This fundraiser mistakes post was originally published several years ago. I’ve updated it to include some helpful comments from colleagues. I hope you enjoy it!
Dear Fundraiser,
Some things you do really bug me. As your colleague, I’m cheering for your success. So in a helpful spirit, I offer you my list below.
I wish you wouldn’t:
- Send me an automated thank you message for an online gift and assume that’s enough
- Forget to thank me at all
- Send me a buck slip receipt and a generic postcard instead of a real letter
- Phone me when I’ve repeatedly asked not to be called
- Robo-call me – if it’s important enough to interrupt me, it’s important enough for you to call personally
- Forget about me when you write
- Spell my name wrong
- Address me as “Mrs.”
- Squeeze the font size down so small I can’t read it. All so you can fit the letter on one side of the page
- Spend a lot of time talking about yourself
- Hide your contact information on your website
- Make me talk to a call center rep when I have a question for you
- Trade or sell my information without my permission
- Tell me about your budget needs, not the people I can help
- Send me a Twitter auto dm when I follow you, asking me to give or like you on Facebook
- Call me “Ms. Cahalane” if I’m a former employee or volunteer
- Ask me to fill out a form online if I want to email you or someone on your staff
- Send me a nickel, or even a dime
- Use the same generic response envelope for every mailing
- Send me the same package every month
- Send me the same package every week!
- Send me the same package 4 other organizations are using
- Write crappy letters
- Write bloaty email messages
- Refuse to staff adequately to take care of your donors — while you hunt for more.
- Get sloppy with your data. Stay on top of donors who have passed away!
- Neglect to acknowledge my loyal giving and send me acquisition packs
- Treat me like an ATM, not a valued partner
Love,
Your Donor
P.S. I’ll bet you have a list, too. Help us all out – add yours in the comments, please!
Photo by Waranya Mooldee on Unsplash
Throw a pop up on my screen when I move my cursor over to “X” out of the tab saying “don’t miss out”. I’m already subscribed, so I don’t need to be asked again. Love your stuff, but that really is annoying.
Here’s my pet peeve: when I continue to receive NUMEROUS solicitations in the mail after requesting both by phone and by mail to be removed from an org’s mailing list. It can’t be THAT hard, can it?