How do you handle donation requests?

[Former_Member]

I was wondering how other folks handle donation request convos? I got one this week from a woman putting together a care Package for her friend's daughter with terminal cancer. She asked me to donate one of my heating pads. I wrote her back and said ok if she would cover the shipping. She said no problem and wanted to make sure she was going to get the one she sent me the link for because that was the one she really liked. I wrote back and told her no that she would receive the design that I have reserved for donations but offered her a 10% off coupon if she would like to purchase the design she liked. Haven't heard anything back. I am starting to think this person is just a spammer looking for free stuff. Beggars can't be choosers right?

What do you think? How do you handle donation requests?

[Former_Member]

I actually had a very similar situation and wasn't sure how to handle it so I haven't responded back yet.
I think your response was very generous and professional. :)

[Former_Member]

Through Etsy I've had requests for donations for silent auction events. I've donated yearly to one local organization only, through Etsy. ( I've donated to other causes at local events) I've also been sent a form for taxes for my donation and a picture of my item at the auction on the table.
For donations I have never had a request for a specific item. I think your response was fine and you do have to choose because there are many legit good causes and reasons to donate, and of course you can't donate to all of them.

[88editions]

come to think on it

I forgot to track my donations and have no easy record

I just trusted

still want to just trust but come tax time I want records

don't know if this helps
not much experience

[Juanitas]

That was a great response!

I've heard others say that they set a yearly/quarterly budget or quota for donations, and when they reach their limit, they just tell the person to try again next year/quarter

[Former_Member]

Thanks for your responses. I really like the quarterly quota idea and I have not been keeping good track of donations either so thanks for that idea too.

I don't want to stop donating because there are a lot of good causes, and this is actually the first time I've been left feeling somewhat scammed.

[michemozaix]

I think what you did was genius. I try to do my share of charitable donations but choose to approach the charity rather than have them approach me.

I like your idea of having certain pieces designated for contributing. A good idea to do ahead of time with the holiday season coming up!

[IndigoPaisleyDesigns]

I donated a piece(Artwork) to an organization that supports
and provides shelter to abused children in Portland, Or. This person and organization seemed legitimate(I spoke to her on the phone). She had convoed me and requested a piece to be auctioned off. So I created and sent it off(at my expense). After that I sent her a bunch of convos to see how the auctione went etc. no reply, not even a word of thanks! Now I am very wary of people and organizations asking for donation.
Lesson learned!!
Devika

[WizardAtWork]

Like others have said, I've received many requests for donations, but usually it's along the lines of, "We'd love if you could send something - anything - for..." Occasionally they may be specific in terms of what's useful ("Would you be willing to donate a ferret item to our ferret shelter's fundraiser?" kinds of thing), but again, they're willing to take any item they can use. I've not had someone insist on a given item. That seems a little shady to me.

I also make sure that I can see the cause represented somewhere online. The ferret shelter sent me a link to their website, others have sent me blogs to check out... something that shows that there's a least a shred of legitimacy going on.

What you've got there? Sounds a little ... off to me. And it annoys the crap out of me, personally, when people would capitalize on people's compassion for sick kids. Argh.

[Former_Member]

Everyone has been giving you such good advice!

My tip is to google the name of the person or the organization that has contacted you. Usually when it's completely legitimate they use their full names, position held at the organization, phone number, and the name and location of the place, etc. If it's real they usually provide you with a ton of info to make you feel safe
So if they ARE real you should be able to find several web pages with their name and info since places like that usually reach out to the media a lot.

Granted this is helpful if it's an organization and not so helpful when it's someone using a "personal" story to tug at our heart strings and scam us into donating.

[Former_Member]

I agree with the others, very proffesional responce.
As for myself I've never gotten such requests on etsy. Though if I did I would probably turn them down. Because I donate to other organizations offline ;).

[Former_Member]

How do you know it's not a scam?

Sorry I have lived in or near NYC for 24 years and I have become less trusting.

[ClayLickCreekPottery]

I have a form letter that states "that due to the large amounts of requests I receive for donations, I only donate to my locale charities". I then suggest a member of their organization to use a coupon for 20% to purchase a small item for their silent auction. Most the time I never hear from them again. Occasionally, I get a reply back thanking me for taking the time to reply. and then sometimes, right off the bat, a person offers to buy something for their auction because they do understand they cannot get anything and everything for free. I just prefer to do my donations face to face with organizations I know.

[StrongylosPhoto]

I think your reply was excellent!
We've only had one request so far. It seemed legit, student in vet program at NC State. She sent links to the sea turtle program and said they were doing a fund raiser, and could we donate an animal photo? She didn't get picky and ask for a specific one...I think if she would have I would have been suspicious. We sent her a matted print with our info on the back, thinking if it is a legit fundraiser, it's an inexpensive way to get more exposure to our etsy shop. Would have liked to get a thank you for the donation after she received it in the mail...but, so far...nope.

[hooknsaw]

I donate quite a few items throughout the year locally. Some items are for prizes at fundraising events and some items are for auction. It has brought in a lot of local sales for me.

The requests I have had on-line I'm more cautious about. I have chosen two to donate to, after researching their websites and corresponding with the person in charge of the event. If it is not a group I would normally support I reply with a letter stating I am unable to donate at this time.

[artpassionsdesign]

What I do is be honest about not being able to support every organization, otherwise, I'd be needing the help of lots of the social organizations dealing with poverty that approach me for support! I allocate a certain amount of money and in-kind services to specific non-profits each year. This way, I don't feel bad about saying no because I know that I do what I can.

One other thing, I don't EVER give over the phone. No matter who they say they are. I don't participate in anything that I do not know someone I can rely on to tell me the organization is real and honest. I'm still learning and figuring it out. The honest organizations are overshadowed by so many more criminals and the state of the economy makes it even more scarey out there.

Lastly, follow your gut feelings. You have them for a reason.

[Former_Member]

sounds like a scam to me

[Former_Member]

Once again thank you all for so much great advice. You all are helping me formulate a donation policy, which I hadn't really thought about in any organized sort of way before. So thanks for all the great advice

[Former_Member]

I'm going to remember the advice above. I was burned recently on this but don't see how I could have handled it differently. I was approached off Etsy by a friend and couldn't well turn it down. From now on, I get to pick the items being donated and I will only create a custom order if the beads for it are purchased in advance. Not only did I lose the potential sale but my materials, labor and time to make other things I could sell. In terms of actual cost to me it's more than my grocery budget this week.

Oh well, there's a sucker born every minute and that was my birthday.

--Carol

[Former_Member]

Why is it that people assume that small handcraft businesses are in any position to donate anything? Even if it isn't a scam, I feel somewhat offended by an inquiry. Just because I'm not the super business savvy CEO of a major corporation, you feel like you have a shot with me? I simply tell them that I do not budget for donations.

[Former_Member]

Me too. I do not do online charities.
I do participate locally and will do a craft fair if I'm needed at the local schools fire department or library. I donate to Chinese actions to raise money for our town.
Online for me is too vague and risky.

[LittleShopofElleSee]

I think your reply was excellent. I wonder if she's just cheesed because you're not willing to donate the item that she really wanted. If she's not going to reply, that's not your fault :)

[artbylisi]

I've been burned on scams too often from people asking for free stuff that I just ignore requests like that unless I know the seller/organization.

[JaneStaufferPaperCo]

Most people have their favorite charity...So we can do our part there.

We get many emails from dif countries about someone who is dying of cancer and they need us to help them...bogus, of course.

A donation in the child's name to the cancer society might be the answer if you can the child's name.

Sadly....when the need is real...it is hard to tell nowadays.

[Former_Member]

Just a quick update - I just went back to try to look at the convo from person who contacted me for the donation and lo and behold turns out they cancelled their account! Looks like it was a scam after all. Off to figure out and write up an official donation policy...