One request crossed my desk this morning, and the organization generally seems to fund some activities with a fairly transparent legal/political/social agenda that I am lukewarm (at best) towards. In short, I would rather direct my resources somewhere else.

Now, I am going to donate a small, fairly insignificant amount of money in the interest of not raising eyebrows because these causes seem to be a priority to my employer but I am a bit uneasy.

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posted by Deep Dish: It is getting to the time of year when I am being solicited for charitable donations at work. ... I would rather direct my resources somewhere else.

Now, I am going to donate a small, fairly insignificant amount ... because these causes seem to be a priority to my employer but I am a bit uneasy. Tell me what you think of this...

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Baby showers, chocolate bars for school activities, charitable organizations, pledges for fundraising events, ... there seems to be no limits unless dictated by a company-wide policy or expressed by individual employees.

If you don't want to rock the boar or raise eyebrows, by all means cough it up and seethe in resentful silence.

I've made some general inquires to the effect that "these are good programs but they don't really reflect my priorities" and I would like to find out how to target my donation within the umbrella organization the donations are being made to. I think this might ease my mind.

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I guess the philisophical question here is, to what extent do you follow these unspoken obligations when they conflict with your values. Technically you are not breaking an agreement, morally maybe less so.

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I don't. But then, from what you've described it doesn't sound so much that they conflict with your values as you think there's a better place to put your money.