Regular Charity Donation
There are some charities I support and others I don’t. For instance as someone who has lost his wife and son to cancer, anything with cancer or loss in it, gets my consideration. On the other hand charities who use chuggers don’t. You will see from the links on the blog, a couple of the charities that I currently support.
So I had this idea to set up a suitable payment for all of these and other charities every year on my birthday, which just happens to be in a few days time. The advantage as I see it, is that because of the payment date they will be easy to find, modify and if necessary remove.
I have chosen to do it on my birthday, as that is a good psychological day for me. I suspect it is for others too! There is also this feeling that you’ve made another year, so perhaps these payments are your present to say thanks for still being here.
I will of course know that on my birthday, I better have a certain amount in my bank account. But then a reminder on my computer for say the first of August every year, would cure that.
I also feel that say £50 each year for ten years is probably better than £500 one year and then a whole lot of aggro as the charity tries to get more.
When in the future I pop my clogs, it will also be easy for my executors to sort out my charity payments. Especially if you put a little note in your will, explaining the payments. I think a good solicitor could write a nice clause for a will saying that some of the estate would be distributed to various charities in proportion to the birthday standing orders.
Since I wrote this piece originally, I’ve set up two of these charity payments.
One was for a small charity and all I needed was their bank account number and bank sort code.
For a national charity, I actually chose them from a list on Nationwide’s on-line computer system.
My only worry is that the charities get the Gift Aid right!
But let’s face it, bankers have had a lot of bad publicity lately and perhaps putting a Gift Aid check box, when you choose a charity from their list can’t be the world’s most difficult programming task.
I would welcome the views of anybody involved in charity fund raising.
The Anonymous Widower 
this is a lovely thing to do, and all charities like to be able to forecast their future income. However, you will still get begging letters, especially from the larger charities which outsource the sending of mail shots and they dont tally with existing donors.
Dont forget little charities when you are making your selection, they often really struggle – things like childrens football clubs who only really get money from parents of the children. a while ago I made a donation, via someone taking part in a sponsored event, to a little charity in Israel which gathers the body parts of people affected by acts of terrorism, sorts out which bits belong where, so that the family know they have as much as possible back. And they do it for all victims regardless of ethnicity. I personally choose not to support any charity which only works with people from one religion or ethnicity.
Comment by liz | August 9, 2012 |
I think it’s the little charities that will benefit from this, as they probably get the same people to contribute each year. And both sides dread the annual round of collecting. This spreads it around the year, as we all have different birthdays and the donors don’t have to remember to donate.
A lot of people would set up a standing order, but would resent being called regularly for a small amount, as people always call at the wrong time.
Comment by AnonW | August 9, 2012 |
I dont give money to people who call!
Comment by liz | August 9, 2012 |
I don’t either. One called me on my mobile a few days ago,when I was on the bus and I missed my stop. I was not amused.
Comment by AnonW | August 9, 2012 |
[…] I’ve had some more positive responses on my idea for giving to charity on your birthday, with I outlined here. […]
Pingback by Birthday Charity Giving « The Anonymous Widower | August 13, 2012 |