Learn About Charities

Have you noticed that the number of letters of appeal from charitable organizations has increased? Most people take these letters and throw them away, “Oh, this is from another charity.” It is very hard to ask someone for a donation. It is difficult to formulate your thoughts, look directly into someone’s eyes and actually say, “Would you make a donation to this special school?” People are generally intimidated by the whole process. In fact, there are consulting firms that work specifically on developing programs and protocols for charitable organizations so that funds can be raised for programs and services. The reality, however, is that successful fundraising involves interpersonal contacts and connections between people who know, like and respect one another. The interpersonal relationship between two individuals creates the framework for building a connection to a specific charitable organization which is then followed up by THE question.

By Dr. Ellenmorris Tiegerman, Founder and Executive Director of the School for Language and Communication Development (SLCD) in Glen Cove and Professor Emeritus at the Derner Institute for Advanced Psychology Studies at Adelphi University. She can be reached at 516-609-2000 and www.slcd.org.

During this time of year and particularly during difficult economic periods, charities do direct mailings, fundraising events, and sometimes they “take to the streets to sell raffles or candy bars.” I recommend that you open these appeal letters even if you decide not to make a donation. Every charity utilizes resources to write about their mission, programs and services for children and adults who need help. Many people say, why should I write a donation to a drug treatment program when there isn’t anyone in my family who has a drug problem? Why should I support a special education school when I don’t know anyone who has autism? The fact that you don’t know someone with a specific disability should not be the basis for your decision, and that’s why I am suggesting that at the very least, you read the appeal letters. It is amazing to me that there are so many wonderful charities in our local communities. Why not do a search on Google to see how many charities there are in your neighborhood? Where did these organizations come from? Who started them? Why do people volunteer their time in these organizations?

Many charities were started by families of individuals who were affected by a specific disorder or disease. Other charities were started by people who are driven by a specific social cause or mission. Whatever the reason, these are extraordinary people who devoted their lives to the needs of others. There must be a “missionary” inside each Founder or Director because the survival of any charitable organization is fraught with overwhelming obstacles and barriers. Charities are by nature dependent on the financial generosity and contributions of others. There are few charities, usually national organizations like the American Cancer Society that have substantial resources. Local charities are small and their survival is tenuous at best. The success of any charitable institution relates specifically to the staff who commit their lives to the organization. Many times, Founders and Directors sacrifice their personal relationships because the needs of the charity are all consuming. In another time and place, these individuals could have developed highly successful businesses, but they have chosen to work for charitable organizations.

So, the next time you receive an appeal letter from a charity, do not throw it away. Read it and think about the people who started the organization as well as those who are served by the organization. The people who work for charitable institutions give their lives and often their resources to not-for-profits. They deserve from all of us recognition for their unfailing commitment to social causes. Some people will acknowledge that they do not want to do “charity” work because it’s not profitable. Someone has to do it, otherwise the homeless do not get fed and many children do not receive special services. Without these charitable organizations and institutions, I shutter to think what many families would do. Charitable work should not be someone else’s job, responsibility or commitment. Charities provide a social safety net for society’s poorest and most fragile individuals and a moral responsibility for everyone else. Read the appeal letter and think about getting involved.