Are charities becoming more pushy to make people donate to charity?

...but, I would say more "aggressive" than "pushy".

I have given to charitable organizations over the years. I have received and continue to receive numerous solicitations--from institutions I have supported, currently support, or have never heard of. I perceive these solicitations have increased in frequency over the past couple months. There is always a seasonal spike in charitable giving, thanks to Christmas coming at the end of the year and thanks to IRS tax laws. But, the aggressiveness of some charities this year is greater than in the past. Of course, this is a subjective reading. I haven’t been counting the number of mailings, email messages, and telephone calls I receive by charity. And, the organizations have always been polite and respectful, never "pushy" in the negative sense of that word.

Why is this happening? Many people generously give as much as they can afford to give. But, in extremely difficult times like these, when millions are unemployed and families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table for their children, not for profit charities are extremely vulnerable. If they do nothing, they will see huge drops in charitable giving, potentially threatening the quality of their programs and even the viability of their organizations. So, the smart organizations ramp up their solicitations and started doing so earlier than usual.

I don’t see a strong media connection to these recent observations. The media hasn’t much of a role in my charitable giving. I guess the media can choose to increase public awareness of horrible conflicts around the world--Darfur, other African genocides, the aftermath of Katrina, etc.--and that might spur more people to contribute to organizations providing relief to the millions of victims affected. But, I consider that a very good thing. Unfortunately, the media likes bad news, breaking news. They get bored with a situation quickly, though, and move on to the next crisis. Meanwhile, there are still Katrina victims who are suffering unbeknownst to the rest of us.

As the world becomes a smaller place with technology advances, we become more aware of the well being of all our neighbors around the world. It is up to us to decide whether we choose to try to help our neighbors.

So, decide what you can afford to give, select the charities that are aligned with your views, and then be sure to make your contributions this year. These organizations are in tremendously great need of support. The weakest and most helpless in our world can only depend on the good will of these organizations. They have been written off by so many powerful governmental and business institutions. If you want your dollars to be maximized, pay close attention to the efficiency ratios of these charities. Some like the International Rescue Committee and Americares have had very efficient operations for years, using almost all of your contribution for programs (as opposed to for overhead expenses).

I hope this helps.

Not usually. I actually feel they've eased off with television and media advertising.

However, the individual collectors that go around asking you to sign up are definitely more pushy. I'm talking about the ones on the street that will accost you and try to sell you into signing up so they just leave you alone.

There's also a guy that I used to see at uni asking for donations from students just sitting around at lunch. If you don't give, he just looks at you so sad, so all the first years fall for it. By third year, everyone is just sick of him. Surely he'd do more good working a full time job and donating a portion of his salary to the charity if he values it so much.

Intui', glad to answer your questions.

#1. "Pushy" is a relative term, but I do believe charities are becoming a bit more aggressive in their fund raising. For example, I seem to be getting a lot more requests in the mail right now, and I saw the Salvation Army bell ringer in the mall on November 8 - the earliest in my memory.

#2. As far as media responsibility, I believe it is well-reported that in these trying economic times, agencies that depend on the kindness of others have to be creative and try harder; and if one of these agencies can get some air/print time for their cause, so much the better.

#3. I give to specific charitable groups, give to a random one from time to time, and pass others by. I do feel guilty - not on the mailed ones - but when I pass the bell ringer or a table in front of the Wal-mart trying to raise money. I can't help everyone.

I think charities have every right to pressure people into donating.

People are so ignorant to issues going on right under their noses and if it wasnt for the media people would not even bother to donate. I think everyone should be donatig as much as they possibly can.

,I USED TO BE HEAVILY INVOLVED in raising funds for charity, in that i was in the R.A.O.B.

royal antediluvian order of buffaloes for Meany years. so when asked on the street for cash i would say i give annually which was true weather thy believed me or not !

now regards to your question it might seem that way, ( as it often do to me ) and the reason being i think is the ever increasing number of charity shops opening up on our high street"s, and of coarse

street collections

Where theres a need,one should assis in which everway one can help the poor the needy .Yes you do get the ones that are faking poverty.The gap between the rich and poor is a very large gap.Working for a NGO,Founding is a mojor problem.