Listen—I know your plight.

I’ve defended you to my friends and coworkers for years. I’ve made the case that you work for righteous causes, that organizations like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU need to scrap for money however they can, that the urbanites who resent you striking up conversations in public (gasp!) would be the first to panic if the organizations you’re working for were to shut down for lack of funds.

But I can’t defend you anymore. You guys are like kudzu: everywhere, aggressive, invasive.

There are swarms of you nowadays—not just a sprinkle in front of Nordstrom like in the old days—but packs of you roaming downtown sidewalks, in neighborhoods at every major intersection, outside every damn grocery store. Your vests change depending on the charity of the day and there’s a different stack of paperwork on your clipboard, but your tactics are constant. “Do you have a second for the environment?” you ask in a friendly lilt. But then you don’t take no for an answer, you stalk people as they walk, you hector them from down the block, you become petulant if we don’t stop.

To be honest, I do have a second for the environment. I give money and time to Environment Washington—and to Planned Parenthood, PIRG, the DNC, and the ACLU. And I used to be a door-to-door canvasser myself. But the scores of mercenary canvassers—the ones who work for firms that simply switch uniforms to suit the charity of the day (red vests for the children, blue vests for the whales, green vests for MY MONEY)—who hassle me on the street aren’t getting another penny from me. So, actually, I do have a second for the environment; I just don’t have a second for you.

I don’t mean to be rude. You’re just doing your job. But there’s a reason you’re dubbed “chuggers” (charity muggers): Your increasing aggressiveness feels predatory. No means no—so stop asking. And to the folks at the charitable organizations that hire these canvassers: This fundraising tactic, the relentless street harassment, is now a liability to your own cause.

I’m done. And now when you approach me, street canvassers, I’m going to hand you a card.

Based on a similar card in Portland, it will explain why I’m not talking to you. We went ahead and made a .pdf of the cards so you could print them out at home (and we printed them in every copy of The Stranger) so folks can cut them out, carry them in their wallet or bag, and hand them to you. We mean well. And you do, too. But we’ve had it, street canvassers. Just stop. recommended

126 replies on “Dear Street Canvassers, Stop.”

  1. @93 is spot on. These guys are aggressive. I can’t walk to lunch without someone jumping in front of me trying to hand me a flyer. I don’t expect them to have perfect recall and remember the last time I said “no”, so maybe I need an opt-out card taped to my forehead.

    Obviously we can’t rely on common decency. So maybe we could pass a law that forbids certain behaviors for solicitors. Such a law should include, at least: do not move your body or limbs to interfere with someone’s direction of travel.

    Also, it might be a impossible to legislate, but I’d also like it if they would give up after I tell them “no” the first time. And please don’t interrupt the conversation I’m having with my friend.

  3. OK, I’ve read about half of these and first, what’s with all the hate on homeless people, and the assumption that they are “crazies” and “addicts”? Fuck, it’s called mental illness, addiction, and plain being down on your luck and is not related to the canvasser issue at all. At least in Ballard, the homeless folks are pretty much the same crew and they keep to themselves or sell real change. I could go on, but back to the canvassers- for those who thing it’s passive-aggressive, sometimes you get past the passive point when it’s a daily occurrence, like every time I walk down Market Street in Ballard to get a sandwich or take a work break. I HATE it when they target me from half a block away and wave and hog up the main intersection where after denying one person, there are two more waiting across the street for you. I don’t want to get to the aggressive stage of being angry with them, but I am a bit past the passive stage. I already alter my route to take a street north of Market. It seems they’d have better luck on weekends and not when the regular population who live and work in Ballard and just doing their daily thing. When did being passive aggressive become worse than being passive or aggressive??? And give me a break if you think this is a western Washington thing, it’s an American thing.

  4. I say give them a penny and demand a receipt for your donation, (the federal government now requires a receipt for all charitable donations no matter how small in order to write it off)

    Also, sick of Safeway asking me to donate to whatever that month’s charity is by rounding up my change. If Safeway wants to donate some of it’s corporate profits, by all means. Have at it. I, however, have my own charities that I care about and budget for, and even if it’s “only 36 cents” I don’t care. You’re not even matching it, and it’s not what I’m there for. This goes for all stores that try to get my money for charity at the check out counter.

  5. one ignorant person put up a false statement and no one bothered to look it up. no fundraiser out there gets 90% of your donation. and if you look into any organization, they all put away some money for fundraising. you may not the face to face but some people do. don’t ruin it for them.

  6. one ignorant person posted a false comment and no one bothered to make sure it was true. no fundraiser on the street earns 90% of what the donor gives. and if you check into any organization, they all put away a small percentage for fundraising. you may not like face to face, but they are reaching out to a huge group of great people. don’t ruin it for them.

  7. This is silly. People like charity, and the people who like giving to affect people like people. Having a person to present the charity is a lovely way to get involved particularly because heart to heart face to face is a stellar way to have these orgs presented. Familiar or not it’s an opportunity to get involved and nobody has to stop or do it but those that want to get to in a savvy, cost efficient, plesant and personal way. These NGOs invest innthis medium of fundraisig actually because it’s the MOST cost efficient method of fundraising. Be powerful, stop if u want, don’t f u don’t. Enjoy the fact that you get to 🙂 not all cities in America have this resource. (face to face street fundraising) And not all nations have toilets to flush or clean water to drink. I love learning about charities, do not love junk mail and think fundraisers are an asset & that probably we can all e respectful

  8. i keep reading “yes but they’re still essentially taking money away from the charity.” this isn’t true. all fundraising costs money. even if you’ve got a bunch of volunteers with jars, somebody had to buy the jars. canvassing has an aim of a 3:1 return on investment within an allotted amount of time. Usually 5 years or so. it takes money in the short term, and then triples it in the long.

    Also. Apologies for anyone who’s ever been aggressive with you. If you need to tell us to fuck off, or hand out a card, or spit or what have you. That’s fine. Sometimes things like being asked repeatedly to talk about an issue can be annoying. I’m not being passive aggressive. I really do understand.

    I would just ask that you try to be cool about it. It sounds weird saying something like this, but many of you probably have friends that canvass. These consultancies employ a lot of people. Do your best to treat the strangers with clipboards the way you’d treat a close friend who happened to be a canvasser. Be respectful, regardless of their behavior, and either move on or listen. It’s fine either way.

    I’ve had a lot of friends who’ve groaned when i tell them what i do, but many over time have come to be a lot kinder to folks that canvass just because they know that i’m a reasonable, generous, level headed person. if i’m out there, then they probably should be nice to the whole lot, because they wouldn’t want to be shitty to someone who could possibly be me (that whole sentence sounds super arrogant. my apologies).

    i know. fuck off canvassers. leave me the fuck alone. i know. feel free to say it directly into my face. it’s a free country. i’m going to keep working though. i might as well try and help while im young and able bodied. also a fuck off or a sneer or even a punch in the gut isn’t nearly as bad as dying from cholera. so i’ll probably be ok.

    anywho. big fan of the stranger and free papers in general. from chicago and we have one here called the reader. it’s nice. shouts out to city pages in minneapolis and all the other free rags. thanks for keeping writers writing. if there’s ever a canvass for people who write for free papers, i promise i’ll give my $15 a month.

  9. i keep reading “yes but they’re still essentially taking money away from the charity.” this isn’t true. all fundraising costs money. even if you’ve got a bunch of volunteers with jars, somebody had to buy the jars. canvassing has an aim of a 3:1 return on investment within an allotted amount of time. Usually 5 years or so. it takes money in the short term, and then triples it in the long.

    Also. Apologies for anyone who’s ever been aggressive with you. If you need to tell us to fuck off, or hand out a card, or spit or what have you. That’s fine. Sometimes things like being asked repeatedly to talk about an issue can be annoying. I’m not being passive aggressive. I really do understand.

    I would just ask that you try to be cool about it. It sounds weird saying something like this, but many of you probably have friends that canvass. These consultancies employ a lot of people. Do your best to treat the strangers with clipboards the way you’d treat a close friend who happened to be a canvasser. Be respectful, regardless of their behavior, and either move on or listen. It’s fine either way.

    I’ve had a lot of friends who’ve groaned when i tell them what i do, but many over time have come to be a lot kinder to folks that canvass just because they know that i’m a reasonable, generous, level headed person. if i’m out there, then they probably should be nice to the whole lot, because they wouldn’t want to be shitty to someone who could possibly be me (that whole sentence sounds super arrogant. my apologies).

    i know. fuck off canvassers. leave me the fuck alone. i know. feel free to say it directly into my face. it’s a free country. i’m going to keep working though. i might as well try and help while im young and able bodied. also a fuck off or a sneer or even a punch in the gut isn’t nearly as bad as dying from cholera. so i’ll probably be ok.

    anywho. big fan of the stranger and free papers in general. from chicago and we have one here called the reader. it’s nice. shouts out to city pages in minneapolis and all the other free rags. thanks for keeping writers writing. if there’s ever a canvass for people who write for free papers, i promise i’ll give my $15 a month.

  10. 107-

    if you see the same people on a daily basis, why not make a new friend with a fundraiser instead of being a condescending bitch? that way, you’ll have real humans to complain to instead of queefing your first world problems all over the internet! “oh, you’re actually awesome! previously i had to walk an entire extra block to avoid talking to you about doing something AWESOME so i could go get my sandwich!”

    as for seattle’s lunatic wet brain population, it blows my mind that people have sympathy for addicts and people who are “just down on their luck!” what a sick guilt complex.

    however, you can not stand people who are gainfully employed who have a direct impact on things like your reproductive system (you’re welcome!), disaster relief (you’re welcome!), people in the developing world who don’t have alternate routes to sandwiches to bitch about (YOU’RE WELCOME!), your civil liberties (YOU’RE WELCOME!), etc.

    get oooooooooover yourself.

  11. WOW. You guys can’t be serious. I am ashamed as an American to read this article.

    As a person from seattle who’s signed up for EVERY charity i donate to on the street because of my good experiences and my research of their efficiency, you mr holden, make me laugh and want to punch you in the face at the same time.You are a very small percentage of seattle. this is the most generous city in the USA. Most people i know who donate have done so on the street very happily and have been proud supporters for years both of our local fundraisers, their passion, and their causes, and I happily greet them when I see them.

    There are street canvassers out there who are actually really fun and respectful, I talk to them regularly.
    They’re non-comissioned and most of them fully support their cause and don’t treat you badly no matter what, you’re just blowing up your frustration. How is it such a progressive city has people lumping all professionals into one category, i’m so sorry to burst your bubble guys but there are bad businessman and supreme ones in every field. And every one of you who is going to refuse to talk to ANY street rep because of bad experiences, u obviously are not serious about wanting to help anyway and will use this as a crutch rather then telling the aggressive ones to fuck off and listening to the respectful and RESPECTED ones. Some of these issues are actually very pressing, and we can do our part to solve them, but we also should choose wisely which charities and fundraising companies to support. That’s my thought on street fundraisers.

    I actually looked up the way the non-commissioned fundraising companies work, they have a zero tolerance policy for rude behavior, and these guys never cost the charity money, in fact they bring in more help than any other type of fundraising. use your head, if they did do you think a NON-PROFIT would have them out on the street as representation? COME ON. I don’t however support the commissioned fundraisers, their companies do actually cost the charity money.

    So mr. holden Way to encourage a healthy society, way to battle passive aggressive bs with a coupon, that’s not passive aggressive at all. do u feel your balls shrinking? i think u announced the answer to that yourself in your stinkin article. yes. some are fundraisers are good and some are bad. so how dare you try to speak for all of seattle just because you can’t stand up for yourself. take your own passive aggressive bs and eat it. that’s putting it nicely. u wanted to battle aggression with aggression.

    Meanwhile, I will continue to support the people who do their job well in representing a cause i support, because they are sent out there BY THAT CHARITY precisely to talk to the people who do give a shit. I will continue to tell the assholes to fuck off, and address the problem where it matters, just like in any other situation. I encourage the rest of the WORLD, not just this city, to do the same. Please don’t shun an entire organization/cause because of a personal day-to-day discomfort that can easily be overcome. That’s just so so selfish. and petty. and you’re a jackass and a sheep if you do.

    To all of you who are upset or feel misinformed- do your research and grow a pair. u live in the land of the free.

    And to you mr. holden, next time you deal with a shitty fundraiser, find out who their employer is, contact said employer AND the charity, and DO something productive about it.
    Don’t you dare try to represent the good people of seattle with the very passive aggressive, hindering bullshit that u bothered to complain about, the well-mannered fundraisers are good people just like us to take the job very seriously actually make a huge positive change for the charity that hired them, so you are also saying you won’t support their number one way of sustainability. Congratulations, you are a hypocrite and it bothers me that u even live in my beloved city. You obviously just wanted to complain, and didn’t really want to solve the problem. You have lost any respect I could have had for you as an individual, and i know I’m not the only one who’s pissed you opened your mouth and threw up rather than being constructive. way to go. And you, Stranger, i used to respect your newspaper, lately I’ve seen more and more self-centered emotional bitching articles that I wish I hadn’t taken the time to read. This one takes the cake.

  12. WOW. You guys can’t be serious. I am ashamed as an American to read this article.

    As a person from seattle who’s signed up for EVERY charity i donate to on the street because of my good experiences and my research of their efficiency, you mr holden, make me laugh and want to punch you in the face at the same time.You are a very small percentage of seattle. this is the most generous city in the USA. Most people i know who donate have done so on the street very happily and have been proud supporters for years both of our local fundraisers, their passion, and their causes, and I happily greet them when I see them.

    There are street canvassers out there who are actually really fun and respectful, I talk to them regularly.
    They’re non-comissioned and most of them fully support their cause and don’t treat you badly no matter what, you’re just blowing up your frustration. How is it such a progressive city has people lumping all professionals into one category, i’m so sorry to burst your bubble guys but there are bad businessman and supreme ones in every field. And every one of you who is going to refuse to talk to ANY street rep because of bad experiences, u obviously are not serious about wanting to help anyway and will use this as a crutch rather then telling the aggressive ones to fuck off and listening to the respectful and RESPECTED ones. Some of these issues are actually very pressing, and we can do our part to solve them, but we also should choose wisely which charities and fundraising companies to support. That’s my thought on street fundraisers.

    I actually looked up the way the non-commissioned fundraising companies work, they have a zero tolerance policy for rude behavior, and these guys never cost the charity money, in fact they bring in more help than any other type of fundraising. use your head, if they did do you think a NON-PROFIT would have them out on the street as representation? COME ON. I don’t however support the commissioned fundraisers, their companies do actually cost the charity money.

    So mr. holden Way to encourage a healthy society, way to battle passive aggressive bs with a coupon, that’s not passive aggressive at all. do u feel your balls shrinking? i think u announced the answer to that yourself in your stinkin article. yes. some are fundraisers are good and some are bad. so how dare you try to speak for all of seattle just because you can’t stand up for yourself. take your own passive aggressive bs and eat it. that’s putting it nicely. u wanted to battle aggression with aggression.

    Meanwhile, I will continue to support the people who do their job well in representing a cause i support, because they are sent out there BY THAT CHARITY precisely to talk to the people who do give a shit. I will continue to tell the assholes to fuck off, and address the problem where it matters, just like in any other situation. I encourage the rest of the WORLD, not just this city, to do the same. Please don’t shun an entire organization/cause because of a personal day-to-day discomfort that can easily be overcome. That’s just so so selfish. and petty. and you’re a jackass and a sheep if you do.

    To all of you who are upset or feel misinformed- do your research and grow a pair. u live in the land of the free.

    And to you mr. holden, next time you deal with a shitty fundraiser, find out who their employer is, contact said employer AND the charity, and DO something productive about it.
    Don’t you dare try to represent the good people of seattle with the very passive aggressive, hindering bullshit that u bothered to complain about, the well-mannered fundraisers are good people just like us to take the job very seriously actually make a huge positive change for the charity that hired them, so you are also saying you won’t support their number one way of sustainability. Congratulations, you are a hypocrite and it bothers me that u even live in my beloved city. You obviously just wanted to complain, and didn’t really want to solve the problem. You have lost any respect I could have had for you as an individual, and i know I’m not the only one who’s pissed you opened your mouth and threw up rather than being constructive. way to go. And you, Stranger, growing up i used to respect your newspaper and it’s sharp progressive opinions, lately I’ve seen more and more self-centered emotional bitching articles that I wish I hadn’t taken the time to read. This one takes the cake.

  13. Yeah! Lets print out stuff on paper that espouses our view on a controversial issue and then give it out to people who dont want it. Wait, that is what the canvassers are doing in the first place. Talk about a lame ass, eye for an eye philosophy applied to something as ridiculous as dealing with canvassers. Get a fucking grip and stop wasting paper. Say “no thanks” and move the fuck on. Jesus christ. This idea fucking sucks.

  16. @The Wretched Harmony: You’re playing with a straw man here. No one said the alternative was to give the money to bums who may use it for drugs. The alternative the author proposed was to give the money directly to organizations you support, instead of to the chuggers.

  18. @45 HAHA Shay is one of my best friends. It may help (or not) you to know that Shay is the top sponsorship salesman in that company in the nation. He sold me.

  19. I like the pdf, it makes the point, in a nice way. The panhandlers in bright pink (cough) Planned Parenthood. They work two on the street, block the the sidewalk, and jump in front of you so you can’t pass by. These aggressive tactics really beyond annoying. That little card is totally appropriate!

  20. I think the misconception here is that rejecting a canvasser = rejecting charitable donations. Not so.

    When I ignore a canvasser or tell them “no thanks,” I’m rejecting invasive, objectionable, high-pressure sales tactics. I’m rejecting making snap decisions about handing over personal information and/or money to a random stranger on the street. If I choose to give to a charity or support a cause I can do that all on my own, without being heckled by a canvasser.

    Also, a lot of these people’s tactics do border on street harassment. Putting your hands on someone? Blocking their path? Following them down the street? Fundraising for charity does not make any of those things okay.

  21. this is called a white person problem..”i can’t believe people are trying to do something that is inherently good, can’t they see I’m watching netflix on my ipod!” Grow up, man. Do you realize how silly you sound? Here’s what you sound like, you sound like an infant. Who cares, just say you don’t want to talk, they’re trying and succeeding at getting FOOD into EMPTY STOMACHS.

  22. Some of the charities, like Children inernational, over 80% of funding goes to programs. So when people comment on here and say that 10% goes to the charity, its dishonest and harmful and potentially going to deprive someone from food or water, it’s that simple. this is called a white person problem..”i can’t believe people are trying to do something that is inherently good, can’t they see I’m watching netflix on my ipod!” Grow up, man. Do you realize how silly you sound? Here’s what you sound like, you sound like an infant. Who cares, just say you don’t want to talk, they’re trying and succeeding at getting FOOD into EMPTY STOMACHS.

  23. Canvassing is the most cost effective way to raise money! Why does everyone automatically believe #3’s post is an accurate depiction of fund allocation, do your own research you trolls! A large reason charities exist is because of grass roots movements!

  25. WHY DOES EVERYONE ON HERE ACCEPT THE STATISTICS GIVEN BY POSTERS AS TRUE, NON PROFITS PAY FUNDRAISERS, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD HAVE NO FUNDS, THE FUNDRAISERS NEED JOBS SO THEY DON”T HAVE TO WORK FOR THE SOULLESS CORPORATIONS THAT ARE CAUSING POVERTY, THE FUNDRAISERS MUST MEET A QUOTA AND MAKE THE CHARITY MONEY, WHY WOULD A CHARITY PAY PEOPLE TO LOSE THEM MONEY THAT IS RIDICULOUS DO RESEARCH…

    ALSO, NOT ALL CANVASSING ORGS ARE THE SAME, A LOT OF THEM GIVE ALMOST ALL THE MONEY THEY RAISE TO THE CHARITY AND ONLY KEEP ENOUGH MONEY to ALLOW THEMSELVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP STAYING ON THE STREET RAISING MONEY, DO YOU THINK THE KID WHO GETS WATER AS A RESULT OF THESE PEOPLE GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOUR EMOTIONAL DISCOMFORT AT HAVING TO SAY NO TO A PERSON ON THE STREET, THIS IS ABSURD AND A PERFECT EXPRESSION OF OUR SOCIETY AND ITS SELFISH LACK OF EMPATHY TOWARDS ITS FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. WOW

  26. Children’s International is the worst. Who out there who works in Westlake has not been bothered by Shay? I already work for a non-profit and donate regularly to help children. I explained this to Shay and asked him for more information on his charity. He refused to provide any and continued to bother me, after I’d said no many times. Why would I donate money to something I know nothing about? I now change my route or go somewhere else for lunch when I see him on the street, because he continues to bother me.

    It only takes a few bad apples to ruin the bunch – Children International canvassers are aggressive, rude, and pushy. I will NEVER give them money. There are better ways to help children in need.

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