Odd donation tactics for Colo Spgs Firefighters fundraiser drive

[Little Dutch]

I received a call from someone soliciting for a Colorado Springs Firefighters fundraiser a minute ago. I thought the interaction was weird, so I'm sharing.

It went about like this.
<random softphone number ringing on my phone>
Me: Hello, This is <Dutch>
Lady: <Opening spiel stuff> If we send you an email or an envelope, would you donate to the Colorado Springs Firefighter fundraiser. The information about the fundraiser will be included so you can research and verify the org... etc. <more opening spiel stuff>.
Me: Send me an email. <I don't mind donating to the firefighters, although we usually do our donations once a year>
Lady: Before I can send you an email I need to know much you will be donating.
Me: I don't know, I haven't received the packet telling me what the donation is for.
Lady: Can we count on you for at least $25?
Me: I do not know, I have not yet received the packet telling me what the donation is for.
Lady: Thank you, have a good day.

And she disconnected.

She never did get my email, so it's likely a legit drive. I don't mind donating, but I like to know for what I'm donating before agreeing to anything. At least when the arthritis foundation, Mormons or Jehovah's, etc call me they have a website they can give me.

[Irving]

Same as the donate to cops scam.

[def90]

Yeah, just a scammer, any time you tell them to send you info and they deflect they are full of shit.

[whitewalrus]

Yeah, just a scammer, any time you tell them to send you info and they deflect they are full of shit.

Yeah that?s a good way to tell.

Always a good thing to see where the money actually goes. Many ?charities? spend so little towards the cause they support.


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[Martinjmpr]

Yeah that?s a good way to tell.

Always a good thing to see where the money actually goes. Many ?charities? spend so little towards the cause they support.


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I'm not sure but I don't think there is any law that specifies what specific percentage has to be donated to the cause in order for an organization to call itself a "charity" and solicit donations.

There may be a law for 501(c) tax exemption or similar, but AFAIK there's nothing that prevents Joe Schmoe from setting up the "widders and orphans" charity and then solicit donations saying "I'm collecting for the pore widders and orpans", collecting $1000, "donating" a buck and keeping the rest as "operating expenses."

It's sleazy and scummy but apart from tax laws (I wonder how many of them declare what they get as income?) but I don't think it's technically illegal as long as SOMETHING is given to the charity in question.

My pet peeve is the guys who hang around motorcycle rallies saying they're "collecting money for veterans."

[def90]

I'm not sure but I don't think there is any law that specifies what specific percentage has to be donated to the cause in order for an organization to call itself a "charity" and solicit donations.

There may be a law for 501(c) tax exemption or similar, but AFAIK there's nothing that prevents Joe Schmoe from setting up the "widders and orphans" charity and then solicit donations saying "I'm collecting for the pore widders and orpans", collecting $1000, "donating" a buck and keeping the rest as "operating expenses."

It's sleazy and scummy but apart from tax laws (I wonder how many of them declare what they get as income?) but I don't think it's technically illegal as long as SOMETHING is given to the charity in question.

My pet peeve is the guys who hang around motorcycle rallies saying they're "collecting money for veterans."

That's why I always ask them to send me info on their organization so that I can do research on them. They always waffle and want an up front commitment which then tells me they are full of shit. The only firemen I give money to are the guys that are in their trucks at the corner collecting money in their boots.

[hurley842002]

I don?t answer unknown numbers, too much spam out there, if it?s important they?ll leave a message.


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[Eric P]

So taxes paid for cops and firefighters is not a large enough of a forced donation? GTFO with these scams. If there is a need, sell a tax increase to the public.

[Irving]

Timely video