Posted on December 31, 2012
This blog post was inspired by Stuart Katz’s Facebook post this morning.
At the outset, for those that do not know me my name is Daniel Rothner and I run a non-profit agency called Areyvut and I personally sent e-mails requesting year-end financial support. On a professional level, Areyvut needs funds to support our important work in the community and I need to remind supporters and potential donors to redeem their pledges and consider Areyvut for their year-end charitable giving. On a personal level, tonight I along with many of you, will make my final gifts of 2012 and will support a variety of agencies, including some of those I reference below.
I understand that all non-profits need to send e-mails to request support at year-end but this is getting crazy. Unlike Stuart I cannot tell you how many solicitations I have received but I have received a lot. I have gotten from large agencies, small agencies, agencies that address every issue imaginable and several agencies have sent 10 e-mails. My point is not that agencies should not solicit year-end gifts via e-mail. They should but if a prospective donor has not responded to the first seven requests, do you really think there is an upside in sending an eighth, ninth or even a tenth e-mail requesting support? To colleagues in the field, please keep in mind, that even if people do not make a financial contribution there are many other ways they can support your work. By clogging my and their in boxes you are diminishing the possibility of their contributing to support “your” cause. In fairness to these agencies because of the work I do I am on many lists and I can opt out at any time.
While I have your attention:
For those of you looking for something to do tomorrow with your family, we are having a concert and are still selling tickets online and will also be accepting walk ins.
I think it is interesting that many Jews give more of their tzedakah at the end of December as opposed to around Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. I understand the rationale (taxes, the fiscal cliff, etc.) but if we really believe that “tzedakah saves you from death” more of us should be giving a greater % of our charitable dollars around the Yamin Noraim.
