We're good people, you're good people.

I'm Angela Duckworth.

I'm Stephen Dubner.

And you're listening to no stupid questions.

Today on the show, is it worth it for charities to harass and annoy potential donors?

Hey, we know it's a pain in the neck to get 18 letters a year.

Do you think we like having to send out that many letters?

Stephen, we have an email from a listener named Michelle.

Are you ready for it?

I'm ready.

Stephen and Angela, why are charities spending money to annoy their donors?

I like Michelle.

Michelle goes on to explain.

I haven't recent years made it a priority to donate more to charities I care about, but

didn't expect that one of the long-lasting repercussions is that I am now constantly

bombarded with junk mail.

Sometimes with a bunch of personalized address labels or other, quote, free stuff from multiple

charities multiple times a week.

This can't be a good use of their money, right?

Especially in the age of email.

In fact, I tend to donate again to charities who don't send me as much stuff because it makes

me feel like they are focusing their money and efforts on actually doing good work.

...