Comments on: Christmas/Holiday Cards, and Vacation

By: Uneasy Rhetoric » Blog Archive » Nonprofit Holiday Cards.

Uneasy Rhetoric » Blog Archive » Nonprofit Holiday Cards. — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 06:55:15 +0000

[...] Earlier, I asked whether nonprofits should be sending out holiday cards to any portion of their constituencies. [...]

By: Molly

Molly — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 06:23:15 +0000

It’s not a non-profit, but I got a christmas letter from my alma matter a few years back. It was a lovely little note about the school, the wintertime in Spokane (which really is lovely when there’s no freezing rain), etc. However, the end paragraph mentioned something about, “at this time of year when we celebrate God’s greatest gift, we ask that you remember us with a donation”. It was then that I decided they would never receive a penny from me. So whenever I see Christmas cards from non-profits I’m always a little skeptical.

By: Carl

Carl — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 00:16:40 +0000

I have to disagree with the no card people – just because it’s so cheap to make and ship cards. The cards don’t have to be anything custom, so in many cases we’re talking probably 50-60 cents to buy and mail each card. A card IS actually a form of solicitation, though there isn’t (shouldn’t be) an “ask” with a card.

I would imagine that the cost difference between a card and a regular mailing is negligible. I think the customer donation benefit of a once per year card is actually better than it would be for alternative; the 4th or 6th or 12th annual mail solicitation from that non-profit. I don’t see sending cards as a pure expense. I see them as an investment, so any discussion about whether they’re a waste of money needs to be weighed against the payback on that investment (which is obviously hard to measure).

UNICEF and every political organization FLOOD you with solicitation mailings. I’d actually welcome something from them that, for once, isn’t an ask. Side note: I don’t have anything against Hillary, but I’ve never donated to her and she won’t leave me alone. Stalker.

By: Amelie

Amelie — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 20:28:18 +0000

No cards. Nice holiday emails that catch you up on the work of a nonprofit are good, though.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 03:11:08 +0000

I am with Andrew and feel like it is a waste of the money I donated. They say thank you when they send the receipt and that is plenty. I don’t give more because they send me a card. That’s what I think about that.

By: maya

maya — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 21:41:46 +0000

Interesting. Nonprofit organizations are just like any other business in that they need to maintain contact with their constituents. A lot of individual donors feel entitled to gifts, recognition, etc. Not sending a holiday card would be akin to appearing ungrateful. Perhaps offering donors the option of opting-out of such mailings would be the way to accomodate those who feel their donations are “wasted” on such important tasks as, say, fundraising?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 06:52:43 +0000

I realize this is only for a segment of nonprofits, but when I get a card from a charity organization I have given money to, I always think, “Is this where my donation went?” I realize it’s not a very sophisticated thought about fundraising and the like, but it’s what comes to mind.

I guess the second part of that thought is that I already knew they appreciated my donation. If they sent me an email greeting, I would be fine with that. However, the cost of the cards and postage seems like an expense they could avoid.

Happy New Year to you, too!

By: Carl

Carl — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 06:32:06 +0000

Absolutely. It’s a great way to keep your organization in people’s minds without the contact ALWAYS involving a solicitation.