A couple of weeks ago my husband received a Gratitude Report from an organization thanking him for his generous support over the years — he’s been a “Loyal Supporter” since 1999. The only problem is, I’m the one who has been making the contributions.
He thought it was strange and stupid, so I emailed them asking if they were being sexist or if they were trying to get him to donate too — they didn’t reply. Then this morning he received another letter to confirm that he received his Gratitude Report and saying they hoped he would send more money for their worthy cause. So I wrote an email for him to sign and send:
Subject: please take me off your list
Please do not send me any more USPS mail. My wife has been giving [$amount] a year for many years now and you have just sent me a Gratitude Report saying I have been a loyal contributor since 1999 and then a confirmation that you sent it. She wrote to you asking for an explanation but received no response. I do not plan to give to you and at the moment she is ticked off. Why do you think this is a good way to encourage generosity?
(An email response would be fine.)
I enjoyed writing the letter and mostly think the whole thing is funny. The interesting thing is another group I’ve been donating to has done the same thing, but I didn’t bother commenting. I just crossed them off my list — if they ever ask why I’ll tell them. And another group suddenly started getting my name wrong a few years ago. They couldn’t be bothered changing it when I told them, but I still donate, online with my correct name, because I think they’re doing good work.
As usual, we’re all a bunch of nuts and it pays to have a sense of humor.
Oh, I loved your response! Serves them right——the ingrates! It was, actually, quite funny!
I thought the whole thing was funny too, thanks to email. 😀
well I must be tired because it kind of “ticked me off” too! a great letter btw!
it’s just part of the overall lack of consideration or even ability to pay attention these days in almost every organization it seems.
” … They couldn’t be bothered changing it ” Bingo! you hit the nail on the head.
i think i would have to doubt how my donation was actually being spent. 🙂
Thanks to writing the letter I think it’s funny. 🙂
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Good email. I once sent a donation to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (as my sister has MND), but they took a month to acknowledge my donation, as if they didn’t care less if I donated or not. I haven’t sent them a donation since.
Responding to donors is important. There are plenty of good causes who appreciate support.
Good for you! Same thing happened to me years ago. Someone we hired recently is a big donor to the same organization and told them what happened. They still have not said anything to me. In our case it seemed quite intentional as a) we were not married at the time and b) we have different last names. Someone had to do some address or other connection for that thank you to go to him!
Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is they had it right for years, so something has changed. In my case I’m trying another avenue to let them know. (See my answer to Cindi.)
Like Tammy wrote, if they can’t even get something so simple right, how do you know they are using your donation in the most beneficial way?
Truly, no one takes the time anymore to make sure things are done correctly and sadly I think it’s because few really care.
I’d probably send one more email, telling them who I’ve decuded to donate to instead.
I admire the fact that you were able to find the humor.
I let stuff like that get under my skin.
xoxo
It’s a big organization and I found a place where they welcome questions about how we can help. So I wrote
They say they will answer by tomorrow afternoon. I will let you all know. 🙂
I beg to disagree Monk. These are mindless bulk mails sent to addresses on data bases by morons who do not check to see the accuracy of the data.
The letter that you have sent is brilliant and I would be very surprised if they wrote back and apologised. The person who will receive this is most probably some tired volunteer who will quietly slip it into the trash bin.
I don’t expect an answer from that first email, but I found another place to give feedback. See my answer to Cindi above.
it’s a bit like the “bank statement” that keeps coming for the last man here…I finally found out he had left the organisation and new rep., said “our central office has never been asked to change the address” – well the new rep nor the office have had any luck – because the statements keep coming – once I fwd it to their box number – but now I put “return to sender” on them…
my whole name causes problems – both written and spoken; which means that on the phone, I can just hang up! Especially when they ask for Mr…
“Return to sender” sounds like the easiest solution. I’m going to start doing that.