Miss Manners: The importance of promptly acknowledging charitable donations

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was inundated with requests for charitable donations in the mail this Christmas. A lot of time, effort and money was invested in these letters. However, when I donate to some of these organizations, it takes a long time, if any, to receive recognition. Sometimes I need to request a receipt just for tax reasons.

Aside from the obvious courtesy of acknowledging a donation, such acknowledgment could also encourage the donor to make a repeat gift. Otherwise, previous donors may not donate again. The lack of civility led me to remove several organizations from my “approved” list. I hope that these comments will lead to further expressions of gratitude.

GOOD READER: Have your relatives all written you thank you letters for the gifts you sent them?

You can be sure that Miss Manners is not bringing this up to imply that expressions of gratitude are no longer necessary. Except they’re in short supply – even from people who are angry when they don’t get positive recognition for the photo they posted of their lunch.

Charities are being very short-sighted if they neglect this or water down thanks by attaching them to new requests. Miss Manners recognizes that you are not the only donor who will be prompted to donate elsewhere.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website www.missmanners.com, to her email address [email protected] or by mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106 .)

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1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500