Sure! I'd be happy to violate someone's privacy for you!

[Sheldonrs]

Had a donor call us because he received a card from us letting him know a "friend" of his had made a donation to us in his honor.
He wanted me to tell him how much the donation was. I explained to him that that would violate the donor's privacy.
His reply? "Well I donated $20,000.00 to you last year but I guess I'll be giving to another charity this year since you don't want my money!?
When I explained to him how he probably wouldn't like us giving out HIS donation amount, he was shocked that we DIDN'T tell everyone how much he gave.

I remember when people gave to charity because it was a nice thing to do.

[Dips]

Why does he need to know?

All he needs to know is where to send the thank you note (unless the donor requested anonymity, of course). Putting the amount in the thank you note would be crass, so he doesn't need to know that to write it.

[Dave1982]

Or.....how about contacting his friend directly and asking?

I once made a donation in someone's honor. I'd gotten my aunt in the family Christmas drawing, and she said she didn't want anything that year and asked that I take the traditional amount and donate it to a charity of my choosing. I did the "in honor of" option so she'd get a card and know I actually donated the money rather that keep it.

Of course, in this case she knew how much the donation was, since we all knew what the "traditional amount" was. But in the spirit of the OP, I won't disclose it here.

[ralerin]

Or.....how about contacting his friend directly and asking?

Because it would make sense. Or else he wanted to one-up said friend. If said friend even existed.

[Kiwi]

"Well I donated $20,000.00 to you last year.

anyone else thinking he donated in Zimbabwean dollars? that would be what...$10 or something

[Sheldonrs]

anyone else thinking he donated in Zimbabwean dollars? that would be what...$10 or something

In fairness, he DID donate a little over $20,000.00 last year.

I guess he just wanted to know "how much" his friend thinks of him.

[VComps]

Ah yes... the proud tradition of making sure everyone knows about the good works we're doing anonymously.

[protege]

anyone else thinking he donated in Zimbabwean dollars?

In that case, it would be worthless

[bainsidhe]

I'd also worry that somebody would go "What! I don't want someone donating that much in my name! Give it back" Yeah, people can suck.

[friendofjimmyk]

Or.....how about contacting his friend directly and asking?

Well now, that's just bad manners. It's better to call the organization and ask and then threaten them when the information is not given. At least he saves face with his "friend".