Asking me for money

[BryPGuy89]

Several catholic organizations and religious orders send me regular mail requesting for small helpful donations. I would like to send something in response usually, but cant as Im a minor and my mother had forbade me from giving money to charity as “I need that money right now, not them” she says. I feel real bad when I get a real sad letter or a small gift in a request for a donation and cant send them anything. Alright now my question, do I have an obligation to let them know I’m a minor or should I not worry about it as when I turn 18 in some months I can then give and will have a bunch of organizations in which I can give read to go in my bookcase?

 

[dulcissima]

Several catholic organizations and religious orders send me regular mail requesting for small helpful donations. I would like to send something in response usually, but cant as Im a minor and my mother had forbade me from giving money to charity as “I need that money right now, not them” she says. I feel real bad when I get a real sad letter or a small gift in a request for a donation and cant send them anything. Alright now my question, do I have an obligation to let them know I’m a minor or should I not worry about it as when I turn 18 in some months I can then give and will have a bunch of organizations in which I can give read to go in my bookcase?

My guess is that administratively they would have no way of handling such a request. I would suggest that instead you spend the months until you are able to contribute your own money investigating which charities you truly want to give to, rather than sending money to any charity or supposed charity that solicits donations.

 

[Liberian]

BryPGuy,

I would be EXTREMELY careful about these “religious organizations” that ask you regularly for money. Many of them are legitimate, but many of them are shams. Also, many legitimate ones hire professional fundraisers who know how to manipulate your emotions and make you feel guilty for not donating–as you have said you do. The fundraisers take about 60-80 percent of the donations and the rest goes to the supposed cause you are supporting. You have no obligation at all towards them.

• Liberian

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Organizations are managed and you will have to learn to manager your financial affairs also. Blind contribution often hurt legitimate charities because blind contributions attract scams, and mal-contempts. To improve the society it is often better to restrict your contributions to a few select well managed charities as the church, and 1-3 other organizations (Red Cross, schools, etc.). For example many beggars are receiving subsistence from your tax dollar and simply begging to increase income. This is a big problem when the beggar could work but chooses not to, or when the beggar uses the money for nonsubsistence, this is more common than you think. Many beggars are feeding cigarette, alcohol, drug, or gambling habits. A couple of years ago a news story broke in which one of the High rollers in Shreveport Casino’s was a Dallas beggar. Certainly not all charities are frauds nor are all beggars addicts but in the greater good it is often helpful to forward charity donations through major charity organizations as those mentioned.

Also you should know some other problems as 1) When you reply with a blind donation your name is added to a target list and SOLD to others. So the more you give the more you will be asked to give. 2) As a managed business any reply promotes more activity, thus the effective management of these activities is to not reply at all. 3) When you select organizations to give to anonyms is the best method- any bank or check printer will provide you blank “temporary checks” which can be used. If you mail cash be sure to wrap it in a piece of paper to obscure it in the envelope

 

[puzzleannie]

Several catholic organizations and religious orders send me regular mail requesting for small helpful donations. I would like to send something in response usually, but cant as Im a minor and my mother had forbade me from giving money to charity as “I need that money right now, not them” she says. I feel real bad when I get a real sad letter or a small gift?

there is no need at all to respond to direct mail or phone requests for donations from anybody (or in person requests for that matter). When you have income of your own, including allowance, you should give a portion, no matter how small, to your local church and to the poor in some way, perhaps to Catholic Charities or St. Vincent de Paul appeal at your church. Be aware that much of what comes in the mail is put out by professional fund-raisers who keep most of the money that is raised, and vey little goes to help people in need. Unless you are assured the money will be put to good use, do not respond. If they send little trinkets through the mail like medals, greeting cards etc. you are entitled to keep them or throw them away as you wish.

because probably I am on so many mailing lists I toss ALL such letters without opening (unless it seems to contain some trinket or cards I can use for CCD). We tithe and have always done so to our parish, diocese, and worldwide Catholic missionary and relief organizations. When I get phone calls from anyone I say: we do all our giving through our church. goodbye. click.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

There are a bazillion charitable organizations (most of them legit) out there with their hands out. You can’t give to all of them. You may freely chuck those requests into the garbage with no response without feeling an ounce of guilt. My suggestion is to think globally and act locally. Put money in you parish poor box or something similar. You mom said don’t send money. Ok, donate time and talent.

 

[Dale_M]

do I have an obligation to let them know I’m a minor or should I not worry about it as when I turn 18 in some months I can then give

I think Dulcissima’s advice is very good. Most organizations don’t track the age of their donors so they would have no way of remembering whether you are a minor or not.

Your love of neighbor is a good thing. Truly, we are called to love our neighbor as ourself. But you need to make sure your needs are attended to as well, or else you might not be able to continue to donate in the future. The number of people in need, and the depth of their needs, is truly staggering. You could donate all of your income to the poor, living in poverty yourself, and still your contribution would be just a drop in a vast ocean.

Dulcissima recommended that you spend the next few months investigating the charities to find the ones which are most meaningful to you. This is a wise idea. You have to pick what is most important and which will do the most with the money you give. One place to start is Charity Navigator.

Scott’s suggestion to get directly involved, donating your time and talent is also a good one. I found this to be more meaningful to me than donating money, but also found, after I married, that I no longer had the free time to donate. So this might be a good time in your life to consider getting directly involved.

 

[BryPGuy89]

Well thank you for the concern, but my mother has already told me how there are dangers of giving to charities and that I need to check up on organizations before I decide to give. The organization in particular are the fransicans, the boys and girls town, CRS, and Missionary Oblates basically. They are all legitimate and well know charities. I guess I just think that the resources they waste sending me these letters could/should be used for others until I can make contributions. I give money to my parish and any charity that I trust and can give to at least like when it comes to the salvation army santa clause, because I cant give to charities in any other way then cash.

 

[LindaS]

Be careful about the Salvation Army. It is a Protestant church, and the clergy are the officers. I know they do a lot of good, but so does Catholic Charities.

Peace,
Linda

 

[Kevin42]

Well until you are allowed to give money, I’m sure fervent prayer would be just as favorable (if not moreso) in the eyes of God. Pray for the causes that concern you. Also, remember that money doesn’t always solve everything anyways. Perhaps if you are looking to be charitable, you could find something local, such as a parish trip to the foodbank, or visiting a nursing home. Don’t forget there are plenty of people that live around you that could use your help just as much as a charity could use your money.

 

[wcknight]

Some professional fund raising organizations are making much more than a reasonable percentage. A recent news story revealed that one such organization was only giving 10% or LESS to the charity that they were claiming to collect for. I think there was one collection company who was giving less than 1% of what they collected.

When the news folks asked the receiving charity, why they would let the other company use it’s name, they simply said 10% or 5% was better than nothing.

I try to give to charities who have low administrative or lower advertising cost. The American Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services are pretty decent. There are web sites that have such information. Pick one or just a few and stick to those, or just give to your parish collections.