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  • Report:  #2314

Complaint Review: Habitat for Humanity - Nationwide

Reported By:
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Submitted:
Updated:

Habitat for Humanity
Nationwide, U.S.A.
Web:
N/A
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
In the past, I have been very interested in Habitat, and have appreciated the honest effort that seemed to be put forward by the organization. I would see the media publicity and the families that benefited from the projects. I thought very highly of Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately, my view has completely changed.

About 10 months ago, I received a solicitation from Habitat, so I figured why not? I donated $20 to Habitat for Humanity. I have come to regret my decision to donate. I have received numerous mail solicitations that began about 1 month after I donated. I didn't mind the initial mail as much as my first telephone call. I received a call from a woman stating that she was from Habitat for Humanity. She asked me to donate again, and I kindly explained that I had just donated a few weeks earlier. This in no way pacified her. I asked her to send me something in a few months, and I would consider donating again. She then proceeded to explain how Habitat was very low on funds and could not afford to send future solicitations. This has proven to be far from the truth.

Since I spoke on the phone with one of their representatives, I have received at least 10 mail solicitations directly from Habitat. This shocked me because I was told Habitat didn't have enough money to mail more information. Then I figured it out. Not only was I lied to, but Habatit for Humanity also sold my private information to every charity that has ever existed. I now go to the mail box everyday just wondering what charity is going to have its hand out next, thanks to Habitat for Humanity. I donated $20, and Habitat for Humanity has probably made 10 times that from selling my information. In some way this is immoral.

I will never donate to Habitat for Humanity again. Furthermore, I will see to it that my voice echoes throughout the volunteer community as to the poor practices Habitat for Humanity employs.



1 Updates & Rebuttals

T

Denver,
Colorado,
non-profit organizations sell their donors information

#2Consumer Suggestion

Tue, October 15, 2002

I want to explain to you how any and all non-profits work and how to avoid having your name sold to others. First, ALL non-profit organizations sell their donors information and also buy list from others. This is one way non-profits make money, which unfortunatley most non-profit orgs lack with todays economy. I think stating you will never help them again is a little harsh because if organizations had to depend soley on donor contributions they would be obsolete. Second, most of the direct mailings you receive come from a direct mail house. Most of these fees are paid from by the mail house not the non-profit org (most pay the mail house a monthly fee regardless of how many you receive, that depends on the contract between them and the org) so your money is not being wasted like it may appear to so many people. Like I said previously the org still pays a monthly fee to the mail house however a non-profit org cannot get rid of mailing efforts and I'm sure if you sat back and thought about it you will come to understand the rational there. In the future when you donate money to an charity or organiziation all it takes is a note stating do not sell my info, no telemarketing and/or solicit me only once, twice a year...whatever. I'm not affiliated with Habitat in any way, but you shouldn't take it out on them 100% because they are doing the limited things non-profits can do to make money. I would also suggest thoroughly checking on any org. you want to donate money to, as much as we don't like thinking about it not all are legit :)

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