Policy Will Dampen, not Kill, Desire to Give

January 22, 2004

Dear Editor,

In your article about Tuesday's Fine Arts DAC meeting with Superintendent Deasy to discuss his proposed gift policy, I am quoted as saying the policy will kill anyone's desire to fundraise. ("Nuts and Bolts of Gift Policy Worry Art Advocates," January 22, 2004)

If I did say that, it wouldn't be the first time I've overstated my case.

My real belief, however, is that the policy will dampen, not kill, people's desire to fundraise. Two kinds of deflation will set in -- the literal 15 percent taken from the groups that fundraise and at least a 15 percent deflation of fundraisers' and donors' spirits.

The six groups I've worked with at Samohi have always struggled just to pay expenses for basic needs. The idea of having 15 percent of the funds people have worked to raise and sacrificed to give being diverted from their intended purpose -- no matter how worthy the new purpose is --well, it's just deflating.

Obviously people won't stop fundraising entirely: If the choice is contribute 85 percent of what you raise or nothing, most people will still support the schools. But I don't think they'll do it with the same enthusiasm, which will translate into lost funds for every school.