This writer was treated at two hospitals last year and they sent me requests for donations almost before I left their buildings. This is not meant as criticism of the hospitals, because demands for their services are increasing faster than the funding they receive from government.
But it underlines how commonly institutions serving the public are being forced to beg for funds. Asking for money is Ontario?s fastest-growing industry and concerns are growing it is too prevalent and aggressive.
My visits were for a minor treatment and tests, both were carried out efficiently and expeditiously. The hospitals? appeals were on good grounds and pressed the right buttons. One pleaded ?not long ago you needed us and we were there,? and the other ?help us do what we do best, providing health care to you and your loved ones in their hour of need.?
Hospitals, universities, theatres, symphony orchestras and groups sending kids to camp in Ontario and feeding those hungry in Africa are among the hundreds of non-profit organizations that employ professionals trained in the art of asking for cash.
At least two community colleges in Ontario teach fund-raising and their graduates are snapped up for jobs starting at $40,000-$50,000 a year. Fund-raisers? average pay according to some in the industry is $72,000 a year.
The public sector for some years has been forced to reveal its higher salaries and the highest paid were not hospitals? chief executives, although these are looked after handsomely, but their chief fundraisers. Forget about being a doctor or lawyer ? fundraising is a job to get your kids into.
In a recent advertisement, a fundraisers? association said someone trained in the field was lucky to find a paying job a few years ago, but today
theirs is ?a respected profession facing unprecedented growth.?
Fundraisers know who and how to approach. They press particularly older people, who often have or will have spare cash, to leave bequests in their wills and point out tax advantages, or suggest they give their homes to charity and obtain a tax credit, while being allowed to remain in them the rest of their lives.
One university hired a legendary advertising copywriter who dreamed up Ontario Liberal election ads and such catchy commercials as ?we care about the shape you?re in,? for Wonderbra, and ?Harvey?s makes a hamburger a wonderful thing.?
One concern is money available for donations may go to organizations with the slickest ads rather than the most deserving.
Big organizations also have advantages. A shelter for women may organize a lottery with a car as prize, but it cannot compete with a big hospital that offers 50 cars.
The University of Toronto set a goal of raising $1 billion to ensure it is recognized among the world?s finest and will lean on its own graduates. Does big money make a great university anyway?
The charities who were first off the mark to organize runs that raise funds may be hogging the field ? the public will give only a limited amount to runs for charity.
One hospital now hires canvassers who lobby office workers during their lunch breaks and some complain they intrude on their private time.
Others resent being phoned at home by eight different charities in a weekend or, after donating what they could afford to one, being pestered for more.
The concerns are at the point where they could produce demands for restrictions on fundraising, but government will be wary particularly because it could be asked to take over funding some of the worthy causes.
Eric Dowd is a veteran member of the Queen?s Park press gallery.
