POLL - Questions about Donating to Charities

[darkling_glory]

I am thinking about putting together a team for Farm Sanctuary's annual Walk for Farm Animals: www.walkforfarmanimals.org/

I have some friends that would be interested and I will probably do the walk with or without a team.

The question is about fundraising. There's no limit you have to earn so it's pretty much just a "do what you can" type of event. Plus, you register to walk ($15) so they are making money either way.

Would you be offended to get an e-mail from someone about this -- either from a family member (cousin, niece, etc...) or a friend that you talk to occasionally (say monthly).

I've never fundraised for an event like this and I wouldn't want to make any faux pas about it.

Okay, so I guess my question is "how" would you go about doing the fundraising?

P.S. If any of the Chicago ladies are interested in walking, let me know and I will e-mail you if/when I do create a team.

[OrangePixyStix]

If there is a way to go through the site then I would try to set up a page and do that. Several friends/family of mine do the annual BP MS150 ride and they are able to set up individual pages on that website for contributions that can be made anonymously through Pay-Pal if the donator chooses.

If that's not an option then I would just send a link to the event information page and an email or FB message to those you think would be gracious enough to donate. I wouldn't be offended, especially if it's for a great cause like this.

[sapphire bou]

OPS has great suggestions.

I would not be offended.

[darkling_glory]

Thanks!

Yes, I think you can set up an "official" site through their website. Though I've also been told people have used chip-in for their fundraising. It's probably not as legit looking.

Would you e-mail people individually? Or a group e-mail with BCCs?

Sorry, for so many questions. Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!

[OrangePixyStix]

May 30, 2012 11:10:47 GMT -5 darkling_glory said:

Thanks!

Yes, I think you can set up an "official" site through their website. Though I've also been told people have used chip-in for their fundraising. It's probably not as legit looking.

Would you e-mail people individually? Or a group e-mail with BCCs?

Sorry, for so many questions. Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!

The great things about doing it that way (on the official site) are that not only does it spread the word about the cause but they also take care of confirmation receipts for tax write-offs for those who donate (usually there's an automatic email sent after payment is processed).

I would do a group email and send all one time instead of individual emails. No need to waste time like that if you can do it in one shot.

There is also a website called causes.com that you can use to set up a page if you can't do it directly on the event website. I just donated a small amount through that site for a friend's birthday wish (hers was to the local ASPCA) and it also spit out an automatic email recept to me for easy printing.

[lizardesque]

I would not be offended at all. I have set up fundraising pages for runs I've done and sent out group e-mails and Facebook posts about them with good response.

[alabasterangel]

I wouldn't mind an email. I would not send several though. If people don't contribute the first timeout may have personal issues with the charity or something.

[honeydew1894]

May 30, 2012 18:04:39 GMT -5 alabasterangel said:

I ... may have personal issues with charity or something.

That is how I read this...

[wineenthusiast]

I am never offended when I receive emails from people raising money for charity. Sometimes I donate and sometimes I don't, it usually just depends on my financial status that week but I'd never be offended or upset sometime included me in their list.

I often see my fb friends post links to their fundraising page and I think that's a great way to get the word out without individually emailing people. I have also donated many times to fb friends, even if its only $5-10 I figure if every fb friend did that, it would really add up.

I wish I weren't out of town the weekend of the Chicago walk, I love doing those things and particularly enjoy the Lincoln Park area. I usually just register myself for the set fee bout I think its great you are considering fundraising!!! I'm mostly to lazy to put in the effort.

[alabasterangel]

May 30, 2012 19:29:46 GMT -5 honeydew1894 said:

May 30, 2012 18:04:39 GMT -5 alabasterangel said:

I ... may have personal issues with charity or something.

That is how I read this...

Ha! It was also suppose to be *they might have*.

As in: I don't donate to charities that test on animals (most cancer research) or are anti-gay (Salvation Army).

[darkling_glory]

Thanks so much, everyone!

Wineenthusiast, if your plans fall through for any reason you are more than welcome to join in! The more the merrier.

I'm sad because my BFF didn't sound as excited about this as I thought she would. But I'm going to e-mail the folks who I think would want to be on a team and then go from there.