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Helpful Hints for Dealing with Charitable Solicitors

Raising money for charitable organizations is a necessary function of most such organizations and the job often falls to volunteers. There are as many ways to raise money as there are organizations. Fundraisers may be in the form of $100 plate dinners with silent auctions, or they may involve selling raffle tickets. Sometimes, those raising money for charity simply ask for donations.

It can be uncomfortable when we're caught off guard by someone asking us to donate money to charity. Perhaps we can't afford to donate just then or maybe we have never heard of the particular charity for which the person is soliciting. If we don't already have a clearly defined manner of charitable giving when approached, it can be a daunting experience. Some people won't even look at the Salvation Army volunteers who spend hours out in the cold ringing a bell during the holidays because they feel guilty for not putting any money in the bucket. Others feel bothered to the point that some retail stores and businesses no longer allow the charity to solicit donations outside their doors.

First of all, there's no reason to feel guilty. Those that have felt truly bothered by the bell-ringing volunteers might be a little hypersensitive as these volunteers don't approach customers and verbally ask anyone to give; they simply smile, ring a bell, and say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. If you've already determined the charities that will benefit from your generosity and this particular charity isn't one of them, you can still smile as you enter or exit the store.

When you are approached by solicitors trying to raise funds for charity, there are various ways you can handle it. If you haven't yet determined who will be the benefactor of your charitable giving for the present or coming year, you can ask for literature so that you may look the material over and make an informed decision. Even if you already have your present funds earmarked for a particular charity or charities, it won't hurt to be polite and accept a brochure.

If you're contacted by telephone by someone soliciting funds for charity, it's imperative that you ask them to send information in writing about the charity. This one action will often separate the legitimate fundraisers from the scam artists. While legitimate charities do sometimes use the telephone for fundraising purposes, they certainly won't mind sending information in writing and they will welcome any questions you may have, as opposed to someone who is just trying to scam you out of your money.

Sometimes scam artists purport to be collecting money from a charity by using a name that sounds very much like the name of a well-known charity. Don't fall prey to this scam. By always asking for information in writing, you should be able to tell the difference between the legitimate charity and one that doesn't even exist. Another tell-tale sign that a charity isn't real: when the solicitor pressures you to donate right now, or today only. Rest assured that any legitimate charity will be glad to accept your donation at any time.

Sometimes gung-ho fundraisers do use certain techniques to solicit donations that can leave us feeling pressured or awkward. You might be told something like, "Our gold-level members have all given $100." or "everyone else in your group has given $50." Don't compromise your budget because you feel pressured to give more than you can afford. After all, it isn't your ego at stake here; it's the welfare of someone who needs all the help they can get. Still, you'll do no one any favors if you contribute money to charity that your family needs to survive or if you end up reneging on your pledge altogether because you simply can't afford it.

Simply put, budget the amount you are able to give and stick to your guns.