Wanted: Your Opinion on Why Donors Quit Giving
Not long ago I sent an ezine out to my fundraising followers giving some reasons why donors quit giving, and of course, why they should avoid making those mistakes.
Among other things, I mentioned failure to send a thank you note – because that’s the #1 reason why donors become soured on an organization.
But I left something out. I got an email a couple of days later from Valerie Schaeffer, who told why she quit giving to a certain organization.
Here’s what Valerie had to say:
Here is something I just encountered.
As a new non-profit writer, I enjoy looking over the mailings I receive from different non-profits.
One group was for a national veteran’s organization. I believe it to be reputable; from what I saw, it looks like it does good work on behalf of American veterans.
As a “gift,” they sent a “Proud to be an American” t-shirt. The label said “Made in Mexico.”
Now, I have no problem wearing clothes from China or Mexico, or anywhere for that matter. That is a reality of today’s market. However, I was really turned off as a potential donor. For me, it’s akin to the Humane Society sending me a fur-covered key chain. It doesn’t seem to align with the organization’s message.
It’s a shame, because this group does seem like a great organization. But, as a donor, I just don’t feel right about giving them money.
What do you think?
So that is my question: What DO you think? Would you quit giving to this group? Why or why not?
And what about other reasons? Why do you quit giving to a group that you once thought was worth your donation?
Click on “comments” and let us know your thoughts…
Posted: May 12th, 2009 under fundraising, fundraising copywriter.
Tags: donations, donor gifts, fund raising, reasons to quit donating, why donors leave
Comment from krissy knox
Time May 13, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I quit giving when a group doesn’t acknowledge my gift, but merely asks for more money, perhaps doubling the amount they ask for each time — say every three months. I’ve known groups to do this, and they are so impersonal, just begging for money. They are like a machine — they have their set way of doing things — a system — and they ask for money, doubling the amount they ask for each time, w/o so much of an acknowledgement that you sent anything. I know these organizations exist, bc I went to work for one once. Of course I promptly quit, when I learned of their fundraising methods.
Another thing that causes me to quit giving is when a group uses guilt to get you to send. Or obligation. I have had organizations send me items w a fundraising letter, w/o me asking for said items, then so much as said they expected me to send a “donation” for the item(s) they sent me for which I didn’t order nor want! They tried to use obligation and guilty to get me to send them money. I found that tasteless, classless, and trickery! And bad for their charity. Who wants to give to a charity that is tasteless, classless, and uses trickery to get funds?
I want to say that I have ceased to give to charities that have provided no emotional appeals, personal stories, or human interest stories. But then I wouldn’t say that, bc I wouldn’t have given to them in the first place! I’m not saying if we are going to give, we have to have a warm and fuzzy story to be able to do so, but I am saying we need to have a face, a story, and a triumph to go with what we are spending our money on. After all, it IS hard earned money!
krissy knox
http://twitter.com/iamkrissy