Charities. Why do they waste their/our money?

[maggi]

Today, through the post, I got two pens and a window sticker for Macmillan Cancer Support, as well as a letter, a leaflet, a direct debit instruction and an envelope. If you've ever known/been someone who needed help with cancer, then you'll appreciate the wonderful work that Macmillan nurses & other Macmillan people do.

 

I'm already a financial supporter of Macmillan Cancer Support by occasional cheques (and by linking to their website from forums). So, my question is - why do they think that a window sticker (etc.) will let me give them access to my bank account by Direct Debit?

 

 

PS: I know this will link in with the St Luke's controversy at some future point, but I thought it merited a separate thread for now.

[metaphoria]

Having been called today by a major charity organisation, I was wondering the same. How much money goes on administration costs and telephone calls?

 

I understand that they need to raise awareness, but...how much moey goes to the cause, and how much goes to funding the cost of asking for money?

[melthebell]

about the pens etc if i remember rightly they include "presents" so people feel guilty and dont throw the envelope straight away but instead donate

[Swan_Vesta]

about the pens etc if i remember rightly they include "presents" so people feel guilty and dont throw the envelope straight away but instead donate

 

I wonder how many like me think "Cool, a free pen!" right before they bin the envelope?

[Salster!]

I wonder how many like me think "Cool, a free pen!" right before they bin the envelope?

 

Er me.

 

'Feel envelope, find pen, bin rest of contents without bothering to read it'

 

I donate to a few charities through choice, not through emotional blackmail.

[melthebell]

I wonder how many like me think "Cool, a free pen!" right before they bin the envelope?

 

i do

 

: evil :

[cressida]

I walked into Oxfam on Wednesday, it was so hot I asked if they had the heating on, she said no but I still wasn't convinced - I did say if they had had it on it would be eroding their profits (oops)