Today I received a call from a gentleman who wanted to know how much money another animal charity gave to us from the money he sent to them each year. He stated that he sent money to an animal welfare organization based in New York, and that he received appeal letters from them every year, and he sent money to them thinking that these funds would be given to animal charities in Wisconsin, specifically to Elmbrook Humane Society. He also said that they mailed him return address labels and he felt he needed to pay for them by sending money to this charity.
Many of us receive lots of mail from charities all over the state, and even the country. I seem to get a lot from animal welfare organizations, which I presume is in response to getting on mailing lists from products I buy or places I sign up to go to with my dogs, and through my professional affiliations. I also see a lot of television commercials on at night with sweet little animal faces, and sick puppies for national animal charities. The sad music plays and there are slow motion shots of sick, injured or sullen dogs and it is hard for you not to run over to your check book or grab your credit card and call the number on the screen.
I want to set the record straight for all local animal charities and rescues. We do NOT get any funds from any national, regional, or state animal welfare organizations. If you send money to a charity based in New York, that money will go to further the mission of that group in New York, and while it may help animals, it will not change the life of one animal in Wisconsin. Also, if you send money to a state animal welfare organization, it does not get distributed to the other smaller organizations in that state. Make sure you donate DIRECTLY to the animal welfare organization of your choosing. If you want to help local animals, donate directly to a shelter or rescue near you!
Now, this is just my own personal opinion, but I feel that if a charity can send you something in the mail like labels, or magnets, or other goodies in a solicitation letter they might not need the money as badly as another charity who cannot afford to send an expensive mailing like that. Trust me, just mailing a plain old bulk letter these days is pretty pricey. If there is an additional goody in there - that is the Cadillac of solicitation letters.
I am a big fan of the old slogan - "Think Globally, Act Locally". I try to shop at local businesses instead of big chains. I try to support local school and youth organizations and local civic charities. Since there are so many ways that charities can reach out to people now (internet, television, direct mail, phone solicitation), make sure you know who you are donating to, and exactly where and how the money will be used.
Because of the current economic climate, there will be pleas from many organizations this year so you should be extra vigilant to make sure your donation dollar will do the most good!
