MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506 
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Aug 28, 2015 20:06:35 GMT
Say someone you know is going to run a marathon to raise funds for an organization which is near and dear to her heart because it assists those with a rare disease which affects her family. This person has no idea how much $$ to shoot for as a goal, because she's never done this before. She pulls an amount out of nowhere - $1000. She posts what she is doing on Facebook with a link to donate if her friends are so inclined. The goal amount is met within hours, and within a few days she has raised over $2000. She is so encouraged by this. Her good friend (me) then posts it on her own Facebook page to show support. Many of my friends know this marathon friend (but are not fb friends with her), and think very highly of her. I have had 30+ friends "like" my post, but only 2 have added to the total raised.
I'm curious why more people aren't donating. When you are presented with an "opportunity" to help a friend out in this way, are you less inclined to give if the (arbitrary) goal is already met? Or are you likely to give anyway to show support?
For the record, my DH and I give to to almost anyone who asks in similar situations, and a few of the friends who have "liked" my post but not donated have been recipients of our help when asked.
I'm wondering if my friend raised her goal if people would be more likely to donate. Please assume that, yes, these people do have a good relationship with both marathon friend and me, and that these people do not have any (obvious) financial reasons to not donate.
Basically, I'm just wondering about the $ goal and what part it plays in the willingness of someone to contribute.
ETA: The $1000 goal is on her official fundraising page.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Aug 28, 2015 20:11:41 GMT
For me, it doesn't matter whether the goal has already been met, it matters what the funds are being raised for. I don't have unlimited funds and prefer to donate to causes that are dear to my heart.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 12:27:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 20:41:24 GMT
I would thank all of your donors for exceeding expectations. And figure out a way to say we are still excepting donations.
Edited to add. I think this is why the amount of donations is never reveled until the end date.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 12:27:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 20:43:23 GMT
Hmm. I would have to say yes, that I am less likely to give if the goal is shown as met.
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Aug 28, 2015 20:47:49 GMT
For me I think it depends on the goal. An arbitrary personal goal for a donation to give to a large charity is different from say, a goal to buy one specific thing, say a family who had an expensive tragedy and needs money to pay for X. Once X is paid for, I am less inclined to give more. Of course, I'm less inclined to give to a large charity fund raising effort if it's not something that is meaningful to me. I only have so much money to give and I keep it for things that I connect with. I think most people do that, which is why there are so many charities out there.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 12:27:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 20:48:57 GMT
The reasons might not be obvious but they might be there. That little bit extra to donate to something that isn't near and dear to their hearts might just not be possible.
I wouldn't personally give to a charity or organisation that means little to me, it probably sounds mean and harsh but that's the way it is for most people I think? Someone correct if I'm wrong.
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Post by scraphollie27 on Aug 28, 2015 20:49:34 GMT
I like these types posts on Facebook to show my support for my friends' endeavours not necessarily because I support the charity. If I was to donate, a goal amount would be irrelevant.
Maybe your friends have supported another candidate or already have already donated to this charity. Or maybe they only have directed charitable expenditures and aren't tempted by Facebook posts or maybe your friends are just tapped out right now.
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Post by alissa103 on Aug 28, 2015 20:51:45 GMT
I don't pay attention to that. If I want to donate, I do and if funds are short or I've donated to someone else running the same race, etc. I dont or just a small amount. For instance, we used to live in Memphis where people run the St. Jude marathon every year and we'd have 25 or more friends raising money for that. Even giving them each $25 would be out of our budget. So we might pick the friend who's the first time runner to donate to that year or whatever.
I definitely wouldn't expect every friend who liked the status to also donate. Some can, some can't or won't but the support is appreciated either way.
I also don't donate to every cause I'm asked to or we'd not be able to afford to do our bigger gifts to causes close to our heart.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Aug 28, 2015 20:51:40 GMT
For me, it doesn't matter whether the goal has already been met, it matters what the funds are being raised for. I don't have unlimited funds and prefer to donate to causes that are dear to my heart.  |
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Aug 28, 2015 21:40:15 GMT
Thanks for all your replies - they've given me perspective in this. There are some details I haven't given which greatly add some emotion to the situation (regarding the rare disease and the marathon friend), but I do respect that not everyone is pulled to support her at this time, and you've helped me see that.  |
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Post by Miss Lerins Momma on Aug 28, 2015 21:46:54 GMT
I wouldn't care if her goal was met or not, but some people might. If I were her, I'd raise the goal... might pull in more donations.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 12:27:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 23:45:38 GMT
I will say that I very rarely donate to the pet cause of someone else. I tend to donate to causes that are close to my heart.
I had a friend who died from CF....I have a nephew with leukemia....I support the local crisis pregnancy center, etc. I can't remember if there has ever be a time I have donated to someone else's pet cause.
I guess you could count the Christmas present to my FIL's wife -- a donation to her favorite charity. But I really don't like doing so because I have my own charities that I want to support.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Aug 28, 2015 23:59:04 GMT
The goal amount doesn't matter to me. I have a certain amount per year for donations, but it's my choice on whom to give them to.
Think on this...what if I've already given $xxx to this charity, should I give more because it's requested by a friend?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 12:27:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 23:59:42 GMT
I don't look to see if a goal has been met. but often I have several friends supporting the same cause/event. I can't give to all of them. One will get my finances but the others can have virtual or verbal support.
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