Exploiting our charity
Sir: Melissa Kite (‘Asking too much’, 1 August) is spot on about charity fundraising. This has changed charitable sentiment into an exploitable business asset. The consequences are bad for both givers — who are likely to become more cynical as time goes on and therefore less charitable — and the charities themselves, which will suffer in the long term from reluctance by donors to continue to give.
One might broaden the picture and question the number of charities (more than 150,000), the details of what they do and achieve, and say that their use of ‘business models’ is simply inappropriate (for instance, salary packages for senior staff that are comparable to those in private businesses, the use of commercially oriented outside firms for fundraising, and so on).
Sadly the concept of charitable giving and activity has degenerated from its roots in Christian caritas (and its equivalent in other traditions), and is clearly ripe for re-assessment.
Michael Towsey
London
Support local causes
Sir: Melissa Kite writes sensibly about charities’ fundraising practices. For a couple of decades I have been very cynical about the large national charities. Many of them seem to exist to fundraise, and pay little attention to the needs of those who would benefit from them.
My attitude is to support mainly local charities. One can observe and learn about these charities and know that one’s money is not going to keep executives in a lavish lifestyle. Possibly I might stretch to supporting the RNLI, as it saves lives on our coastline, and also the Wales Air Ambulance, as with our terrain we need this assistance. Those I would never support include the hysteria-fest appeals by Children in Need. In any case a one-off donation is infinitely preferable to monthly giving, which is far more difficult to cancel.
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in