Charity Donations

[TEAK36]

I was not sure where to post this question.

My question is about donations to charity, and do you think I am being a tightwad.

I am your typical Mr average, I work very hard, I have a wife and 2 children, a mortgage, and I am very happy with my life.We do not have a great deal of money, but I always put a couple of pound in the charity tin at the local supermarket each weekend, and we have a charity dress down day at work each month.I would estimate that I donate about �10 -�15 per month to charity, but it is now getting to the point where you cant turn a corner in the town centre without someone shaking a money tin under your nose, or someone with a clipboard wanting you to sign up for a direct debit for some charity.These people have now taken to knocking on doors, and only last week someone knocked on my door asking for me to donate by direct debit.When I explained that I already donate to charity, this girl gave me a filthy look and said to me, 'cant you even sign up for a fiver'.I told her no, but I felt really guilty say no.Although the amount I donate might not be a great deal of money, I feel it is all I can afford at the moment, and I feel really angry that these people make me feel guilty every time I say no.I see the adverts, I watch the TV, I know that there are millions of people much worse off than me, and in serious need of help, but I think it is really unfair that I should be made to feel guilty for what I have worked extremely hard for.
Am I being a tightwad?

[RATTER15]

No you are not being tight!! like you, I earn my money and I will decide how to spend it without a guilt trip!! I'm fed up with putting money in these charity boxes knowing that I am lining the pockets of these charity directors. It is such a small % that actually gets through to these organisations, most of it is swallowed up with red tape and fat cats.

Maybe I'm tighter than you TEAK36 (I can live with it)

[naz_nomad]

I only donate to the RSPB ... humans can get lost ...

[Loosehead]

No you are not being a tightwad. You can get compassion overload, in my view you are giving too much anyway. Virtually none of the money reaches the target anyway. Want a shock? look at the accounts of the RNLI/Sally army / any majot charity. Ask yourself why the administration eats up so much. Total rip off. I would be more generous if I could give directly to the intended target.

[RATTER15]

I'm going to start up a save the rat charity!! All donations welcome, prefer Direct Debit, cash is readily accepted as well.

[Miss-taken]

No you are not being a tightwad - you donate far more than I do! Take the RNLI for example - apparently they could keep on running for at least 5 years without receiving any donations what so ever - thats how much money they have! On a separate note - why is there a need for the RNLI - why don't they just charge boats etc a kind of levy (sort of like AA membership but compulsory) which would pay for rescues??? I'm always wondering this!
Anyway, the RNLI was just an example (I'm not particularly against them I promise) there are lots of other charities out there in the same kinnd of position. A lot of the big charities spend more on admin (fat cat wages etc) than good causes.
I actually work for a charity (an arts one - so not a proper one in my view anyway) so I'd like to think I know vaguely what I'm going on about!
I say give whatever you want and make sure you don't feel pressured into it - its your money for you to do whatever you choose with. Maybe pick a charity close to your heart and just donate to that one (don't forget to gift aid it - it adds another 22% onto your donation)

I look at it like this - there are always going to be people worse off than me but if I give away loads of my heard-earned money - I will join those people!

[scuzzball]

Don't worry about the attitude of these people who try to get you to sign up for direct debit. Most of them are on a commission, thats why they push it so hard.

[mattie]

I don't think that you are a tightwad,nor should you feel guilty. I object to having a collection tin etc shoved under my nose. I would rather choose a charity to donate to.

In fact I am a FONWAA, (Friend of NorthWest Air Ambulance) so at least I can see where my money is going.

[Catso]

Not at all. I feel just as you do. I donate a bit, to a charity of my choice, and I hate these 'emotional blackmailers' with their aggressive tactics with a passion.

If there was a charity to get rid of them, I'd donate.

[Ethel]

I make regular donations to my chosen charities by direct debit. That gives the charities more money because they can claim the tax back.

I refuse to give any tin rattler or door knocker.

I don't feel guilty!
And nor should you or anybody else.

[JamesEverton]

If you do wish to donate to a charity then avoid the 'chuggers'. They are a relatively expensive means for a charity to gain subscribers. The charities deem it worthwhile because direct debits provide a comparatively reliable long-term income. I have heard estimates that suggest that the first year of payments by a donor who has signed up in this manner are used to cover the chuggers' fees. I can't confirm whether this is true or what proportion of the fundraisers are paid on comission.

There is a code of conduct which, although voluntary, most charities have signed up to. Details are at: http://www.pfra.org.uk/cofc.htm?menuSet=down&s ectionSet=charities

I refuse to subsidise this method of fund raising and think twice about contributing, through any means, to charities who utilise it. If you do speak to a chugger who has been hired by a charity that you want to donate to, it seems to be better to organise the direct debit yourself online. I haven't any experience of people knocking on my door but this seems to be a particularly insidious method of garnering funds.

People do feel pressurised by this sort of in-your-face tactic and many people will sign up regardless of their ability to pay. (I don't want to generalise, but perhaps some elderly people may be more vulnerable to this approach).

Giving to charity is a matter of private conscience.

[TEAK36]

Thank you all very much for your answers.

I feel much happier now, and I can feel the guilt subsiding.

[saxy_jag]

I'll join in too, even though everything I would have said has already been said above. You donate to the charities of your choice, so no, you are not a tightwad.

What annoyed me a few years ago was when a seventeen year old I was in town with was approached and asked to sign up for a disabled children's charity (one that I'd never heard of). The girl (ie the one I was with) had cerebral palsy to a fairly obvious degree. I'm still trying to work out whether the charity worker was sick or just stupid.

[stevie21]

If you donate anything at all to charity then that's excellent. Even for anyone out there who donates a little but could afford more - every single penny is welcome so well done.

As mentioned, it's your money, you've earned it and it's 100% down to you to spend it as you see fit. Anything that goes to charity is a bonus. I'm in a similar position : I've got a direct debit and give regular small amounts to a small group of charities so I wouldn't ever dream of handing money to someone at my door, someone selling badges in a pub or someone with a bib on the street.

[sense4all]

Money is a long time in the getting and a short time in the going, as my dear old dad'd say. I feel that I will give what I want, when I want. That is my personal choice, right wing Mr Sense has always been surprised that as a "bleeding heart liberal sort" I have the approach I do to charities. I research which ones give the most to the cause, not to costly admin staff who couldn't actually give a rats ass about the charity the work for : as long as their wages are getting covered!
I have had a horrible woman try to embarrass/shame me in the street for a "contribution" to a childrens charity and she was so rude ( anyone who lives here can afford it! etc etc ) I went back to the car ( I have a people carrier) and got all the kids out and asked her if these children were enough of a contribution for her - or would she like me to source some more! The shopkeeper said she behaved considerably better to all the other residents that day. Feel free not to be guilted into giving - make an informed choice.

I do give by direct debits annually to mostly Kids charities in a tax efficient manner. We have a limit for spending through the year except in exceptional circs. Sons teacher spends her vacation ( every summer ) at a school in Africa, we give her supplies to take for kids. Last year a friend wanted to build a well in the villlage where she supports a family, money taken by her to village where she watched the worked be done, happy to help her.

Well done for supporting any charity - you should feel great, not guilty.

[musicmummy]

I am in the same poition as yourself, but stand by a firm rule. if they shake the can or stand in your path while collecting, they dont get.

[hugnie21]

I give to charity but not to door knockers or people hassling me in the street. If I get cornered by someone in the street I just ask what the charity is then say "Oh I already give �10 a month to them, thanks anyway!" Not much they can say to that.