Yesterday I heard a report on the radio that made me frustrated and angry.
The reporter had recently completed an in-depth survey of all the emergency response agencies to the crisis in Japan. What was their conclusion? If you really want to help, send cash!
Is this rocket science? Did we really in need a study to tell us this?
Maybe we did.
For some reason people want to send supplies more than money. This is so strange to me, because in my mind, it should be obvious that these agencies need cash, not cans of soup. Think of the cost and logistics of sending a can of soup, or even a blanket to Japan.
Trust the Nonprofits and Just Send Cash
As nonprofits, we often spend too much time trying to figure out how to please the donor — so much so that it comes at too high of a cost to us. Why make the Red Cross struggle at a time like this by making them come up with creative, cost effective ways to ship supplies to Japan? I’m thrilled that the message is finally out — JUST SEND CASH and trust them to determine the best way to help. It is their business, after all.
Unfortunately, it probably does come down to trust. Americans often don’t trust charities to do the right thing with their hard-earned donations, so they want to give “things” instead. Unfortunately, these things are not always necessary and the cost of transporting them can be prohibitively high.
I hear this story all too often — a donor wants to give something (even money) for something specific that the nonprofit doesn’t need or want. The nonprofit struggles to find a way to accept the gift, rather than explaining to the donor why something else would be more helpful. After all, the donor should want to see the organization be successful and fulfill its mission.
The Moral for Nonprofits
The moral for you as a nonprofit is simple: don’t be afraid to tell your donors what you really need and why. Hopefully they’ll understand. But if not, at least you won’t be stuck with cans of soup.
How about you?
What’s your experience with accepting things rather than money? Have you ever had to turn something away because your organization couldn’t use it? Leave a comment and tell me about your frustrations.
Excellent points! It does no good to have things you can’t even use or that won’t promote your mission.
I couldn’t agree more Amy! Having worked with the Red Cross for a number of years, I know that people have the best of intentions when it comes to donating to these disasters but giving “stuff” is just not practical. The cost of transporting all the collected stuff to the disaster site would not only be outrageous but poor stewardship of donated funds, which is why we would always request gifts of cash.
Yes! Let’s start a movement of nonprofit professionals who ask for what they need, not only what the donor wants to give. There must be a middle ground between being donor centric and doing what’s best for the organization. They certainly aren’t mutually exclusive, but also should be much closer together more of the time.
Thanks Amy for your straightforward assessment. Too often we in the nonprofit world are too afraid of offending.
We certainly walk a fine line sometimes with donors, don’t we? Most will be forgiving if we offend and apologize honestly and openly.
Not only should we give cash, but if you heard the reports today, Japan isn’t asking for contributions, yet. We should give what is needed when and where it is needed. I think it is up to us as fund raisers to ask for what we want and to make our case as clear and compelling as possible. And it’s up to us as donors to pay attention to who is asking and to make sure our money is going where it is needed.
Last week we received a very generous gift from a first-time donor who restricted the donation to providing van transport for family members to visit their loved ones who are in our residential program. This is, quite simply, not part of our mission. We would have had to use scarce staff resources to set up a new mini-program or return the check. This donor’s intentions were impeccable and he responded immediately to our explanation of the many other, more urgent needs for which we could use his gift. We were fortunate and grateful.
Exactly! How generous are you when you only want to give what YOU want to give – not what’s needed? Thanks, Amy!
Amy, I have stories of organizations not turning away donated items and then being “stuck” with them. Last year I worked an auction where the same piece of art has been for sale three times in a silent auction! No one would buy it for the mandated price. The print has become a ball-and-chain donation. The event manager is now the responsible agent for the item, moving it from storage to venue each year, and taking responsibility for protecting it from damage. The audience has seen that same print for three years in a row. Can we say, “BORRRRing!”