I recently explored RaiseRight as a potential fundraising platform for our nonprofit rescue organization. Unfortunately, my experience with one of their representatives, Donna Westhouse, was extremely disappointing.
During our conversation, I was informed that RaiseRight was researching the legitimacy of our nonprofit organization. I fully understand and support the need for due diligence when partnering with nonprofits. However, the manner in which the conversation was conducted was unnecessarily confrontational, suspicious, and disrespectful.
Nearly every question felt less like a routine verification process and more like an interrogation. Rather than approaching the conversation as a collaborative effort to understand our organization and mission, I felt as though I was being presumed guilty of wrongdoing and expected to prove otherwise. The tone was consistently curt, condescending, and accusatory.
At one point, I stopped the conversation and directly expressed that I did not appreciate the way I was being spoken to. Unfortunately, the interaction did not improve. As the representative of a legitimate 501(c)(3) rescue that works tirelessly to save dogs in need, I was surprised and disappointed by the lack of professionalism and respect shown throughout the discussion.
Nonprofits should absolutely expect to answer questions and provide documentation when necessary. What they should not expect is to be treated with suspicion, hostility, or a presumption of fraud simply because they are seeking to participate in a fundraising program.
I cannot speak to the effectiveness of RaiseRight’s fundraising platform itself, but my customer service experience was negative enough that I felt compelled to share it. Organizations looking to partner with RaiseRight deserve to know that professionalism and respectful communication may not always be part of the experience.