School donations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These development office practices turn people off from donating. We have gotten requests for specific numbers and we always reduce our donation in response. As long as you donate something as a current parent they should leave you alone for the remainder of the year.

Believe it or not, there’s an art and a social science to fundraising. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Many of us still feel crunched in the middle class, and one bad turn of events from being unemployed. But people who are fabulously wealthy and can make big donations know that they are fabulously wealthy, and they actually like being asked.

We are wealthy and we don’t like people claiming our money. It feels like both entitlement and transactional. We are more than just extremely wealthy but have to deal with asks all the time.

Well, maybe you’re not fabulously wealthy. And maybe you’re just not philanthropic, if you’re more annoyed than flattered. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say there are probably causes that you do enjoy giving to. So you’re only annoyed by the causes that you’re not interested in.

Don’t feel insulted. We give generously but the constant ask is really not flattering. It becomes insulting when everyone around you is just trying to milk you. Either you recognize that or not. Some people relish the attention and power that wealth gives them. Others are more grounded and prefer genuine relationships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These development office practices turn people off from donating. We have gotten requests for specific numbers and we always reduce our donation in response. As long as you donate something as a current parent they should leave you alone for the remainder of the year.

Believe it or not, there’s an art and a social science to fundraising. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Many of us still feel crunched in the middle class, and one bad turn of events from being unemployed. But people who are fabulously wealthy and can make big donations know that they are fabulously wealthy, and they actually like being asked.

We are wealthy and we don’t like people claiming our money. It feels like both entitlement and transactional. We are more than just extremely wealthy but have to deal with asks all the time.

Well, maybe you’re not fabulously wealthy. And maybe you’re just not philanthropic, if you’re more annoyed than flattered. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say there are probably causes that you do enjoy giving to. So you’re only annoyed by the causes that you’re not interested in.

Don’t feel insulted. We give generously but the constant ask is really not flattering. It becomes insulting when everyone around you is just trying to milk you. Either you recognize that or not. Some people relish the attention and power that wealth gives them. Others are more grounded and prefer genuine relationships.

Thank you. I’m not insulted and I appreciate the candid conversation. I think you said something very important: relationships. Obviously relationships without philanthropy, but in the context of this conversation, building relationships makes a huge difference in the field of philanthropy.

[Anonymous]

I also dislike it but this is a classic development tool used by anyone who has ever done fundraising. It’s not just your school — this is a very established tactic.

[Anonymous]

Development offices do these things because their profession has determined they think they raise the total. Whatever hurt/bad feelings they are causing for you they believe will be offset by other people giving more.

There’s no fundraising email/approach that doesn’t cause some hurt/bad feelings so they’re just doing a cost benefit analysis. Don’t take it personally. It’s not personal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Development offices do these things because their profession has determined they think they raise the total. Whatever hurt/bad feelings they are causing for you they believe will be offset by other people giving more.

There’s no fundraising email/approach that doesn’t cause some hurt/bad feelings so they’re just doing a cost benefit analysis. Don’t take it personally. It’s not personal.

I agree with this. If someone feels offended can decide to donate less or nothing and do more volunteering as one poster suggested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find more worrisome is the annual list of donors that is published. While recognizing donors is nice, the reverse of shaming families for not donating or not donating enough is bizarre. Welcome to private school.

Totally agree. I guess is the “art” of fundraising.

It’s also the “art” of corruption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find more worrisome is the annual list of donors that is published. While recognizing donors is nice, the reverse of shaming families for not donating or not donating enough is bizarre. Welcome to private school.

Totally agree. I guess is the “art” of fundraising.

It’s also the “art” of corruption.

Why is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find more worrisome is the annual list of donors that is published. While recognizing donors is nice, the reverse of shaming families for not donating or not donating enough is bizarre. Welcome to private school.

Totally agree. I guess is the “art” of fundraising.

It’s also the “art” of corruption.

Is your school corrupt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Development offices do these things because their profession has determined they think they raise the total. Whatever hurt/bad feelings they are causing for you they believe will be offset by other people giving more.

There’s no fundraising email/approach that doesn’t cause some hurt/bad feelings so they’re just doing a cost benefit analysis. Don’t take it personally. It’s not personal.

Agree - it’s not personal. It’s business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find more worrisome is the annual list of donors that is published. While recognizing donors is nice, the reverse of shaming families for not donating or not donating enough is bizarre. Welcome to private school.

Totally agree. I guess is the “art” of fundraising.

It’s also the “art” of corruption.

Is your school corrupt?

No. Sorry you have those feelings about yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find more worrisome is the annual list of donors that is published. While recognizing donors is nice, the reverse of shaming families for not donating or not donating enough is bizarre. Welcome to private school.

Totally agree. I guess is the “art” of fundraising.

It’s also the “art” of corruption.

Is your school corrupt?

Handing out certificates of excellence to students which lower grades and parents who donated thousands. Students with highest grades get nothing. I invite you to infer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find more worrisome is the annual list of donors that is published. While recognizing donors is nice, the reverse of shaming families for not donating or not donating enough is bizarre. Welcome to private school.

Totally agree. I guess is the “art” of fundraising.

It’s also the “art” of corruption.

Is your school corrupt?

Handing out certificates of excellence to students which lower grades and parents who donated thousands. Students with highest grades get nothing. I invite you to infer.

Which school ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find more worrisome is the annual list of donors that is published. While recognizing donors is nice, the reverse of shaming families for not donating or not donating enough is bizarre. Welcome to private school.

Totally agree. I guess is the “art” of fundraising.

It’s also the “art” of corruption.

Is your school corrupt?

Handing out certificates of excellence to students which lower grades and parents who donated thousands. Students with highest grades get nothing. I invite you to infer.

I hate this could even be considered, but maybe that's just not the place for you. (From someone who thinks this entire thread is ridiculous and will not be coerced into donating)

[Anonymous]

I'm not even "wealthy" but now I am older I am getting really annoyed by extra "asks" naming large amounts from places I donate to annually. Worse yet, asking me to leave them money when I die.
Eff off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not even "wealthy" but now I am older I am getting really annoyed by extra "asks" naming large amounts from places I donate to annually. Worse yet, asking me to leave them money when I die.
Eff off.

They might be concerned about your health.