If they don't provide information in writing - don't give

The phone solicitation

I received a phone solicitation today from an organization informing me that they will be in my neighborhood next week collecting used clothes and household goods for their organization. I'm always wary of phone solicitations because often when you give to them a percentage of what you give goes to the company contracted to do the phone solicitations. If you like the organization it's always best to go directly to their website to give so that your entire donation goes to that organization.

"We don't give out written information"

I never give unless I have the information I need to make an informed decision. So I asked them for printed material on their program. They informed me that they don't provide written material and emphasized that they where Friends of MS (I may have remembered this incorrectly as it was said quickly) and not Big Brother, Big Sister. I have no idea what that was in reference to as I'd never assumed they were Big Brother, Big Sister 

I told them it didn't matter which organization they were with, I don't give unless I have written information on the program. "We don't provide written information", it was hard to believe that an agency could have the audacity to ask for money but not provide any proof that they were worth donating to. I reiterated that I wouldn't give without it. They then asked if I wanted to be taken off of their call list and hung up. 

Your decisions matter, don't get pressured into giving quickly

Never give without written information so that you have the time and ability to make an informed decision. If the organization does not provide you with the information you need, then they most likely are not providing quality programs anyway.

Comments

[Saundra]

Andrew,

Thanks for catching the typo. Cheers

[Andrew]

There's a small typo here: "I don't give UNLESS UNTIL I have written information on the program." Otherwise, I agree. There is no reason for giving to an organization that cannot defend its merits, especially when there are so many organizations out there that actually can.