Monday, December 17, 2007
Imbedded Giving – Help or Hindrance?
Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, is seeking federal legislation on imbedded giving programs. Raising funds for charity has become increasingly difficult in a world that has gone from pony express to direct mail to internet giving, affinity credit cards and now product association (imbedded giving). Brand marketing is nothing new in business or charity. Finding cost effective ways to inform the community of a charities’ activities is a daily effort at any charity seeking to raise funds – including the Los Angeles Mission.
As a charity leader we welcome a limited involvement in this issue by government regulators. I believe the extent of regulation should be limited to Mr. Mendez quotes in Sunday’s (12-16-07) New York Times: “We need to ensure that charity is not being used solely as a sales pitch.”
“He is looking at a measure to require that retailers notify charities when their names are being used in sales promotions, to require charities’ approval of embedded giving and to require retailers to disclose how much they are actually giving to charities.” writes Stephanie Strom in the Times.
We at the Los Angeles Mission are constantly seeking low-cost, low-risk ways to inform the community about the issue of homelessness and the work we do. Imbedded marketing can be a great strategy to inform the public while raising funds from a generation of consumers whose giving patterns are different than mom & dad or grandma and grandpa.
We welcome legislation that would prohibit the unlawful use of our logo and reputation. But, we ask that such legislation be simple and cost effective to implement so that more funds go to services for the homeless and not to fundraising costs!
A contract with the charity before using its name (likely trademarked anyway) and a clear statement on how much is given to charity under what circumstances is enough paperwork for us. The Los Angeles Mission appreciates the support of the legitimate retail community and welcomes support to curb abuses on the illegal use of its name for fundraising.
On a related but similar note, the Los Angeles Mission does not solicit door-to-door, yet we annually receive calls about such activity. Beware of how you give.
In fact, you might want to review the Better Business Bureau’s “Tips on Charitable Giving” for more thoughts on the issue.
--Herb Smith, President
As a charity leader we welcome a limited involvement in this issue by government regulators. I believe the extent of regulation should be limited to Mr. Mendez quotes in Sunday’s (12-16-07) New York Times: “We need to ensure that charity is not being used solely as a sales pitch.”
“He is looking at a measure to require that retailers notify charities when their names are being used in sales promotions, to require charities’ approval of embedded giving and to require retailers to disclose how much they are actually giving to charities.” writes Stephanie Strom in the Times.
We at the Los Angeles Mission are constantly seeking low-cost, low-risk ways to inform the community about the issue of homelessness and the work we do. Imbedded marketing can be a great strategy to inform the public while raising funds from a generation of consumers whose giving patterns are different than mom & dad or grandma and grandpa.
We welcome legislation that would prohibit the unlawful use of our logo and reputation. But, we ask that such legislation be simple and cost effective to implement so that more funds go to services for the homeless and not to fundraising costs!
A contract with the charity before using its name (likely trademarked anyway) and a clear statement on how much is given to charity under what circumstances is enough paperwork for us. The Los Angeles Mission appreciates the support of the legitimate retail community and welcomes support to curb abuses on the illegal use of its name for fundraising.
On a related but similar note, the Los Angeles Mission does not solicit door-to-door, yet we annually receive calls about such activity. Beware of how you give.
In fact, you might want to review the Better Business Bureau’s “Tips on Charitable Giving” for more thoughts on the issue.
--Herb Smith, President
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
No poke in the eye with a sharp stick!
Yesterday Blue Cross of California together with Maxim held a flu shot event here at the Los Angeles Mission. I couldn’t resist getting fellow blogger Don Garza on camera! My how the big guys complain about needles! Don wasn’t alone as you can see.
We were pleased to be one of three sites Monday. I hope the Union Rescue Mission and Midnight Mission had as much fun as we did while doing something so needed for the community.
--Herb Smith, President
We were pleased to be one of three sites Monday. I hope the Union Rescue Mission and Midnight Mission had as much fun as we did while doing something so needed for the community.
--Herb Smith, President
