The good thing about DWB
Posted by Russ  |  May 18, 2009 6:30:21 AM

is that they act to remove acute, immediate suffering.

Charities which seek to influence government policy and action are beginning to annoy me. They do not produce results because many governments are essentially inert, ineffective, and inured to human suffering. DWB alleviates suffering at the scene. Tre bien, DWB!

Unneccesary complaints
Posted by S.Ashley  |  March 1, 2009 10:44:45 PM

For your information, it is BAD for a charity to overspend (See explanation on the Tips&Resources link of Charity Navigator). MSF is an emergency relief program - it needs a surplus so that it can be prepared to respond to unexpected situations immediately. Those who complain about too many mailings should tell MSF they do not want to receive them, and focus more on the work that MSF does. MSF does not accept government funding, so it relies on private donations. That is one reason why it relies on mailings more than other organizations - it needs to constantly remind private donors to stay involved. They will be happy to cut costs and stop mailing you at your request.

Reducing mailings
Posted by S.Ashley  |  March 1, 2009 10:43:50 PM

Those who are concerned about the mailings they receive or who accidentally receive multiple mailings can let MSF know by visiting the website:

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/contact/

And selecting "mailings" in the subject line of the email contact menu

Why do you have a surplus?
Posted by masadi  |  January 13, 2009 1:13:53 PM

The first thing I look for before contributing is whether this charity carries a surplus year to year or not. If it is carrying a surplus then your money is not needed. I sent a letter to doctors without borders after having contributed for years on why they were carrying a huge surplus year to year and still soliciting funds and never received a reply. Needless to say I quit contributing. Africare has a negative balance meaning they are spending more on their work than this charity so I would contribute to them before this one.

Mailings
Posted by Bakers  |  December 23, 2008 3:56:25 AM

We called once requesting that they don't send us any mailing, as we donate once a year regardless of their mailing. Soon after, we received a confirmation letter and no more mailings. This is one of the VERY BEST charities out there!

MSF in Eastern Chad
Posted by Eye Witness  |  December 22, 2008 6:41:10 AM

They are probably doing the best work in Eastern Chad. Medical support for Chadians and Darfurians would not exist if it were not for the people at MSF. The area is highly volatile but even in the border town Adre you can find MSF doing good work. Having seen many charity's working in the area, MSF to me is accomplishing the most. More people should learn about their RUF campaign. "Ready To Use Foods" It would be awesome to see it implemented by the World Food Programme but they aren't moving fast enough... Then again the WFP is not as efficient as MSF.

Mailings Info
Posted by patdart  |  December 19, 2008 5:21:37 AM

I read about the way to prevent too much mail and wrote them last night protesting and requesting only one mail per year or I would quit contributing. This came today... "Per your request, we have applied a preference to your account with us for just one mailing per year. As our mailings are processed well in advance of being sent, we do just ask that you allow 6-8 weeks for this request to take effect.

Also, a preference for no exchange of information has been applied to your account with us as of today. This will completely protect the privacy of your personal information, which will not be shared with any third-parties."

So, it can be done!

Doctors Without Borders
Posted by mp  |  December 15, 2008 6:57:12 AM

I made a donation to Doctors Without Borders after a tsunami. I received a letter from DWB teling me that they had received the money they would need for that particular campaign. They offered to return my donation but said they hoped I would allow them to use the money elsewhere. I was very impressed and have been a regular donor since then. I contrast that with the blood drives that went on for weeks after 9/11 to help the victimes....which were really for regular blood donation needs...its is even more impressive

mailings from St. Jude
Posted by wilson  |  December 8, 2008 6:42:44 AM

Too many mailings with color photos, greeting cards, calendars, photo albums of sick children, and all look very expensively done -- I wish they'd spend that money on the kids. Too much!

fundraising mailings
Posted by elw  |  December 4, 2008 11:11:27 AM

I hate the excess mailings too, so for years now I've been sending a "form letter" to charities with my check telling them I will not support them in the future if I get excess mailings. I keep track (easy - just throw all the letters in a file until the next year) and follow up with a second letter the next year either saying thanks for limiting the mailings or sorry but you don't get my money this year because...

Some of the charities will put you on an "annual appeal" list, and just send you one letter. It actually does work - sometimes!

Work
Posted by Wendy  |  December 4, 2008 8:13:51 AM

I became a Field Partner with DWB/MSF after attending an event hosted by Anderson Cooper several years ago in NYC. I learned because MSF is a non-governmental, neutral organization they can help even in the most politically challenged conflicts, where government or state agencies can or will not help. They address the most immediate and desperate humanitarian crises, and are often the first aid available to many war-torn areas. Winners of the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize, I wholeheartedly feel there are few other charities that could put my donation to better use.

value
Posted by Nita1  |  October 23, 2008 10:46:03 AM

I contribute to Doctors Without Borders because of their 4-star rating, the fact that they don't pay their CEO the outrageous salaries that other "charities" pay their executives, and also because they have a privacy policy that states they will not resell my name. Of course, I'd like fewer mailings, but at least all the mailings are from DWB, and not from 20 other charities to whom they have sold my name. It is very hard to find an effective charity that doesn't spend outrageous amounts on fundraising and administrative expenses...but Doctors Without Borders, although not perfect, is among the best I can find.

Mailings
Posted by Joyce  |  August 15, 2008 10:37:14 AM

I think they send out mailings too often, and I am refusing to donate to organizations who send out unsolicited labels, calendars, etc. They should spend that money on their mission.

just opt out
Posted by mok_mok  |  August 14, 2008 6:09:31 AM

I agree with the excessive mailing, postal and electronic, by most charities, including this one. I got so tired of it, I went to every charity's website, looked up the privacy agreement, and emailed every single one requesting opt out. Doctors w/o Borders promptly removed me and I haven't gotten anything since. I wish there's a checkbox that will allow me to opt out when I donate online. I just donated again, and I hope my previous opt-out request holds. But don't let the mailing deter you, just make the extra effort to opt out and you'll be set.

About the Map
Posted by GatoCat  |  August 11, 2008 6:20:50 AM

I'll agree with the others; lose the map. I received my first mailing from DWB today. Included in the literature was the claim of a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator. I promptly came to check. I'm impressed, and my donation will be because of their work and organizational skills. The map will go in a drawer with all the ones from National Geographic. It has no bearing whatsoever on my decision to donate, and it cost could have been better used.

I don't need posters
Posted by NancyT  |  July 28, 2008 6:12:57 AM

All I need is a receipt. I keep track of their good works on my own. DWB, USA, I hope you see these comments and do less mailings; use the money for your good deeds. Thanks.

Too Much Mail
Posted by Jack  |  May 12, 2008 5:38:33 AM

I support the organization but I agree they and other charities spend too much on mailing. 95% of my mail is charities that I have donated to.

the work...
Posted by TeffieZ  |  April 10, 2008 10:28:44 AM

so much for the mailing issue... what about the work done?

received mailing
Posted by Tankersmom  |  March 24, 2008 5:45:58 AM

I'll balance the discussion with this thought. I'd made a mental note to check the status of Doctors w/o Borders as I've seen their work on the news, but never got around to it. Today I received their mailing and was prompted to check this site and contribute. Their mailings work.

map
Posted by Mark1  |  March 20, 2008 5:37:39 AM

Got the map also, but only one, with lots of informative info printed on the back. They are a fine organization.

Mailings
Posted by Amy  |  January 18, 2008 6:44:29 AM

I had the same excessive mailings problem with Doctors w/o Borders, though I've found many charities do the same. I called Doctors and asked to be taken off the mailing list. The response was prompt, courteous and effective. Just make the call.

Fund raising letter
Posted by William  |  January 9, 2008 6:12:00 AM

I agree with Reloa, I get 2-3 of the same mailing...

Fundraising
Posted by Reola  |  December 29, 2007 6:50:36 AM

Would not need to spend as much for fundraising if they kept better track of their mailing list. I have received exactly the same mailing four times, each one with the same world map. Please, save the map money for doing the work you purport to do!