Be charitable: Stop sending me Christmas stuff

I’ve received enough address labels to last a decade, sighs Al MacKay

And so it begins: The cheery package from a charity arrives in the mail, informing me that “Your Holiday Cards are enclosed.” Christmas cards already? C’mon guys.

Here’s some breaking news: I don’t send Christmas cards, other than those via email. Haven’t for years.

Of course, the next postal arrival will be from another charity, kindly providing Holiday-themed return address labels to put on the cards I don’t send. Those labels will be placed on the pile of some several hundred of such labels sent in the past. I have enough address labels that even if I sent out 15 items a month, I’d probably be good for the next 10 years or so. And FYI — my calendar is on my phone.

Some advice to charities: Stop sending me stuff. Here’s the thing. If I think your cause is just and you make your case well, I’ll contribute, but probably only once a year. Therefore, the multiple mailings are a waste of your resources. You should be aware that, around the holiday season, I make it a priority to help those local organizations who are looking after families in my community over Christmas. Thus, sending me an appeal in November/December to fund more research into (fill in disease name here) is not going to be answered.

I support a number of charities and have served on the boards of several. I deeply appreciate the work they do in the community and understand what a challenge it is to fundraise and keep administration costs down.

I often wonder why more organizations are not more strategic in their relationship with donors. Ask donors if they really want the cards/ labels/keychains etc. Ask about the donor’s desired frequency and means of communications. Appreciate that while I may have donated once in memory of a friend, it does not necessarily mean I want to continue the relationship. For both our sakes, if I have not responded to multiple requests for funds, cross me off your list and save the postage. And don’t combine a tax receipt with another request for funds. Really?

And if you really want my support, put some heat on the government to change the tax regulations so that a dollar given is a dollar off one’s taxes. If the principle can work for political party contributions, surely the same can be done for charities — especially since many charities are doing more for the public good than political parties. The convoluted formulae used by the federal and provincial governments should be harmonized and simplified

Al MacKay is a retired journalist and broadcast executive. He recently served as Chair of the Travers Debates, which raised funds for the R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship.