Same thing. Many calls and only hangups, no messages. Tired of all the calls and want them to stop. One time I go to the symphony and a barrage of calls is what I get? Not interested...very poor choice of agencies.
To everyone who just lets the phone ring as opposed to answering it, well - answer it! They WILL keep calling because they think that you're out of town, or are simply unavailable and will try to reach you at a better time. If you can't donate, then just answer and say so as opposed to making the fundraisers waste their time calling you.
Keep in mind that less than half of the costs comes from ticket sales. The Symphony keeps their prices affordable but relies on their donors to help keep it that way. The standard expected donation is 20% of your ticket or subscription price. Otherwise you're actually making the organization LOSE money when you go to concerts. If you can't afford to donate 20% of your ticket prices -- get cheaper tickets so that you can. This goes for most arts organizations (Some that actually tack on a donation when you buy your tickets, which isn't optional).
So answer the phone, regardless of what your answer is.
Avid Symphony Lover
ps. One of the fundraisers called me at work, and I asked how she got the number. He told me that I provided it when I bought tickets recently. I told him to just call me on my home phone in the future, which he happily obliged to. So if you don't want to hear from the symphony - just don't give them your number. How hard is that?
I give them a ton of money every year, but they STILL CALL MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR. I ask them not to, and to just mail me something. I just wish the calls would stop. I can't even count how many times i've asked to not be called at this point.
just as an fyi though, i told the person who called me that i was on the national DNC list, and they said that nonprofits don't have to abide by this. can someone verify this?