One a week? Wow. I can see where that would be annoying. I've had about four in the past 15 months. #1 Well respected colleague who could reasonably assume (based on other accolades) that people would want to honor her started a campaign around her birthday. I gave. #2 The next year she did the same. I didn't give, but I didn't think any less of her. #3, #4 - Online acquaintances sent out requests through Facebook that were obviously inappropriate. One rescinded the request as soon as she realized what had happened. [She/I are of an age where the application's asking for $1/year meant that the request was for more than I spend on a gift for my mother. I took that as a clue that the request had "escaped" and wasn't a serious campaign.] I may have blocked the application so I haven't seen other requests -- or perhaps other friends are more careful. But in any event, I wouldn't think the less of the charity in question because of how someone tried to raise money for them. I do agree that Changing the Present (where the donor takes the initiative) is a more helpful model.