Why don't charities all join a lottery system?
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January 25th, 2015
So I was thinking today about the hundreds of charities and how they can have a lottery system that gives them money directly on via stamps. Kind of like the publisher clearing house. Instead of posting stamps for magazines, you pick up to 5 stamps of charities you would like to support, and the pot that usually goes to the states, gets put into the charities.
At the end of the year you can hold onto your tickets as evidence of the amount you paid for your tickets. So if you bought 30 dollars worth of tickets each month you get 360 dollars charitable deduction. The main pot going to the winner can be as small as 250,000. People get to give to several charities, and there is a chance they win something and the charities don’t have to hire solicitors and people don’t have to be harassed at home by phone or mail. Also corrupt charities become a thing of the past. Only legit charities can enter the lotto.
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6 Answers
Why should they ? Apparently whatever methods they’re currently using are working fine for them. I don’t see any advantage FOR THEM in the system you propose.
I’m not real keen on tying charities to a system that preys on want.
@Buttonstc They would have little overhead in the way of paying telemarketers to solicit money for them. Most telemarketing industries keep the large portions. There are plenty of people who already play lotteries so it would not be any more of a strain on those already playing. Also they will get a larger pool.
As it stands right now, I use to give to charities but it has become a real turn off. They keep hitting me up almost every month for donations and I’m sure they sell the numbers to other organizations. So for every solicitor I say yes, there are 10 more waiting around the corner. As a result I have stopped all charitable donations. I would love to give to some, but it has become too much of a hassle to even give to the charities I do like. I don’t even answer my phone anymore. I throw all charitable donation mail in the trash. I’m sure I am not the only person doing this. T
In time they will need a new way of collecting donations.
We have actually been doing something similar in Alaska. With our permanent fund dividends we are given the option to “pick, click, give.” Certain charities are sponsered I am not certain how they are selected and when you file for your dividend we are given the choice to contribute, each individual gets to choose the charity and the amount. Of course it is tax deductible. This year they are actually offering something I believe it is extra money or airline miles to ten lucky individuals who contribute. This is the first year they are trying it this way. I wonder if there will be an uptick in donations.
State Lotteries already have a significant part of the money spent earmarked. In California, 34% of lottery funds goes to schools; 16% to administration.
It costs a lot to run a lottery plus you have to give out prizes.
@Unbroken Awesome idea. That is even better. Instant tax deduction. As for the plane idea, that is even better. Its a great way to drum up more money.
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