Should I call the donations off?

As long as you are using the donations only for your musical equipment needs I see no problem. Most likely there will be a little flurry of donations and then it will fade away. I think you’re highly creative and innovative and you could post that any excess donations will be kept in an account for future musical needs, repairs, etc. I’d do that and then people are free to continue to donate or not.

I suggest you say something like: “Donations have exceeded my expectations. Thank you! Anyone else who wants to donate should certainly feel free to do so, but I now have enough for a new accordian strap. Thank you all again!”

Don’t allow greed to override your need, but don’t put up roadblocks either. : )

Ethically, you asked for funds for a purpose, and the purpose has been achieved. So to be true to your word, you should no longer ask for donations, until the next time you have a specific need.

Realistically, you will need straps or other supplies in the future. So I agree with @CaptainHarley that a “thank you” and a ‘give if you want’ is perfectly legitimate.

If, however, you start getting thousands of dollars (if you are so lucky) then you should turn off the spigot. That would be unethical.

@elbanditoroso – If she explains that she reached her goal, and people still give her donations anyway, how is that unethical?

Just be honest if you feel a moral dilemma. Say you reached your goal for the strap, thank evetyone, and state any additional donations will go to helping your music business if people still want to contribute. State what you ideally want to buy in addition, and that you will update with where the money goes and your success.

Conspicuously post that you appreciate the donations and have reached your goal and leave the donation drive open. Use what you have to get a new strap and save whatever else you make for future needs. People give you money because they like you and nobody is putting a gun to their head and forcing them, so I wouldn’t be too morally concerned about this if I were you.

I don’t trust Facebook and I would keep going until you have that $30 in your hands. Place a large sign next to you to let people know your problem and hope they will be generous.

I love musicians and accordians…...Say you reached your goal and keep on.

Wow…I wonder if people would help me pay my utility bill!

Explain you have reached your goal and any future accepted donations will be given to charity.

I think people are still wishing to contribute because:

a) They know you’re a good person that needs the funds
b)You’re not currently in your home country and they’re concerned for your financial well-being
c)They get that you’ll have future issues with your accordian and they want to pad your music fund.

My conscience would be clear, even if the funds far exceeded the actual amount needed at this precise moment in time.

I completely agree with @CaptainHarley. I even think the wording he used is perfect.

Thanks, all! But it seems that posting this question jinxed it—the donations have stopped! But there are still a few hours till bedtime in America. :)

Do you have some recordings handy that you haven’t published yet? Maybe you could offer a private download of your new music to your benefactors.

You could change the nature of your pitch, too. Ask people to sponsor your street musicianship. Are you on tour? Offer a special recording for each place you visit, if you can. Maybe just recorded on your iPhone or something. Add a special message only for those who supported you.

Let them be your tour sponsors. Or is this tour idea something someone else made up? If you are touring, where are you and where are you going?

Oh my iPhone? So much for coming off as a struggling gypsy artist! :) Maybe Jellies will chip in for an iPhone!

Getting sponsorship is a good idea, @wundayatta! I’m not really on tour, but rather playing long-term in a foreign country.