Comments on: Do you buy things from youth organizations or just donate?

By: mbhunter

mbhunter — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:05:45 +0000

My organizations always had some kind of goal for the fundraising I did — like a trip. I suppose I didn’t think too much about whether I was being exploited or not (I wasn’t getting paid per se).

GRBerry: It depends on what type of organization it is. Donations to civic organizations are not usually tax deductible.

By: GRBerry

GRBerry — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:04:23 +0000

In the U.S., a straight donation is (often? usually?) tax deductible, while a purchase includes goods and services and thus isn’t really deductible. As one who itemizes deductions, a donation results in lower real cost to me and higher real income to the organization. Win-win, for everyone I care about.

By: Firenze Jewels

Firenze Jewels — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:35:44 +0000

What I hate the most is when corporations try to get me as a CONSUMER of their products to donate. If I’m going to give money, I don’t want them to take credit for “collecting” it.

By: TJ

TJ — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:27:50 +0000

Some of you are missing the point. It is not just about the money. You are building more than money for the organization. You are building these kids self esteem. You think putting a check in thier hands gets them excited? No.. It is about getting the sales, which does lead to making money for the organization, but also aids these kids to teach them about responsibility. Also I can tell you first hand, if you send these kids out just asking for a handout, they do not make as much money for the organization. It is easier for people to say no when it is just a handout. My wife was the PTA president at my kids school. They did a fund raiser where they just asked each family to donate to the cause. They brought in about $1200. Later that year they sold products for a fund raiser and brought in over $4000 in actual cash to help the school. People are more willing to give money for overpriced junk than to just give. Also again it makes these kids feel they really achieved something to get a prize for thier efforts. And if someone makes a buck in the process, well it is America folks. That is what we do best.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:44:47 +0000

Maybe it’s just me but it seems kind of scummy to make kids into salesmen… I usually don’t buy that stuff. I’d prefer to donate the money to a good cause – and I know local schools are in need, but there are other people in more dire need elsewhere.

By: guinness416

guinness416 — Sun, 04 May 2008 23:20:44 +0000

In most cases I take the chocolate/whatever, because I’m usually dealing with a harassed and slightly desperate looking friend or colleague, who just wants the crap out of their home more than the funds raised. Mostly we’re talking about clubs and groups that I would never give to otherwise, so I don’t offer a cheque, I save that for causes that are meaningful to me.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:16:45 +0000

I prefer to just donate the money. I don’t like getting cornered at work to pay through the nose for things I dont really need: popcorn, candy, wrapping paper, flowers, etc.

I’d rather just hand the person a check and see 100% of the money go to the organization rather than part of it buying a product that is not going to be used. The problem is that most people look confused when I want to take this route. During these fundraisers where products are expected to be sold, there doesn’t seem to be an appropriate avenue to just collect cash also.

By: tracy ho

tracy ho — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:40:20 +0000

For me I will donate & help to spread around my colleague to boost up their confident for fund rising purposes

Tracy ho
wisdomgettingloaded

By: appfunds

appfunds — Sun, 04 May 2008 07:55:29 +0000

It`s much more educational for them to buy evenif it is a really useless thing.

By: Roman

Roman — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:59:43 +0000

I just donate, it makes me feel more confident that the money ends up where it is suppose to. Plus, the organization i donate to spread the money over several other party’s to its like i am donating to several good causes.