When Do Charity Mailings Go Too Far?

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I have been donating to St. Joseph's for awhile now but I still receive a lot of unsolicited "gifts". With my next check I am going to tell them to stop sending me these gifts or I will stop sending a check.
I didn't start donating because I felt guilty about receiving gifts, I started donating because of what was done to the American Indians.

Denise Mancini of FL 2:46PM April 14, 2013

I received the same package of unsolicited gifts , designed, I suspect, to make me feel guilty....... and it does. I will send a small gift and ask to be taken off their mailing list; a ploy I've tried with other organizations but doesn't often work.
Thank you for writing

Camille of NY 4:22PM March 16, 2013

Thank you for sharing. I just got the same package and had the same uncertainty about these folks.

FP of TX 8:32PM March 15, 2013

Thanks for doing my homework for me. This solicitation is only one of a dozen I get through the mail every day. I, too, tried to find out about their administrative, fundraising, etc.. costs on Charity Navigator, but there is no information available.
Bottom line for me is effectiveness (and the cause). True, I would have to take the School's word for whatever it says, but the fact that I am given no information about the school curriculum, attendence, graduates since the establishment of the school, where/what graduates do after completing (high school?).... any kind of follow-up that would provide evidence of effectiveness.

Clicker of IL 6:37PM March 15, 2013

thank you for doing the research. I also was wondering how they got my name and address and why they would send so many gifts. I also thought to send the $5 to cover the cost and I guess that's why they do it because people feel guilty and they are still making money on the $5 gift. I wonder if I was to send a $5.00 check in a plain envelope without their reply card where my money would go?

MR of NY 9:14AM March 10, 2013

Hello. I received a similar package before Christmas this year. I'm originally from SD, and had been wondering how I had been chosen to receive the elaborate package. Unlike you, I did not read the literature well enough to realize they were soliciting $5 to cover "the cost" of the "gift." I know it's surprising, but everything included in the package was probably secured at a cost of only around $1.00--including their postage costs. It's a unique way to raise funds--as long as one person out of five would give that amount, they're even or ahead on their costs. Factor in all the people who would give far more than that, and all of a sudden "4% for administrative" costs becomes a whole lot of money. I hope next time you send them another strongly worded letter, but that you refrain from donating UNLESS you feel they deserve it or are otherwise "moved."

SD JAG of WI 7:30PM March 01, 2013

I received the same package and had the same reservations, which is why I'm here.
The main reason for my not donating to St. Joseph's, however, is the fact that it's bad enough that we forcibly took the Natives' land from them; displacing them, which caused them unimaginable hardships. Then we forced our way of life, including our God, down their throats, and sectarian schools, such as St. Joseph's, were, and still are, the main vehicle for our continued cultural genocide of the Native Americans---"Kill the Indian, save the man."
To be sure, many Natives have embraced Christianity, but, I don't embrace what has been done to them in the name of Christianity and I'm not contributing to it.
Besides, the Catholic Church, via the Vatican, has more money than many entire nations, so let them pay for their own proselytizing.
Meanwhile, I'm looking for a way to give to real Natives in real need, where they live, without going through a religious intermediary.
Christianity has done enough harm to indigenous peoples without my contribution.

ChazH of MD 11:57PM October 01, 2012

what i dont understand is how they got me in their mailing list x[.

sagm of IL 2:47PM November 15, 2011

...that the main purpose of gifts in charity mailings was to get you to open the envelope. I've never felt at all obligated to make a donation just to pay for the gift. But I've never received anything as elaborate as what you describe.
Also, it's a myth that you can say anything about the quality of a charity by looking at its overhead costs. All responsible charities need to spend money (and/or paid staff time) to evaluate whether their programs are working - and that expense counts as overhead. And quite a few irresponsible charities fudge their overhead numbers anyway.

Johanna of MD 12:34PM October 26, 2010

I determine my giving by checking the "Charity Navigator" webite to see what the salary of the head of the organization is. I feel that an organization that pays its head in the 100's of thousands (and many do) is not one with its priorities set correctly. One organization I give to regularly is UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). 100% of what you donate is used for the project you designate. The administrative costs and "advertising" costs are paid for by a single offering taken in every United Methodist Church on one Sunday called "One Great Hour of Sharing". When you search UMCOR's website you can find descriptions of the projects so you know exactly what you money is doing. I think, you don't have to be a United Methodist or even a Christian to see that this is one of the best uses of charity giving.

Arlene Green of NJ 10:25AM October 22, 2010