Are You Asking Me Or Telling Me?

I completely understand your frustration. I have tried my best to donate time and talents over the past few years because of being strapped for cash. If an organization wants to have a philanthropic reputation, it shouldn't come by it at the expense of its employees. Honestly, I find ones that work with different charities to be more honorable, especially since much of the giving is inspired from stories from their own people.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I completely agree. I'm not against charity at all, but I prefer to choose which charity I give to, when I give, and how much I give. It's funny that with all of the emails they send out asking donations they don't have any explanation of what the charity is going to do with your money, who it's going to, or case studies. And most of the big charities they ask us to donate to take a huge chunk of the money for just organizing the drive. AND in addition to that, my company gives cash prizes back to some employees who donated "early". It's practically a charity raffle.

And then they have the audacity to make me feel bad for not "donating to charity".

You say you feel pressured to donate. But really, what has your company done to pressure you? The fact that they send you a personally addressed letter, that they have a big fundraiser, and they make it easy to donate from your paycheck does not constitute "pressure". Even having someone come and ask for money isn't really pressure (unless they say "I noticed you haven't donated yet.. we frown on that here"). There are valid reasons for this, not the least of which that the corporation really does care about charity and they want to get the word out and make it easy to donate.

One of the few rules I have learned in my life is "when someone does something that pisses you off, chances are they didn't do it on purpose."

I have the unique perspective of having worked for two companies that were exact opposites when it came to pressure to donate. The first would give the managers expensive gifts tied to their departments participation in the charity. Needless to say, when the manager is going to get a free trip to Hawaii for 100% participation, you're gonna feel some pressure to participate.

My current company is nothing like that. Yeah, the fundraiser is a huge deal, and we are constantly reminded to donate. But not once have I ever had anyone come to me and personally pressure me to donate (I do donate, but not every year).

So maybe you just have the wrong idea about your company. Is it so hard to give them the benefit of the doubt, and imagine they really are just trying to make a difference?

Churches used to, and some still do, post which families contributed and how much they contributed. I have to imagine guilt and public appearance contributed to some families motivations.

The Red Cross comes to my office building once every 2 months, and I regularly ask colleagues to join me in giving. I think increased awareness is important. That being said, for those who can't contribute money, there are often many other ways that you can be supportive with time.

I tend to agree with Scott, that it sounds less like true pressure and more like a solid awareness campaign.

Carlee makes a good point. I feel much more comfortable donating when it is transparent where the money is going, how it will be used (ie case studies or the opportunity to volunteer time as well) and that the it be clear what % will end up covering admin costs.