What does loyalty look like?

Recently I wanted to read about continued efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina, I opened a popular search engine and typed in "Hurricane Katrina Charities." I was surprised when 1,160,000 matches were returned! This led me to wonder how to choose which nonprofit organization to support out of the 1,160,000 matches that were found. Personnally, I have donated to the same charity for many years because of a personal experience with an illness that has affected a loved one . Does everyone choose who to support this way? Do you choose a cause based on personal experience, a political belief, or a moving television commercial or is it because it was the first appeal you received in the mail?

I wonder how many first time supporters to a Hurricane Katrina charity continue to donate to that charity. I know that we have spoken about loyalty on this blog, so what does loyalty to a charity look like?

Posted on January 24, 2007 22:15

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Comments:

Julie at Thu Jan 25 19:43:24 -0600 2007

When chose which cause to support I did based on my passion (for animals). I researched a well known charitable organization and phoned in to be put on monthly donations. I have supported this same charity for over 4 years. I like this particular charity because they are personable when I call. I recently moved and didn't call to give them my new address until several months later. A few weeks after that I received a card in the mail with my membership card that said it was returned from my previous address so they reforwarded to my new address, that small gesture made me feel special. I received a letter in the mail asking for a donation for a special effort so I went online to email a question and it took over 5 days to get a response, this prompted me to worry. I received this letter saying they urgently needed my support yet my email went unanswered for 5 day!? The following week I heard an advertisement on the radio encouraging listeners to support their cause and was suprised to hear they ONLY gave their website address, no phone number. This caused further concern. I was thinking someone is going to go to their site, email a question or request further information and not receive a prompt response and possibly choose to support another charity that helps that same cause. To make matters even worse the commercial played during rush hour traffic, what are the chances listeners will remember to call when they are near a computer or if they would even remember the website address. Wouldn't it have been logical to announce a phone number so people could call right then from their cell phones? If charities want people to support thier organization they need to make the process simple (multiple ways to get in touch without waiting) and the experience should be personable. What does everyone else out there think?

Latisha at Fri Jan 26 09:23:38 -0600 2007

I feel the same way. I am always receiving appeals in the mail, it seems like I get one every day! I am starting to feel that my donations aren't appreciated since no matter how often I donate they send me requests for more like what I gave isn't enough. When I tried to contact this charity it was hard to find a number and get a hold of anyone. For this reason I have recently decided to support another charity. With the new charity I can tailor how many mailings I receive each year and what type of mailings. There are many different ways I can contact them and when using email to contact them I receive a response the same day! I was so impressed with their service that I have become a montly donor and the amount I donate is higher. I wish the other charity would have made the effort so I could continue to support them I am in my late 20's and do not see any reason why I wouldn't continue donating to my current charity since they are able cater to my busy lifestyle. Do other generations feel this same way or is this specific to those of us in our 20's?

John K at Thu Feb 15 21:38:55 -0600 2007

My wife and I have a rule; no giving at the door or when organizations call. We glady gave to a Katrina cause after the storm hit but other than the tax receipt we never heard from the organization again. Although we do have the couple of organizations we have be loyal to for many years, they keep in constant contact. Suprisingly they call just to say "thanks" and nothing else. This reminds us that our donations DO count. Although we don't need the "thanks" it still feels nice to know we do make a difference and how that makes us feel enourages further donations.

Perhaps during Katrina there were just too many donors to keep up with. If that organization needed our help if another natural disaster needed we would donate to that organization again.

at Fri Mar 02 15:16:39 -0600 2007

so many complaints about appeals, unfortunently one of the companys I take calls for results in many customers complaining about the amount of appeals.. -_-; do i sense irony?