There was recently a fundraiser that was dear to the heart of many in my circle.
While discussing the fundraiser, one person we know said he wasn’t going to donate because his wife doesn’t approve of these types of fundraisers.
For the record, I don’t really care what people do and don’t donate money to. I don’t care about people’s finances, I don’t question their charitable outlays. It’s not my business as to the what or how of a person’s finances. To me that is personal, and I certainly don’t want anyone questioning me as to where my money does or doesn’t go.
So I said to the guy- “I totally understand you and your spouse coming to a joint decision on this and totally respect your decision to donate or not to donate.”
Here’s my problem though…
This guy and his wife listed the cause and donation page on their Facebook profile.
While I have no problem with using Facebook for legitimate charities, I’m not sure how I feel about someone who posts a donation page who hasn’t actually donated…
So I guess my question is: Should you highlight a charity on social media that you haven’t personally donated to?
Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50 
While it is disingenuous to list the charity, if it brings visibility to the charity it’s good for the charity. As for the people who are being marginally dishonest, it’s their bad karma.
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I don’t think I could tell someone to donate to something I personally didn’t give money, or volunteer my time
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I couldn’t either, but many people are comfortable pretending to be involved. I worked in nonprofit fundraising at one point. It was an eye-opener.
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The stories you must have hidden in the closet…
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😉
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I view most things online like this as an ask instead of a tell. My response is always my choice.
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Is there a difference between the fundraising event and the charity? For example, I don’t like being asked to donate my change when checking out somewhere (it’s fine if there is a box there, but to ask me directly I don’t like). However, I may still support the charity by some other means. There may be some nuance to this of which you are not aware.
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This was more a one time go fund me type event
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Maybe they changed their minds…? I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.
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Possibly. I hope that’s the case.
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Seems a bit odd, but not surprising. If it helps the fundraiser, I don’t really see a downside.
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True
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I don’t know if there’s a correct way- I don’t necessarily assume that posting a notice about a fundraiser means that person donated themselves. They may just be trying to get the word out. I don’t think much about those specific funding opportunities though as I typically don’t participate. I give in other ways.
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I have my charities and causes…but I don’t think I would advertise something I hadn’t contributed to in some way
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That’s fair and logical I think if you participate in those types of funding.
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I’m sure I have probably shared a donation thing when I didn’t donate to raise awareness for something. Reasons for no donation likely because we have an amount we can donate and our causes to which we donate but I wanted to get word out.
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That makes sense
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Hmm I have no thoughts on this at all. Blank Brain? Surely not but enjoyed the post and comments
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Never a blank brain!!
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I’d call that sleazy.
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I don’t know how I’d feel if a friend posted a charity, I donated, and then find they didn’t…it doesn’t sit right with me
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I totally agree.
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If it was something I believed in but could not afford, I might advertise it but say something like, “Wish I could donate now…” or “sharing for a friend…” That way I could promote it but not claim it.
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That’s smart. It’s open and honest but still telling people about it
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Momma always said that sometimes the best thing to do is just keep your mouth shut. karma will catch up with them some day.
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👍there’s that too!
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I share fundraisers on FB that I personally donate to. I don’t have a problem with people sharing fundraisers and not donating if it helps get the word out. It seems odd to share a fundraiser that they disagree with though.
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They didn’t really disagree…but I didn’t press it because I didn’t want to seem like I was pressuring
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I would have done the same thing.
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Agreed.
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No. I don’t think anyone should take credit for donating to a charity they actually didn’t donate to. I have no problem with people listing worthy charities. That is helpful. But, taking credit where it’s not deserved is what i am uncomfortable with.
A few weeks ago on another social media site I wrote a blog about charities that help save lives. And I proceeded to list quite a few foundations that allow people to select a specific type of cancer and then their donations go directly to patients with that type of cancer who need help paying for new types of life saving treatment. So I listed websites, named various charities i personally knew to be helpful in giving $$$ for medical grants etc. My blog asked folks to donate to the foundation of their choice. I mentioned the one I donated to but also others that heard were excellent.
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To be fair they never said they donated. But I know my assumption is that if someone shares a fundraising post they themselves have donated.
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Ah, well I guess you can’t assume… I probably would have assumed that too.
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I guess your business is your own and the less people know of you and your husband’s finances, the better, usually.
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I don’t like when rich and famous people start a go fund me for charity and say they will match whatever the total is…I think they should instead get the ball rolling with a sizeable donation first.
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Like, we’re giving 500,000, but we will match up to 3 million…
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Yeah no thanks !
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Hmm…
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What an interesting question. Personally I am confused as to why they are sharing about the charity when they don’t donate. How will they answer questions about the charity? I think if you are going to “advertise” something, you should have a personal investment in it of some kind, whether that is monetary or otherwise. Just seems to make sense to me.
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Completely agree. I figured I’d ask the crowd what they felt, or if I was off
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LA, I’d have raised my eyebrows too, as I’ve done the same as Janet in the past and feel that’s the honest way to go. But there’s really ‘nowt so strange as folks’ as the UK saying goes, and your post is a good example of this.
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I just assume if someone posts about something they do it…to disclose if the right way to go I think
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I don’t see a problem with it. If it helps out the charity, I’m okay with it.
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My issue is that I assume if my friends post about something, they’ve vetted it and I can feel confident in putting my money there. So I guess I feel like shame on me for assuming that and not doing my own due dilligence
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I totally get what you’re saying. I don’t think I’ve ever shared a charity that I haven’t donated to.
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isnt that like ordering everything online? just to make yourself look good.
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That’s kind of how I felt
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Seems self serving and ingenious 💕C
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