I always give places that are mostly run by volunteers a lot of leeway in any kind of acknowledgement. They are usually overwhelmingly busy, sometimes the person depositing the check is not the perspn writing notes and either person’s position could be part time or handled by more than one person. Communication and flow are sometimes not flawless. I’d give them more time before deciding they are being rude.

I agree with Oly. It would bother me, but I think sometimes they are overwhelmed, there isn't a dedicated thank-you letter writer, or they just thought someone else was taking care of it.

**The important thing is, your dad's wishes were fulfilled, and the organization so dear to his heart has been given a generous gift in his name. That's what matters most.

ETA: That's too generous a gift to be casual about. Somebody's asleep at the wheel.

Surely the Sr Ctr has a paid director and other paid staff who would be aware of the donation and also have known your dad I give them a fail on this ( unless the card got lost in mail ).

Paid staff? Maybe not, probably only minimal pay. I've been associated with senior centers, and not all have paid "staff". Give it up, don't look for a note. Sure, it would be nice, but the idea is that it was your father's gift. Move on.

It would bug me, and I think they will respond that it was somehow overlooked. That is a very generous gift and I’m certain they are truly appreciative.

I can't think of any place that I've dealt with that has ignored a donation. Sometimes we get emails, sometimes we get hand-written notes but I can't think of a time that a donation was ignored.

I like your idea of your email follow-up. If they drop the ball again, try to let it go. Although I hate that a relationship that meant a lot to your father might end in an unsatisfactory way.

How wonderful of your Dad to support these organizations.

My guess is that you did not hear back from your email right away because they are mortified to realize this slipped through. Most organizations know that it is important to get this right. I am sure they will given a second chance.

Again, sorry for your loss Sue.

It's been close to three months. That's more than enough time for even a volunteer-run organization to get it together enough to respond to your kind donation.

I know that this isn't a wish to be thanked. I know that your dad gave everything to the SC and particularly MOW while he was alive and it feels (at least to me) that it would have been wonderful if someone from there could have spent a few minutes on the phone or via email to let you know how special he was and how grateful they were for the donation.

(And their thank you didn't have to be as long as my last sentence.)

You're not being unreasonable. To snub you like that is hurtful.

You have every right to be offended. Ten thousand is a lot of money to be donated to a S.C., and if I was the director, I'd be jumping up and down with joy. If I was the lowly staff member who opened the envelope, I'd run to the director waving the check in the air.

Heck, I'm still offended I never received a thank you from my late brother and his wife when I paid for a week in the hotel they were staying at to be near their son who was in an accident. I'm offended I never received a thank you after my brother passed away and his widow was in a bad accident and coudn't work. I don't get it. Take your time, I don't care, but at least acknowledge someone helped you out.

Oh, they have paid staff. My dad was paid staff, after starting as a volunteer. Just sayin.

I didn’t expect a response to my email right away. But really at this point I want to ensure that the check got to them.

My original thought was along the same lines as Oly’s. And I haven’t been stewing about it day after day — it occurred to me after I got a note from the church, and again after I noticed (having just checked a couple of weeks ago) that the check had been cashed. Then today I thought about it again and felt annoyed, then a little worried, so I sent the email.

I’ll report back if I hear from them!

Sue, what wonderful contributions your Dad made with his time during his life and with his intentions after passing. If they had time to cash the check, they should have had time or made the time to send a note of appreciation. It's good you made contact today. It's something you should not have had to do. I hope they respond quickly and explain why the delay in acknowledging the donation.

Growing up, I always had to say thank you. There was never any leeway or delay. Just to let you know where I'm coming from. I understand organizations have limited help, but plenty of time has passed.

I hope you find out all is well and that someone expresses appreciation for your dad's bequest as well as his long service to the organization. I looked again at the dates you mentioned and it was received in August, high vacation time for both staff and volunteers...either they are just extremely slow (some organizations I give to take several months for thank yous - I wish I could make them stop sending them...I don't want their resources used to thank me).

They were lucky to have your dad in service for so long and for his generosity to them.

Regardless of whether or not an organization is run mostly by volunteers they are usually not the ones who make bank deposits. A paid worker read the letter and deposited the check. I’d be annoyed and they should be abjectly apologetic. That is a very generous gift, especially for an organization that is publicly funded and operates for people who don’t often have that kind of money to give. I hope they acknowledge the gift soon; although that’s not why he gave it it’s only decent that they say thank you, if only to prove he did the right thing leaving it in their hands.

Your dad was a fine man, Sue. ❤️

I will admit that I tend to be disappointed when I give a wedding or shower gift and I don't get any acknowledgement.

But a 10K donation? I would be beyond disappointed! Yes it would MORE than "bug" me. It takes so little effort to write a note, or make a phone call even!

Sadly, someone dropped the ball. Your Dad was indeed a fine man, Sue. Obviously, he was a blessing to the S.C. in many ways.

Unless it has changed,. charities are required by federal law to give written acknowledgements of any cash donations of $250 or more for income tax purposes. Most are pretty prompt, but I've seen delays. Is it possible a note was sent to your father's last address? Or gotten lost along the way. Did you get the cancelled check returned or look at am image from the bank to see how it was endorsed? Stranger things have happened, but I think 3 months is long enough to be asking.

Okay, all good. He emailed back and said a letter was sent to me (and he had correct address, so who knows what happened). He said he’s resending it, and that my dad’s name has been added to a memorial plaque in the office. I feel better now and my dad would be so proud to have his name on the plaque.

I’m so glad it turned out well. Love that your dad’s name will be on the plaque. ❤️

That is a great update-- even though I didnt respond yesterday, my heart ached a little for you. Your dad was a special man and I am glad he is being honored for his dedication and contributions over the years and for his donation.

What a generous man your father was and glad to read that they acknowledged the check and are putting his name on a plaque. Sometimes they do some sort of ceremony where they mount the plaque to a stone or bench. You may be invited to the ceremony acknowledging how wonderful your dad was. Maybe they were waiting for the plaque to be created

Your Dad certainly deserves a plaque, not only for his generous contribution but his many years of service. He surely made a positive impact on the lives of many. Glad to read this update--and yes, I would also have been concerned if I were in your shoes.

So happy to hear this positive update. Your dad's gift is sure to make an impact.

I'm glad to hear that it was well-received and acknowledged. I think a lot more mail than we are used to goes missing these days and we only know about it if there is a reason to. In the unlikely event the check had been cashed by someone other than the SC -- well, you needed to know that. As it turned out, it would have been a shame if you had not known about the plaque.

That's a really nice update.

Great news. Your dad sounds like a really generous man. So kind of him.

Sueb, I’m so happy to read the good news. It’s really good that you checked since apparently the letter was somehow lost in the mail. Seems to be a lot of that lately. It’s even a bonus that your sweet Dad is having his name added to a plaque.

I read this thread yesterday and I'm so happy to see the update.

Such a good thing that you reached out.