Salvation Army: Red Kettle Donations Are Down, Mail-In Donations Are Up

The Salvation Army says fewer people are donating to their Red Kettles campaign this year, though donations from direct mail are up.

While the red kettles are certainly the most visible fundraising campaign for the Salvation Army, it’s not the top money earner. Major Dan Jennings, the divisional commander for Wisconsin and part of Upper Michigan, said that kettle donations are down.

“In the core areas — those are the larger metropolitan areas throughout Wisconsin — almost everyone has reported being a little down on the kettle side,” he said. “Most everyone’s reporting on being a little up on the direct mail side. So all in all, we’re pretty close to last year.”

In Milwaukee County, Jennings said kettles have taken in $65,000 less than last year but they’re ahead $70,000 with their direct mail. Statewide, the Salvation Army hopes to raise around $15 million.