American Battlefield Trust.

[major bill]

Because one of the Civil War Round Tables I attend will meet on Zoom this year it will not collect dues this year. This means our yearly donation to American Battlefield Trust (ex Civil War Trust) will not happen. Because we are not paying dues, I was giving some thought of using the money saved from not paying dues to make a donate to the American Battlefield Trust. One of my worries is that I will get hounded with additional donation requests. What are forum members experience? Do forum members find the Hallowed Ground magazines interesting?

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

The American Battlefield Trust and St. Jude's are the only two organizations that I donate to. The magazine is very interesting too.

 

[Jamieva]

Because one of the Civil War Round Tables I attend will meet on Zoom this year it will not collect dues this year. This means our yearly donation to American Battlefield Trust (ex Civil War Trust) will not happen. Because we are not paying dues, I was giving some thought of using the money saved from not paying dues to make a donate to the American Battlefield Trust. One of my worries is that I will get hounded with additional donation requests. What are forum members experience? Do forum members find the Hallowed Ground magazines interesting?

Well worth it. They typically only email when they are doing fundraising for specific tracts.

 

[John Winn]

I often find the magazine interesting. While they do send me requests a number of times a year I wouldn't call it "hounding." But if you don't like to get any mail of that sort then I suppose it could be problematic for you. I'm a long-time supporter.

 

[major bill]

I often find the magazine interesting. While they do send me requests a number of times a year I wouldn't call it "hounding." But if you don't like to get any mail of that sort then I suppose it could be problematic for you. I'm a long-time supporter.

My wife donates off and on. Once she donates we get two or more daily mail donation requests for the group or similar groups. If she adds our Email we can count of five or more daily Emails about donations. So if she donates to two charities we can get 4 to 8 donation letters per day and more Email requests. I also get at least two text messages per day and about one or more daily phone calls. Add these to sales pitches we are looking at eight or more pieces of mail daily, 12 or more email donation requests or sales pitches and perhaps between us and a total of eight phone calls. I returned from a three day trip to Gettysburgs Sunday and deleted over 100 Emails for donations or sales pitches. It can get a bit much.

 

[John Winn]

My wife donates off and on. Once she donates we get two or more daily mail donation requests for the group or similar groups. If she adds our Email we can count of five or more daily Emails about donations. So if she donates to two charities we can get 4 to 8 donation letters per day and more Email requests. I also get at least two text messages per day and about one or more daily phone calls. Add these to sales pitches we are looking at eight or more pieces of mail daily, 12 or more email donation requests or sales pitches and perhaps between us and a total of eight phone calls. I returned from a three day trip to Gettysburgs Sunday and deleted over 100 Emails for donations or sales pitches. It can get a bit much.

Wow - that's really bad. I don't give out my email address except when I have to and am way more protective of my phone number. And I'm picky about where I donate, too (mostly local places; the Trust is the exception). All I can say is that I get maybe four or five pieces of mail from the Trust a year; that's it. Kind of sounds like what you're getting is from other places that have shared your information (why I don't share mine and have minimal on-line presence).

I doubt donating to the Trust would increase your traffic much but who knows these days. I just don't think they're the kind of organization that would bombard you with email or ever call you on the phone (but don't quote me as I didn't give them that information). Roll the dice I guess.

That said, they are a highly-rated organization and always have the highest ratings by groups that track charitable organizations.

 

[Belfoured]

My wife donates off and on. Once she donates we get two or more daily mail donation requests for the group or similar groups. If she adds our Email we can count of five or more daily Emails about donations. So if she donates to two charities we can get 4 to 8 donation letters per day and more Email requests. I also get at least two text messages per day and about one or more daily phone calls. Add these to sales pitches we are looking at eight or more pieces of mail daily, 12 or more email donation requests or sales pitches and perhaps between us and a total of eight phone calls. I returned from a three day trip to Gettysburgs Sunday and deleted over 100 Emails for donations or sales pitches. It can get a bit much.

The ABT is less obsessive about that in my experience. They do frequently send out mailings but those are almost always accompanied by a great Steve Stanley map which is worth collecting. The magazine is very good. And I find their alerts useful because often I wouldn't know about a worthwhile preservation project otherwise. And on emails, that's where "delete" comes in handy.

 

[bdtex]

My wife donates off and on. Once she donates we get two or more daily mail donation requests for the group or similar groups. If she adds our Email we can count of five or more daily Emails about donations. So if she donates to two charities we can get 4 to 8 donation letters per day and more Email requests. I also get at least two text messages per day and about one or more daily phone calls. Add these to sales pitches we are looking at eight or more pieces of mail daily, 12 or more email donation requests or sales pitches and perhaps between us and a total of eight phone calls. I returned from a three day trip to Gettysburgs Sunday and deleted over 100 Emails for donations or sales pitches. It can get a bit much.

Emails and phone numbers can be blocked. You can also unsubscribe from emails.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

One of my worries is that I will get hounded with additional donation requests.

The reality is if you donate to any nonprofit they will be asking you for more money at least once a year.

Statistically-speaking, donating in the past is the strongest indicator you will donate today.

Some people make annual donations the same time every year, but there are a fair number of people that donate only when asked. Some need the reminder. Others seem to want to evaluate the quality of the appeal.

 

[redbob]

My concern with them is that they have now become focused on all wars fought on American soil and not just the Civil War. I just wonder how much of the money goes to the Civil War.

 

[bdtex]

My concern with them is that they have now become focused on all wars fought on American soil and not just the Civil War. I just wonder how much of the money goes to the Civil War.

That's why I only donate to specific battlefield acreage acquisition solicitations.

 

[Belfoured]

My concern with them is that they have now become focused on all wars fought on American soil and not just the Civil War. I just wonder how much of the money goes to the Civil War.

That's actually a good thing from my point of view - obviously a matter of opinion, but some of those properties are just as significant to our history and they get far less publicity than several of the Civil War fields - especially the War of 1812. And we're really talking 95% about that war and the AWI. As I said, it's just an opinion. Judging from the requests I get, they're still primarily focused on the ACW.

 

[Jamieva]

My concern with them is that they have now become focused on all wars fought on American soil and not just the Civil War. I just wonder how much of the money goes to the Civil War.

Like @bdtex said just join at the lowest level which is $35 then contribute to drives for tracts or battlefields that interest you. That is what I do, I usually only contribute for Virginia sites. Also, read how much the match is cause that will help you magnify your contribution.

If you end up giving over $100 for the year you will get invited to sunset tours in the summer which takes you onto properties that they preserved. I got to go to the Slaughter Pen farm and Jackson's flank march this summer and I contributed towards properties in both of these.

 

[CWdiaryPA]

I only donate anonymously when I can donate at all (animal sanctuaries), & even then I use a burner email & never give my number or address out. But I imagine at some donation levels tax breaks might be a factor. A tip: have a separate email address for all things donation-related, & a P.O. box.

 

[Sheltowee]

New member to BT- I haven't really been hounded. This last magazine had a great article on Morgan's Ohio Raid.

As far as unsubscribing to unwanted emails, I tried with Southern Living. I believe I just affirmed to them that someone actually notices their mailings. Southern Living spam has not decreased one iota.

Guess I can try to block now…… or maybe I'll start emailing them every day!

 

[Paul Yancey]

I always find the magazine to contain interesting articles. IMO, ABT is a well run outfit and they often work with local preservation organizations to preserve the battlefields. I am grateful for the efforts of these groups to preserve our heritage for our own and future generations. For me, it is money well spent.

 

[David Knight]

I have an old e-mail address that no longer exists, provider closed down, but websites still accept it as a legitimate e-mail so I use it if I do not want to get e-mails. They simply go to the old account and rebound to the sender. The more they send the more they get back.

 

[Pollaco]

The American Battlefield Trust and St. Jude's are the only two organizations that I donate to. The magazine is very interesting too.

As a rule I only give to charitable organizations that don't have alot of needless "board members". I don't mind giving to a good cause but I don't like the idea of paying padded salaries. Alot of the work should be volunteer anyway it they are truly charitable. Operating costs are one thing but salaries shouldn't count over 10% overall. Do you know how much of American Battlefield Trust contributions actually goes for land acquisition and not some fat cats salary?

 

[Belfoured]

As a rule I only give to charitable organizations that don't have alot of needless "board members". I don't mind giving to a good cause but I don't like the idea of paying padded salaries. Alot of the work should be volunteer anyway it they are truly charitable. Operating costs are one thing but salaries shouldn't count over 10% overall. Do you know how much of American Battlefield Trust contributions actually goes for land acquisition and not some fat cats salary?

Without diving into that research, for me one critical factor is the leverage an organization has to generate funds, given the high costs of acquiring/getting restrictive agreements, etc for these tracts. ABT has shown the ability to raise a lot of money, to partner with other groups, and to negotiate deals. Its track record of accomplishments is impressive. Two great examples are the large, critical tracts that they saved at Perryville and Glendale.

 

[Jamieva]

@redbob I just did my annual renewal today. When you sign up it says your phone number is optional. They do ask for your email address but right below it is a box to uncheck if you wish to not get emails