The Mare and Foal Sanctuary asks for £1, £2, or £3. I doubt whether that is a cost-effective approach. But, instead of the usual cheque/credit card transaction, it asks for the £1, £2 or £3 in cash – sending one a cardboard pouch into which to place up to three £1 coins. And it encloses the usual Gift Aid form.
Quite apart from the apparent lack of cost-effectiveness, I would expect that specifically asking for cash very much goes against ‘good practice’. We all know that a small cash donation is much more likely to ‘go astray’ in the post, or within the charity. I rather hope that others who are asked, like us, will give it the thumbs down. But I fear that some, who are not well-off, will be attracted by this ploy.
I’d be tempted to agree with you, but..
About a week ago a friend of mine was very excited to tell me about a great fundraising appeal she’d received.
This person earns above average wage, is married to someone who does likewise, and I’d say generally astute – they even work in a financial role. They told me that they’d be far more likely to give in response to this appeal than the usual ones they receive, but a) it was for horses, and they don’t tend to do horse charities and b) they decided to hang on to it to show me.
What they described sounds a lot like the one you’re describing.
The more I do this, the more I come to the conclusion that people are just weird.