Warm Fuzzies
In the course of helping over 145 United Ways, we have conducted surveys with thousands of local United Way donors. On every survey, we offer donors several opportunities to express their opinions about their local United Way with fill-in-the-blank questions like “When you think of United Way, what words or phrases come to mind?” or “Are there any suggestions or comments you would like to make about United Way?”
Here are some thought-provoking comments from real donors, who gave money to their local United Way, about their local United Way:
“Oh no, not already! Someone wants me to contribute money.”
“Do not over think this. We will give, as long as you do not screw-up. You are oatmeal solid, but not in the front of my mind.”
“I don’t feel it is necessary to be thanked, but it is nice to be appreciated.”
“There will likely always be more need than United Way is able to respond to, but the effort is admirable.”
“You got your money from me for the year, now please leave me alone.”
“I don’t know how my actual contribution was used, but I assume it was used well.”
“I am a dairy farmer and rarely come face-to-face with these issues.”
“United Way should lead, not follow.”
“I make my contribution to United Way and then it goes POOF!”
“United Way is adequate, but I would prefer stunning”
“Headed down a road to oblivion”
“I don’t hear much until there is a disaster”
“I’m not sure that United Ways are not obsolete”
“Thank you for your recent survey regarding the United Way. I am hard pressed to complete this survey because I don’t know how to answer the questions. In reading through the questionnaire, I realize I don’t know anything about what the United Way does. I never hear anything about how the money was spent, whom it was spent on, or to what benefit my donation made to the community. In fact, after I give, I never hear anything from the United Way until they want money again. I’m beginning to realize that this doesn’t make any sense. I’m not sure why I am giving money except on the reputation of United Way. Maybe this needs to be reconsidered.”
Some of these comments probably made you laugh, while others probably made you wonder why these donors even supported United Way in the first place. When you read these comments, remember that this is what donors believe about their United Way, and that just because someone is a donor doesn’t mean they get United Way or love United Way. Here’s a final comment that will make you smile for the rest of today:
“I give to United Way for the warm fuzzies!”