It's the first day after the holiday weekend. There are turkey sandwiches on the middle shelf in your fridge. (Or leftover vegan stuffing with cranberries. Depends on the fridge.) You're just getting back to school/home/the office. Many of you, even as of this morning's coffee, still have one foot in a Thanksgiving Day carbohydrate-coma.
With that in mind, we're starting the week off gently: with a question.
Thanksgiving Day kicks the "giving season" into high gear as the winter holidays plow toward January 1. It's a shift that raises many questions in the charity world, all involving the word "give." What charities will you give to? How much will you give? Can you even give this year?
Add our question to the list, with a spin: What keeps you from giving?
What are the circumstances that have kept you from giving to charity in the past? What obstacles could keep you from giving this year? What kind of charities do you give your money/time to and which ones do you avoid? Why?
We're asking genuinely and need candid answers. You can post in the comments section of this blog or Tweet at us at @Modestneeds.com throughout the holiday season. We'll be featuring some answers on the Modest Needs Blog and on the Modest Needs Foundation Facebook page--responders looking to remain anonymous can send an email to Kimberly.Kaye@ModestNeeds.org; all personal informaton will be withheld.
Your answers will not only be appreciated, but also help shape our relationship with donors and applicants in the future, so please--be honest.
We hope your Thanksgivings were as delicious and stress-free as any holiday can be.
Cheers.
I don't know if the question for me personally is "What keeps me from giving?" as much as "What prompts me to give?" I give to different charities at different times ... but why? which ones? How do I choose? I guess it's the ones that "speak" to me at the time. The ones, that I feel a pull to give to at the time. I always give to my church and to organizations that I believe that the money goes to where it says it's going to.
Posted by: Susan W. | November 28, 2011 at 02:09 PM
On Boxing Day, I usually give $50 to Engineers/Doctors Without Borders, but this year I think I'm going to give to Journalists Without Borders. Other than that, my giving is spread out across the year, and it tends to be whatever strikes my fancy: NARAL, Kiva, the AIDS ride in San Francisco, the current weather related disaster, animal shelters, wildlife conservation, underprivileged schools--it really depends.
Two things keep me from giving. One is being broke. The other is those organizations that use chuggers--charity muggers. I don't like being accosted when I walk out my door to do errands. I won't support Planned Parenthood, the ACLU or some other organizations because their chuggers have compromised my quality of life. Likewise, excessive calls for cash turn me off.
One note about your work: I find your website incomprehensible. Although I'd like to give money, I'd like it to be easier. If navigating a website to donate takes too long, I just close the browser window.
Posted by: chelsea g. summers | November 28, 2011 at 02:10 PM
I personally have my favorite charities that I'm loyal to already, with a yearly schedule set for when and how much I donate. It takes something really big for me to stray from my budget when it comes to charities, mostly because my budget is so tight already. Examples include earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes...
What I find really works is when a charity strives to have a guilt-free relationship with me. I'm more likely to shell out a few bucks if I'm gently reminded about past donations, thanked, and shown how my donations helped. Or even if I didn't donate, I still appreciate it when an organization gives examples of how small donations collectively help, by pointing out that when money is given by groups of people over time, it's still useful.
Overly aggressive begging keeps me from donating. So does asking for too much at one time.
Posted by: Della M. | November 29, 2011 at 05:16 PM
What keeps me from giving is my budget foremost. In the past I was able to donate freely to charities of my choice. But when I was struck with a serious illness, I sustained a substantial wage loss when i lost my job because of it. In gaining employment again, I had to take a severe wage decrease that I still struggle with to stay on my feet to this day. This ecomony right now does not help matters.
Secondly I despise anyone soliciting to me by phone, mail or in person for donations. I prefer to be the one to decide without anyone soliciting me for it. I believe that giving to a charity is a persons freedom of choice regardless of the amount they are able to give.
Posted by: Linda K | November 30, 2011 at 01:32 PM