Should charities give away freebies to try and persuade people to give money to their causes?

Question

I ask as today I received a letter from the British Red Cross asking for money for their various Christmas appeals. I do not mind being asked and will probably give, but in the envelope came two blank Christmas cards, a pen. two cup coasters, a book mark and an offer saying if I give £5 I will receive a free shopping bag or note books.
Should charities be spending their money giving away these freebies in order to raise more money?

Answer 1

Doesn't inspire TRUST!

A bit like being mugged or accosted by charities in the street!

Freebies smack of "bribery".

They need donations to do good. Yet are willing to waste scarce resources to "induce". If the stuff is given to them free still a waste!

No such thing as a free lunch!



Red cross income £ 261.8m. Chief executive paid £170,000.

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/income-british-red-cross-reached-all-time-high-2618m-last-year/finance/article/1345240



Aware? US Redcross raised for Haiti $500 million but only built 6 houses!

https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-red-cross-raised-half-a-billion-dollars-for-haiti-and-built-6-homes

http://www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief

Answer 2

I actually hate charities since I've been depressed broke homeless out of work and hungry yet I ask for help and I'm a deadbeat but not the guy being paid £12 an hour to rattle a change box. Now I'm not hungry and I've got a place to stay for now and I wouldn't help them no matter what. Nobody helped me when I was down so why should I help them? That being said I will give money to the homeless but not a charity.

Answer 3

Most charities have a budget that we term promotional items, which is just what it says,

to promote the work of the charity

Yes what you received does sound excessive, when 2 cards would be plenty.

The free items to follow as promoting the charity too, presuming you use them

I know what you mean when you feel all their money should be helping the people who the Red Cross help.

but they are not the only ones who do this

Recently I got a page of address labels, free with a letter from a Breast Cancer charity along with a book of raffle tickets to sell. I'm not connected to the charity and never signed up to anything, but still the unwanted mail comes.

Answer 4

The last year Labour was in and there had been a large amount of military casualities mostly from Afghanistan I sent a specially large cheque to the Royal British Legion. In the years since although this government has now brought the troops home I have been targeted by all kinds of charities asking for money. I have had to send them all back.They have included all kinds of free gifts. They do pass your details onto others. Perhaps it may be best if they didnt give away things.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-34657975

Answer 5

No it's a form of emotional blackmail. I received very similar to you plus a keyring from Battersea Dogs Home. I phoned and complained because elderly vulnerable people would feel obliged to give. I think this sort of thing should be reported to the Committee stamping down on charities.

Don't forget charities are big business and they cream off most of the money.

Answer 6

The freebies are designed at unification, helping people to identify with the cause better by having a reminder in the home, just like a sport fan or theater fan does.

Answer 7

We support BIG ISSUE which is the magazine far

better than any UK tabloid to read the money goes

straight there and then 50% (+ a tip) to the homeless

vendor the other 50% to Big Issue Foundation which is

linked to Shelter Red Cross Amnesty International and

many more worthwhile charities including Greenpeace !



We are now looking for a van to loan and shift a whole loft

space of good clothing and all sorts of other useful items to

either distribute or sell on a stall in November for the Syrian

refugees and other homeless people because my partner has

sold (at long last) her apartment and I have moved from the big

communal house I lived in for 5 years and our place in Malta is

quite small so we need to donate all this stuff somewhere soon.



At present we are staying in a serviced apartment (short term) so

what was in our lofts is in rented container storage space nearby

this has become quite a task we keep having to extend our stay so

the kind gentleman who owns these apartments *reduced* our rent.

-------------^Arab^-------------



Cannot think why anyone would not want to support the BIG ISSUE

it can make the difference between a person in a doorway or a bed

you get to know or can sponsor regular vendors and get a good read.



BIG ISSUE

[] Australia []



In *Australia* the public focus on the magazine and the work behind it

whereas of course in typical UK the public focus on the sellers instead

with fixed prejudices in their tabloid heads that they may be immigrants

so ok then walk on by and all you are doing is forcing them onto benefits.



Suggestion.

[] from Ana []



Round up your neighbours and friends and make up little gifts with those

freebies items and sell them on a 50p stall at a church hall or somewhere

or run a fundraising lucky dip raffle with tickets for £1 and donate the money

if you raise £100 that becomes £128 with the tax contribution from GIFT AID.

Answer 8

Most freebies are donated and other are bought, because a charity needs to be remembered and works like a brand.

Answer 9

It doesnot matter, it depends on people's willingness and perception. If people actually see you doing good then no matter you persuade them one way or other they will lend their hand. The only thing you need to make people is to make them aware of the situation and what you are doing about the same and ACTUALLY DOING IT!

Answer 10

No, they should'nt,and if a charity sends these things to me i assume that they have money to waste and they do not need mine.

Answer 11

Y should they need to. People who believe in the cause should give money.

Answer 12

They should send it all to all the elected MP's and publish the results

Answer 13

Those freebees,are usually donated to the cause,for that purpose.

Answer 14

in some cases, i would say yes

Answer 15

No