The Bad Taste of Empty Promises

Guest Blogger: Amy Lewis is currently completing her Bachelor of Management, with a major in Marketing and minor in Corporate Social Responsibility from University of Lethbridge. Amy has a diverse range communication experience, including marketing, media relations and, event planning. Amy enjoys exploring the variety of options that Marketing and Public Relationspresents.  

Recently I was approached on the street by a well-known charity and was asked to give. The street educators filled in the gaps of my understanding, clarified a few details and answered my questions. They improved my understanding of what the charity did and whom they served.  After their spiel they asked me if I was interested in becoming a regular donor - I wasn’t comfortable leaving financial information with somebody on the street, regardless if they wok for awell-known cause or not, and agreed that a representative could call me.

And call me they did, they were pretty persistent and since I don’t answer numbers I don’t recognize they continued to fill my voicemail box. Finally I answered the phone, and probed them with questions. It seemed legit and since I have trouble saying no to requests like these, I agreed and signed my life away (well not really but you know what I mean).

The rep on the phone promised I would be receiving a great little information pack in the mail, containing further information on the organization and their current initiatives. Weeks passed and still no mail from the organization.

Now, I’m still learning about donor stewardship but isn’t it imperative for an organization to follow through on a promise like this? Wouldn’t they want to keep new donors engaged and informed?

Since I’m still young isn’t now the time to cultivate me? To build a relationship with me? Down the road, when I’m further in my career and able to give more substantially, aren’t I more likely to give to an organization whom I have a relationship, and to give to that organization on a more regular basis?

Nobody enjoys empty promises, especially when you are attempting to build a relationship. Needless to say I discontinued my monthly contribution and have found new causes/organizations to support.

Experiences like this can easily turn people off from donating. Especially donors who are trying to become more educated in donor stewardship and who want to know how their money is going to be used and where it’s going.