Fundraising by the New York State Deputies Association, Inc.
The New York State Deputies Association, Inc. (NYSDA) engages in fundraising activities throughout the year. NYSDA utilizes the services of Midwest Publishing, Inc. (MPI), a professional fundraising company. We provide this link in order to answer some of the more common inquiries regarding this fundraising. If you have additional questions, MPI provides a toll free number for purposes of contacting a supervisor. That number is 1-800-684-9945. You may also feel free to contact a NYSDA representative at the phone numbers or e-mail addresses provided here. We thank you for your inquiry.
A message from Tom Ross, Executive Director for the New York State Deputies Association, Inc.
We rely on the generosity of our many contributors to continue our efforts in support of the thousands of men and women who serve the citizens of the counties of New York State. We are grateful that many citizens are kind enough to offer us their financial support. Like many other organizations, we use a professional fundraising company. Professional fundraising companies are frequently viewed as shady operations working out of some darkened back room. As is so often the case, everyone is judged by the bad apples. We work hard to ensure that this is not the case with our fundraiser.
You seldom meet anyone who enjoys getting calls from telemarketers. If you do not want to receive calls from our fundraiser, all you need do is ask to be placed on our do-not-call list. This list was created by MPI long before the creation of the National Do Not Call Registry. Neither NYSDA nor MPI want to call people who don't wish to be called. MPI uses a computerized system. Once you say, "Put me on your do not call list", the system won't allow your number to be called.
But for those who do wish to make a contribution, we'd like to offer some insight into the often made accusation that a fundraising company "keeps" the majority of your donation. This statement is misleading. Under our contract with the fundraising company, NYSDA receives 17% of the total amount contributed. Although MPI "keeps" the remaining 83%, it is far from profit. MPI must pay all of the expenses incurred in the fundraising process. They must buy computers and calling equipment, pay telephone bills, employee salaries, rent, heat, electricity, postage, printing ... you get the point. The expenses add up quickly, and costs are incurred for each call, not just those that result in a contribution.
A quick explanation of the process might be helpful. MPI's computer system dials a phone number. If the person who is called agrees to make a donation, an invoice is mailed. If there is no response to the invoice, a reminder is mailed. If there is no response to the reminder, the transaction is cancelled and "written off."
MPI's experience is that 2% of those contacted with "cold calls" agree to make a donation. Of the 2% who agree to make a donation, only 28% follow through and send the full amount pledged. Although 98% of the original calls do not generate a contribution, there is still significant expense incurred in facility, labor and telephone costs to make those calls. Once a contribution is offered, there are printing, mailing, and labor costs involved - and almost 3/4 of those mailings do not result in income. MPI is responsible for all the expenses, and our organization receives 17% of every donation. So if no one ever made a contribution, the worst we would ever do is break even.
We have learned from experience that fundraising is not easy. We have tried alternative methods, and have lost money, often significant amounts, each time. On one occasion we conducted a direct mailing to 35,000 homes. We had to hire people to do the work, purchase the mailing list and pay printing and mailing costs. Of the 35,000 pieces of mail sent, we received fewer than 50 contributions. We lost several thousand dollars because of the costs incurred. Technically, we did not get any of those contributions. Instead of 17% of the donation, we received "less than 0%."
Fundraising is a business, and overhead is a part of business. I often go to the drive-up window of a national donut chain and order a large coffee. The cost is $2.06 after tax. It would cost me a few pennies to make a cup of coffee at home, a penny or two for a shot of cream and some sugar. But the chain is not making $1.50 or more per cup of coffee - if that were the case, I'd own a shop myself! They have to pay for the cup, and the building, and the coffee maker, and the person who handed me the coffee and took my money, and the guy who plows the lot in the winter, and the window washing company, and the packets of sugar that people take home, etc., etc., etc.
We are not a marketing company, but we have learned that overhead is far more expensive than the average person may realize. Though 17% might seem a small percentage, that perception is based upon the assumption that every inquiry generates a contribution. The truth is that only a small portion of calls generate a contribution. A huge volume of calls must be generated to realize a profit, and this type of service can only be provided by a company that does it full-time. MPI takes all the risks, as they must pay all operating costs. Certainly they make a profit - or why would they be in business? But based on our own experiences with running this type of operation, it is difficult to believe that their profit percentage would outside of the single digit range - probably the low single digits.
We selected MPI largely because of the protections provided. As stated earlier, their system is full computerized. We can quickly review when a number was called, how many times it was called, and how long the call lasted. In addition, each call is recorded. If we receive a complaint of misconduct by an employee of MPI, we can listen to the actual call that was made and deal with any improper activity. There is no way that we could conduct this type of operation ourselves - we need to hire a professional service.
We recognize that you are subjected to numerous requests for donations, and if you choose to contribute to our organization we are grateful. If you do choose to do so, you may rest assured that we will benefit from your donation and that no fundraiser is keeping 83% of your contribution. If we felt that was the case, we would not engage in the practice. We thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions.
A message from Stan Burzynski, Vice-President of Midwest Publishing, Inc.:
Midwest Publishing, Inc., the official fundraiser for the New York State Deputies Association, was formed in 1978 to meet the needs of the non-profit and charitable sectors of society. It is MPI’s intention to deliver fundraising services in the most ethical, professional and efficient manner possible. MPI has developed an extensive training program and initiated corporate compliance policies as well as rules of conduct that every solicitor and manager must sign and adhere to. The result has been successful fundraising campaigns for many worthwhile organizations across the country.
The program begins with a professional telephone solicitation. MPI sends all statements within 24 hours of the pledge. Utilizing the United States Postal Service adds credibility to the appeal and allows contributors the opportunity to learn more about NYSDA at their leisure. A toll-free number is also provided if there are additional questions or specific issues requiring personal attention.
Midwest Publishing Inc. is registered of the Office of Attorney General and detailed financial reports are forwarded to the State of New York on an annual basis. MPI has been a leading proponent on legislative issues that improve accountability and professionalism in all aspects of telemarketing. MPI has received awards for its outstanding work by the National Association of Police Organizations and numerous state wide law enforcement clients.
MPI has established itself as the leader in the tele-fundraising industry. It provides expertise and service to non-profit organizations that would be too costly or time consuming to conduct themselves. MPI is honored to have recently received an extension of its contract with the New York State Deputies Association, and will continue to communicate the group’s message and provide funding to their many worthwhile efforts.
Telephone solicitation is a time-consuming and expensive process. We have neither the facilities nor the personnel to conduct this type of operation. This type of work is best handled by those who do it professionally.
No, the caller is an employee of Midwest Publishing, Inc. If the call is made on behalf of NYSDA, one of the first things that the caller should provide is his/her name and the fact that he/she works for Midwest Publishing, Inc. calling on behalf of the NY State Deputies Association.
When searching for a fundraiser, we did not limit ourselves to companies based in New York State. MPI offered several protections that were important to us, and we ultimately chose them. They have offices in several different locations throughout the country, and calls may be made from any location based upon scheduling.
Why am I being told to send my contribution to a different address than the normal address for your organization?
The mailing address for contributions to NYSDA is 4736 Onondaga, Suite 205, Syracuse, NY 13219-3304. This address is used so that fundraising correspondence is sent directly to the appropriate representative, without requiring extensive forwarding by our officers and executive director..
Those who make contributions receive a window decal which may be put on a vehicle or place of business. MPI offers a $300 reward for information leading to the arrest of any person vandalizing a vehicle or business displaying the window decal.
I signed up for that list that is supposed to stop me from receiving telephone calls. Why is your organization still calling me?
The federal "Do Not Call Registry" does not apply to the type of fundraising done by NYSDA. However, MPI voluntarily maintained a “do not call” list long before this law took effect. Those who indicate a desire to be placed into MPI’s do-not-call list will not receive further calls from this organization.
You have several options. You can call 1-800-684-9945 and speak to a supervisor at MPI. You can also contact Tom Ross, Executive Director of NYSDA, by e-mail at tross1@rochester.rr.com or by phone at (585) 247-9322. You may contact any of the association officers listed on this web page.
The calling system is computerized and all solicitation calls are recorded. If you can provide us with the number that was called we can determine when the call was made, which employee made the call, and we can listen to the recording of the call. Any inappropriate conduct by persons calling on behalf of NYSDA will be dealt with appropriately.
If you desire, you may also contact the New York State Attorney General’s Office. They can be reached at 1-800-771-7755, or through their website at http://www.oag.state.ny.us/home.html
No. Though we are a not-for-profit organization, we are not a charitable organization.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a NYSDA representative.
Copyright © 2008, NYS Deputies Association