked me for my giving, appreciated my using a direct transfer method that saved them time and money. The conclusion was a suggestion that I up the ante by $5-$10 a month. That's the proverbial "call to action" that we all know and love in fundraising and marketing.
However, they didn't give me a reason to do so. I guess they'd just like some more. Not compelling. In fact, downright "dis-motivating."
