Fundraising agencies not worried about “donor fatigue”

By Lori Baldassi

The floods are over but cleanup continues across the Windsor and Essex County. Reports from the Insurance Bureau of Canada have the bill hitting $124 million, and the call for public help is at an all-time high.

With the season of giving quickly approaching, some victims of the recent flooding may be rethinking their donations. The United Way has already kicked off its yearly campaign, and at this time, Hospice, the palliative care agency has its September Face to Face campaign wrapping up.

“Donor fatigue is very real, because competition for fundraising dollars just increases competition,” said Loraine Goddard, executive director of the United Way.

“But I believe if we can present real solutions to the community to the donors they will see that the return on their investment will be significant, and over the long haul our community will be stronger.”

Windsor has always been known as a giving city and, through the United Way, held the position for years as the number one giving community per capita in Canada.

Development manager at Access County Community Support Service Wendy German said the flooding in Windsor may actually make people more empathetic.

“We help people [who are] struggling or who are homeless and when you have… half of your belongings wiped away so quickly – what that does is create empathy,” said German.

Both agencies are aware that there might be a struggle to continue growth at this time but are confident the spirit of this community will rebound with a deeper appreciation of what it has.

There is more information about local and global charity work on weareunited.com and with the Red Cross.