Fund raising in Tenerife

[Janet]

I find myself wondering now and then about fundraising activities in Tenerife. Any cause celebre, whether dogs, firemen, whatever, are the most deserving of causes ... but also a potential bandwagon for any crook to jump on. The question is how one can tell the difference!

Often collections are organized pretty anonymously, with little or no info about who's behind any given campaign, so although they could quite possibly all turn out to be legitimate, for me, it's hard to tell. And when it comes to legitimacy, does anyone actually know what legalities, if any, need to be complied with before fundraising? Is it a case of just rattling a can and collecting money, or does it need to be legal?

My real question, I suppose, is whether I'm right to be so cautious (some would say "suspicious" ... and I would argue that here in Tenerife that's with bloody good cause!), and whether it really matters whether something's "official" or not (assuming it needs to be).

What do you think? Of our members here, I value your opinions! 

[Nova]

I am just as "cautious" as you and would not donate money anywhere without assuring myself of its legitimacy. Surely there is already an established and official channel for donating to most genuine causes?  I'd have thought it advisable for anyone legitimately wanting to raise awareness to do so by directing donors to the proper channel rather than trying to collect themselves.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

When it was formed, I was actually the 154th member.....then it degenerated into the usual.  People haring off in all directions at once.  No thought, management, control.  So I de-joined and wish them good luck.  In the meantime, if anyone knows of any earnest, honest efforts to contribute to the bomberos, please let us know.  Probably a lot of us would be happy to give of some <X>.

[Janet]

Yes, I'm sure a lot of people would be happy to give if they knew what they're giving to, and what for. You obviously saw the post before it was edited, and I changed it because I didn't want to focus specifically on the bomberos campaign(s) because the question was more general.

But it's a case in point. Who is behind such campaigns. The FB pages usually give no clue. Could be anyone. And often claims are made (e.g. money needed for x) without a link to anything that might back it up.

Yes, OK, it can be boring for some when people keep asking for evidence, or a source, but most people refuse to accept things at face value, and I would certainly want to know what was behind some of the claims made ... and even moreso if I were going to part with money.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

I do agree with you.  The longer people have been here, the more suspicious they seem to be of fundraisers.

I think the FB group's intent was legitimate although they have no legal standing as a charity.  I don't know what their plans are at the moment.  I did see a post by a moderator from another forum saying that when the time was right, they would take over management of the fundraiser, which put me right off, and I de-joined (unjoined?) the group. 

For my part, I am not wild about just donating wads of cash to anybody I don't know, and who is under no legal obligation to account for receipts and disbursements, no matter how worthy the cause they purport to represent.  I would really want to be assured of the bona fides of anyone doing fundraising.