Non-profit Spam
I thought it was kind of weird when I got spam last week from Habitat for Humanity, so I e-mailed them directly. I let them know I got spam from a company claiming I signed up for their list - like they all do - though clearly I hadn't. I thought maybe Habitat was unaware they were doing business with spammers, though judging by the e-mail I got today, they probably do understand.

Hi,

Not sure if you are aware of this, but a company is sending out spam on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. I got the same e-mail twice yesterday - with the claim that I had signed up to receive offers from "The Platinum List."

I can forward the e-mail if you like. I'm assuming you're not the type of organization that would condone spam.

Cheers,

Amy


Dear Amy:

Thank you for inquiring about the e-mail that you received from Habitat for Humanity International. We are deeply committed to our relationships with supporters, homeowners, volunteers and potential supporters, so your concerns matter to us.

In an effort to expand our list of active supporters, we are looking for efficient and cost-effective ways of reaching people who want to help us build houses with families in need. E-mail is one of the most efficient distribution methods, and it allows us to put more resources toward building houses and improving lives.

To reach people in this economical way, we occasionally use the services of list providers to deliver e-mail on our behalf. Because we strongly oppose unsolicited e-mail, we work exclusively with firms that assure us they will send messages only to people who have agreed to receive this type of e-mail from them. The mailing that was sent to you came from one of these providers. While we are concerned that our message apparently was unwelcome, it did not result from a list we maintain and, for quickest results, we urge you to contact the sender of the e-mail directly.

We also will communicate your desire not to receive such e-mails to this vendor and to any others we may use in the future.

We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to communicate with us.

Sincerely,

Saranne Peacock
Partner Service Center
Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709
1-800-422-4828, Ext. 2939
publicinfo@hfhi.org

- posted by Amy @ 11/24/2003 04:59:00 PM