OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 09:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?



I pick out a few worthy causes and donate what I can...the rest go
directly into the recycle bin.

FWIW: I have also received a few Go Fund Me's for medical help from a
few folks I know to be staunch Republicans. Even though they have
effectively slit their own throats, I still sent a few $$$.
They really did need help.

I have never got such a request from "one of the damn libs."

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 9:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about
the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I
have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates
in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out
duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as
well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted
with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and
myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks
do?

I, personally, ignore all mail (and phone) solicitations automagically
irregardless of the source; I have personal selection of those which I
do support. Nothing difficult about it...

There are an untold number of worthwhile organizations along with any
number that are simply scams by another name. Find what you're
interested in(*), support it/them and go on with living.

(*) I'd make a suggestion to look local first, however..."charity
begins at home".

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 10:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about
the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I
have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates
in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out
duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as
well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted
with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and
myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks
do?


Most charities include a self addressed pre-paid postage envelope. If
it's a charity we know we'll never support financially, we write a short
note asking them remove us from their mailing list to save them the
expense of wasted mailings and save a few trees in the process. We mail
it back in their envelope. We've had good luck with that strategy.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

In article ,
says...

I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted
with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?

I toss all requests in the trash. I have been known to that if some
come with envelops with retrun postage on them to put some of the other
requwsts in them and mail them back.

Being retired seems to attract the bulk mailing.

I do donate to some of the local things like Resque squand and fire
departments.

I just refuse to donate to any organization that the leaders are getting
way over $ 100,000 a year. Not sure what the Clinton Foundation is, but
when they can afford to pay their daughter $ 900,000 to start, they do
not need my donation.
Many of the charitias are just a way to keep the money. The leaders
take out big money for theirselves and just send out a small amount.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

Per :
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?

*Only* 40 for two weeks?...... -)

With us it's probably in the hundreds.

Long time ago, I decided on the "Pick a few good ones.... " path and
donated to Amnesty International.

It then became obvious that they were selling my name/address to mailing
list vendors and I felt betrayed - like a piece of meat somebody hung
out for the wolves.

And don't get me started on the telephone solicitors.....

I have somebody in the house who is a extremely-good, decent,
big-hearted person but in declining health and who keeps responding to
these things.... and the volume seems to grow daily.

We get the full-color pics of tortured animals on the envelopes, the
glass-window envelopes with the dollar bill or fifty-cent piece inside,
the fake gifts for GIs... you name it, we get it.

I try to pull that stuff before it gets to the kitchen table, but am not
always successful, so the trend continues and the volume grows. Last
time I asked the mailman, he said we got the most mail by far of anybody
on his route.

My theory is that there are list vendors out there whose databases get
updated with the types of mailings people respond to and, over time,
users of the databases become able to select people depending on which
button pushes work on which people.

Respond to the dirtbags behind "Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes"
(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/opinion/08fri1.html) who sent that
dollar bill... and you'll get more mailings where money is part of the
come-on.

Respond to the color pic of the mutilated animal... and you'll get more
full-color gore.

I don't *know* this.... but, coming from a computer application/database
background, it seems like an inevitable progression: a profit-making
niche that *will* be filled.

As of now I, personally, don't give to *anybody* who solicits by mail.
If I wanted to feel better about myself, I'd find out where the homeless
people hang and hand out cash... but not a dime to anybody who knows my
name and address.
--
Pete Cresswell

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

Per Peter:
Most charities include a self addressed pre-paid postage envelope. If
it's a charity we know we'll never support financially, we write a short
note asking them remove us from their mailing list to save them the
expense of wasted mailings and save a few trees in the process. We mail
it back in their envelope. We've had good luck with that strategy.

I'm going to start doing that - seems like it *has* to work because very
reply via pre-paid envelope costs them money.
--
Pete Cresswell

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October,
just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support.
There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates.
I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I
are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself
of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?



I pick out a few worthy causes and donate what I can...the rest go
directly into the recycle bin.



Same here. I don't know of a Canadian version of Charity Navigator
- so when I am researching a new cause, I will go to the Revenue
Canada web site and look for the charity's salary and admin costs
and try to determine if it's worth a donation ..
Also - I now avoid the big charity lottery games - the $ 100.
ticket ones - far too much goes to overpaid lottery people -
rather than the actual charity.
John T.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 10:28 AM, wrote:

I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October,
just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support.
There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates.
I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I
are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself
of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?



I pick out a few worthy causes and donate what I can...the rest go
directly into the recycle bin.



Same here. I don't know of a Canadian version of Charity Navigator
- so when I am researching a new cause, I will go to the Revenue
Canada web site and look for the charity's salary and admin costs
and try to determine if it's worth a donation ..
Also - I now avoid the big charity lottery games - the $ 100.
ticket ones - far too much goes to overpaid lottery people -
rather than the actual charity.
John T.



It is easy to Google to see if a charity is legit

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 09:37 AM, philo wrote:

[snip]

I pick out a few worthy causes and donate what I can...the rest go
directly into the recycle bin.

We have curbside recycling here, and sometimes the pickup will be in the
afternoon. When mail comes first, I get to transfer most of the mail
directly from one receptacle (mailbox) to another (recycling container).

I choose which ones to donate to. It's like the others thing it's their
money, and they can just make a withdrawal at any time. Some even send a
little money or a stamp.

BTW, I now have 29 "free" 2017 calendars. I guess the excess is going to
be recycled too.

--
33 days until the winter celebration (Sunday December 25, 2016 12:00:00
AM for 1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"It's not your fault that you're always wrong" -- Marilyn Manson

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 09:38 AM, dpb wrote:

[snip]

I, personally, ignore all mail (and phone) solicitations automagically
irregardless of the source; I have personal selection of those which I
do support. Nothing difficult about it...

There are an untold number of worthwhile organizations along with any
number that are simply scams by another name. Find what you're
interested in(*), support it/them and go on with living.

(*) I'd make a suggestion to look local first, however..."charity
begins at home".

Basically, what I do. I DO NOT donate by phone, and don't even answer
calls from known charities. There is one that repeatedly bothers me. At
least they are honest with the caller ID and I can block the calls.

As to local, one that I like is one that gives school supplies to poor
children every August. I also donate food.

--
33 days until the winter celebration (Sunday December 25, 2016 12:00:00
AM for 1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"It's not your fault that you're always wrong" -- Marilyn Manson

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October,
just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support.
There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates.
I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I
are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself
of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?


I pick out a few worthy causes and donate what I can...the rest go
directly into the recycle bin.


Same here. I don't know of a Canadian version of Charity Navigator
- so when I am researching a new cause, I will go to the Revenue
Canada web site and look for the charity's salary and admin costs
and try to determine if it's worth a donation ..
Also - I now avoid the big charity lottery games - the $ 100.
ticket ones - far too much goes to overpaid lottery people -
rather than the actual charity.
John T.


It is easy to Google to see if a charity is legit


Legit isn't the problem - wasteful is -
Google doesn't tell me how many staff are making more than
$ 250 grand a year ... nice work if you can get it ..
or if they spend 20 % on "admin" that's a lot of paper clips !
John T.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 9:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?


We usually had specific ones we gave to, but can't always afford to give.

--
Maggie

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

We have about a half-dozen that we have checked out fairly thoroughly and feel comfortable donation to, and about the same number of local groups that we are familiar with. What amazes me is the number of duplicates, or with barely or slightly different names but the same address. It is hard to image that someone who compiles computer lists isn't savvy enough to weed out obvious duplicates.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 10:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?


Give to one charity and often your name gets passed on to other
charities. Anything in the mail gets tossed in the trash.

I give to one reputable charity once or twice a year. I also give
support to an individual that is unable to work. I knew him before he
was disabled and I know his problem is legit so I don't mind helping out
with a few thing like internet and food for his dog.

I can afford to give what I can but if you are tight with pension and
savings, your comfort should not be put at risk.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 10:24 AM, wrote:




I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?



Print and send some of these:



https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2109/2...21c867df13.jpg

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 12:32 PM, wrote:
....

Legit isn't the problem - wasteful is -
Google doesn't tell me how many staff are making more than
$ 250 grand a year ... nice work if you can get it ..
or if they spend 20 % on "admin" that's a lot of paper clips !

The IRS Form 990s are on file and publicly available that has the
financials for all 501(c)3 that has the details of their financials
including salaries, etc., ...

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

Ralph Mowery posted for all of us...



I do donate to some of the local things like Resque squand and fire
departments.



Thank you Ralph, the money is put to good use.

--
Tekkie

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 2:10 PM, wrote:
We have about a half-dozen that we have checked out fairly thoroughly and feel comfortable donation to, and about the same number of local groups that we are familiar with. What amazes me is the number of duplicates, or with barely or slightly different names but the same address. It is hard to image that someone who compiles computer lists isn't savvy enough to weed out obvious duplicates.


They don't want to weed out the duplicates. They are intentional to
sound like the legitimate charity. If the legit charity is The Ingrown
Toenail Association (ITA) and they get a lot of support, someone will
come up with Ingrown Toenail of America to get your donation and pocket
most of it. (ITofA)

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 12:32 PM, wrote:



It is easy to Google to see if a charity is legit


Legit isn't the problem - wasteful is -
Google doesn't tell me how many staff are making more than
$ 250 grand a year ... nice work if you can get it ..
or if they spend 20 % on "admin" that's a lot of paper clips !
John T.




Correct, I do not give to the ones wit high overhead.

My cousin runs one that I know is good, it helps bring sanitation to
Haiti it's called Youth Haiti

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 9:56:13 AM UTC-6, Peter wrote:

Most charities include a self addressed pre-paid postage envelope. If
it's a charity we know we'll never support financially, we write a short
note asking them remove us from their mailing list to save them the
expense of wasted mailings and save a few trees in the process. We mail
it back in their envelope. We've had good luck with that strategy.


That also works for credit card offers, magazines, insurance
sales, just about anything that will generate money for the
sender. If you check your banks' privacy notification you are
given the option to opt out of them sharing (polite way of saying
selling) your name and address with anyone. Banks are the worst
offenders for sharing your name and address with anyone who will
cross their palm with a bit of cash.

The few charity mailings I get include an envelope but it's
not a postage paid type.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 10:18:04 AM UTC-6, (PeteCresswell) wrote:

Per Peter:
Most charities include a self addressed pre-paid postage envelope. If
it's a charity we know we'll never support financially, we write a short
note asking them remove us from their mailing list to save them the
expense of wasted mailings and save a few trees in the process. We mail
it back in their envelope. We've had good luck with that strategy.

I'm going to start doing that - seems like it *has* to work because very
reply via pre-paid envelope costs them money.
--
Pete Cresswell


It *will* work. Just be sure to ask them to "Remove my name AND
address from their mailing list." Be sure to ask that b-o-t-h
be removed as I did it in the past without emphasizing AND so
the squirrels just removed my name the next time I got a mailing.
I quickly corrected that oversite and have not failed since to
ask for name AND address to be removed.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/16 7:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October,
just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests
for support.
There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to
sort out
and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening
tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally
acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve
my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings.

What do other folks do?



first check to see if Uncle Charity Monster is one of those requests

second, report him for spamming you

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 09:17 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per Peter:
Most charities include a self addressed pre-paid postage envelope. If
it's a charity we know we'll never support financially, we write a short
note asking them remove us from their mailing list to save them the
expense of wasted mailings and save a few trees in the process. We mail
it back in their envelope. We've had good luck with that strategy.

I'm going to start doing that - seems like it *has* to work because very
reply via pre-paid envelope costs them money.


It hasn't worked for me. One organization that I do support has me on
their mailing list twice. I put a PostIt note on my checks telling them
to drop one or the other but it never happens. Maybe an empty envelope
with the note will have more success.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 08:30 PM, rbowman wrote:

[snip]

It hasn't worked for me. One organization that I do support has me on
their mailing list twice. I put a PostIt note on my checks telling them
to drop one or the other but it never happens. Maybe an empty envelope
with the note will have more success.

After my father died I got his junk mail. Most senders gave up after a
couple of years, except it was a couple of decades for some (mostly
political organizations). Notifying them made no difference. Even after
I moved, the junk kept coming.

--
32 days until the winter celebration (Sunday December 25, 2016 12:00:00
AM for 1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"He's the type of guy that has to talk to God because nobody else will
listen to him." [Atheist comedian Rick Reynolds]

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 9:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?


With sites like gofundme it really has gotten crazy but I've seen it do
a lot of good. So go figure.

https://www.gofundme.com/30aezxs

Thank you for your donation.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

Per Mark Lloyd:
Basically, what I do. I DO NOT donate by phone, and don't even answer
calls from known charities.

I still have trouble with the idea that some people talk to strangers
making unsolicited phone calls... period....

Every so often the news does a bit on some scam or another and a local
citizen that got taken. Somewhere along the line they say some
mealy-mouthed BS like "You really should check with the Better Business
Bureau before you send money to a stranger who calls you on the phone."

That always makes me a little crazy - as in wanting to throw something
at the TV screen....

Heaven forbid they should say "You talk to strangers on the phone????
What, are you stupid????"
--
Pete Cresswell

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

Per Mark Lloyd:
Basically, what I do. I DO NOT donate by phone, and don't even answer
calls from known charities.

I still have trouble with the idea that some people talk to strangers
making unsolicited phone calls... period....

....
Heaven forbid they should say "You talk to strangers on the phone????
What, are you stupid????"
....

Actually, there is one phone solicitation I do respond to--the annual
student telethon from my uni engineering college from which graduated.
I do enjoy talking with current student if only for a brief time and do
request a pledge card each year to which respond as see fit depending on
the year and all...

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/23/2016 03:35 PM, dpb wrote:
Actually, there is one phone solicitation I do respond to--the annual
student telethon from my uni engineering college from which graduated. I
do enjoy talking with current student if only for a brief time and do
request a pledge card each year to which respond as see fit depending on
the year and all...

The president of my alma mater is the highest paid president of a
private college in the US. They don't need my money.

http://time.com/money/4001985/highes...ege-president/

When I was there it was in the top three along with MIT and CalTech. Now
it's 147th.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

On 11/22/2016 10:24 AM, wrote:
I have saved all charitable requests received in the mail since about the middle of October, just for curiosity. As of this morning, I have more than 40 requests for support. There may be some duplicates in the pile, I didn't make any effort to sort out and throw out duplicates. I use Charity Navigator as my primary screening tool, as well as those local charities my wife and I are personally acquainted with. It still is a huge amount of effort to relieve my wife and myself of our hard-earned pension and savings. What do other folks do?


I'm sure many are worthy, however when you are on a pension (if you are
lucky to have one) you need to support yourself first, otherwise you
become part of the problem.

OT - Charitable Requests Overwhelming
 

Per dpb:
Actually, there is one phone solicitation I do respond to--the annual
student telethon from my uni engineering college from which graduated.
I do enjoy talking with....

Some standup comic or another said something like this:

"I *never* hang up on telephone solicitors. Instead I talk to them.

I tell them that my wife left me, I'm out of work, the house is about
to be foreclosed, the dog died, my son is in jail for drugs, my
12-year-old daughter is pregnant, I keep getting letters from the
IRS..... and *they* hang up on *me*."

--
Pete Cresswell