Charity Canvassers - what's their fee?

[Mazzini]

Just wondering, get phoned often by canvassers'on behalf' of charities I pay monthly by d.debit, asking me to increase my donation. They don't actually work for the said charity but seem to be an agency. They say they receive a small fee for getting you to increase your donation but does anyone know how much that 'small fee' is and would I be better just sending the money straight to my charities and bypassing these people? They are always very pleasant but I wish to support the charity rather than the voice on the phone!

[pega]

I heard on the radio about how much actually goes to charities and what is paid in wages and other things, also The Times have had letter about getting free gifts umbella's etc and feel its wasting money donated. What you say seems a bit of a scam and if charities can afford to employ and give fees to agencies are they worth donating to, write to the charity and ask about these phone calls, as they must be taken out of donations. I would like to know just where a monthly donation was going. am glad all letters I get go into file 13 am ripped off enough by taxes etc .

[Buenchico]

Arrangements vary depending upon which charity and / or agency is involved. I don't know any exact figures but (based upon reading the 'serious' newspapers and listening to Radio 4) it seems that the people who stop you in the street (or phone you up) often work for agencies who take the full amount of all monthly donations for a period of between 9 months and 2 years. Only after this initial period does the charity actually receive your donations. From this point onwards, the agency cease to receive any part of your payments unless they can persuade you to increase the payments. Then they'll receive the full amount of the *additional* payment for a further period of between 9 months and 2 years. After this time their income dries up so that's when they'll phone you again asking for another increase!

If in doubt, always make your payments direct to charities (preferably by covenant so that the charity can benefit from the tax advantages).

[Written by a Governor of a registered charity (RNLI) which doesn't use these agencies].

Chris

[Mazzini]

That is ever so helpful, thank you for your replies. I have in the past increased my d.debits to phone canvassers but I shall not in the future. I had no idea that so much of my donation could be swallowed up before my favourite charities benefitted. I did ask today's caller how much was their 'fee' when it was briefly mentioned nearing the end of the call. After several attempts to evade the question I was told that she didn't wish to discuss her personal finances (but it is ok to phone me unsolicited and discuss mine!?) I was even told today that the charity would find my increased d.debit more helpful than a cheque as their future planning with my regular funding was all important. Funnily enough I have never had any of my 'not so useful' cheques returned from charities...and thats what I told today's caller before I bid farewell and replaced the receiver. I shall never get into one of those conversations again.....thank you