I loved working here, it was a blast! I worked on the Hillary Clinton campaign back in 2016, and it was great! We warned people about Donald Trump and what he would do to America - and we were right! During the month of August 2016, it was so easy to get people to donate to Hillary - I had one guy donate $500, and this was after he had already donated $1,000 earlier that morning... This is a great first fundraising job, totally on the level, and is good for those pursuing a career in acting or film production, since they will work with you and your schedule. So if you have an audition, no problem...just go to the audition and make up the time another day. If they let you go (which happens fairly often, for whatever reason), they will give you your final, hand written check on the spot. You would see the dazed former employee walking out the door, holding a green check and muttering to themselves...calls are monitored, so if you pull any shady stuff, out you go! Anyway, I look back on my time here with fondness. Give 'em a try - what do you have to lose? read more

Scammers. Don't honor their own do not call list (submitted to voicemail twice). Look how many missed calls I've had from them. What's worse, they're not even effective. I've picked up numerous times and never been connected. I keep saying hello until they disconnect. read more

Telefund - Just the missed calls from them recently - Financial Advising Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I used to work here about 10 years ago. It's the bottom of the barrel as far as tele fundraising goes. The donor lists are people who haven't given in so long that they sometimes don't remember giving to the org, and TF is the last ditch effort to ask for more help. Company policy is to only talk to a live person, ask for money three times before ending the call (or the agent will get into trouble), and place you on the DNC list only if you ask a live agent who has confirmed it's actually the donor who wants to not be called. They literally cannot place a number on the DNC list unless a live donor of record says "do not call me again". In the case of a political call, it is a violation of federal law to speak to anyone but the donor of record (no, spouses don't count). Also, only the donor of record can donate in that case. All calls are recorded and monitored by management to make sure all policies and laws are followed. It's not the agents' fault; they're just trying to do a job in a way they don't get fired until they can find a better gig. This job is soul sucking enough as it is, and being rude to the agents doesn't get you off the list! The calls are auto-dialed, and sent to an open phone line once pick-up is detected. The tech is ancient, so glitches occur often. When that happens, the number goes back into the pool to be called again. To get on the DNC list: Answer the phone, confirm it's you, and ask a LIVE PERSON to be taken off the list. Or: Answer, say that person they're looking for isn't you, they have the wrong number. (This call will be coded as a wrong number, and dropped from the list). Just answering and saying something like "no thank you," or "take me off the list" or something vulgar and hanging up will NOT work, because verification of the donor's identity is required for the number to be dropped from the list. Do this, and you will be called again. Don't give your number to organizations you support, because they will get added to the lists that are sent to agencies like TF. The agencies get paid per call whether you give or not. They are paid to call and ask for money, and that's it. It's cheaper for orgs to use agencies like TF rather than pay for staff, space, equipment, and phone bills to set up their own call centers. I will only ever give to orgs anonymously, with no or obviously false contact info! read more

I have been wondering who or what's been calling me. I have a bad habit of ignoring numbers I'm not familiar with... and if it's really that important, there is usually a voicemail left behind. But no, no voicemail or anything. So I decide to Google the phone number and find this. Haha! A bit comforting to know I'm not alone in this! Now on my ignore list! read more

I found a Facebook page for what looks like an official page for them, and posted this in a comment: "512-916-0420 512-495-9128 303-293-2727 773-486-6637 213-487-9500 Your incessant barrage of phone calls from the above referenced numbers (and I'm sure a lot more that haven't robocalled my home phone) have made me not want to EVER support your progressive clients EVER AGAIN. It is hard to believe that organizations I have donated to like ASPCA, Planned Parenthood, Mother Jones, Special Olympics, etc., would turn to your company to raise money for them. I would request to have my phone numbers removed from your database, but it's just easier to block every number identified as Telefund. You need to change your phone call methods, as well as whatever mission statement you might have, because these charities you help represent will suffer from your growing piss poor reputation. There is a great Yelp review that lists over 20 charities.....really hard to fathom they are all unaware of your telemarketing methods. I highly doubt your admin will allow this to post, but I'll be sure to save this and paste it wherever I can. My hope is that you either change your fundraising methods drastically, or you go under." There was a quick response saying they'd remove the numbers from their call out list, and I responded with "Those are YOUR numbers"!!!!!!!!!! Holy smokes...... read more

I urge organizations not to do business with this company. Ultimately, they'll end up not only hurting donations to your organization, but hurting donations to others as well. When we donate to your organization, we do so because we believe in what you're doing and want the amount of our donation to go towards your efforts. What we do not want, is to be harassed by automated callers several times a day asking for donations that have nothing to do with your organization. This is what happens when you sign up with these people. I shouldn't have to change my cell phone number just because I donated a few bucks to your organization. And yes, despite telling them, "Please place me on your do not call list and the do not call list of all of your clients", the calls keep coming in. read more

Stop harassing me with 8 calls a day! Anyone who would think to use this company's service are out of their minds. They are going to alienate any feeling of goodwill that may exist by constantly hammering the potential donors with calls. read more

Nasty, mechanized phone solicitation bucket shop. Three to four calls per day; never leaves a voice mail. The Fact is that they are not the non-profits they represent themselves to be. They are a bunch of hustlers that do not deserve a moment's consideration or a nickel of anyone's money. I have recorded a complaint with the FCC on its web site: http://www.fcc.gov/complaints Like someone else has said: if I could rate them negative five stars I certainly would. read more

Not only are they incessant and inconsiderate (calling all days and into the evenings with no respect for the very supporters they're trying to squeeze money from), but now they've reduced themselves to an electronic nuisance. I now get calls where there is NO ONE ON THE LINE. Nothing but silence, no matter what I say. When you call back, you get a recorded message saying you can leave your name and number and be placed on their "internal do not call list." Well, that's apparently a "call even more" list because they're still calling. And not even talking. How does this company even stay in business? I REFUSE TO SUPPORT ANY NON-PROFIT OR CHARITY THAT USES TELEFUND. And I know I'm hardly the only one. How does that help anyone? read more

I started receiving calls from this number last night. The first time I missed the call but didn't see a voicemail so I figured I would try to call them back today. Before I got the chance to call them back, they called me this morning. I didn't answer, but waited to see if they left a voicemail and once again, they didn't. I googled the number and it brought me here. Blocking them now, thanks yelpers. read more

I've been receiving calls daily from this number, but I screen my calls from unknown numbers and never answered. They never left a message. Finally googled the number and found this listing. I called the number back twice. First time I received a busy signal, the second time I responded with '304' to have my number removed from their list. The automated response I received was "I'm sorry, that mailbox is full." I bet. I have no idea who they are trying to raise money for since I never answered, but I haven't received any calls from HRC since I began receiving calls from this number. Hmmm... read more

They call my home, every day all day! Never leave a message and hang up when we answer! This is harassment!!!

I agree with all of the above! I have their number blocked - but it still rings once - over and over and over... Here's an email address that I just used to express my feelings: info@telefund.com read more

I've get many calls from this number, almost all the time, no one answers. My phone has a provision to block calls, but the phone rings once anyway, then gives out four busy tones, then hangs up. Also, I see the call ID on the TV. Tonight was the last straw with a sick person and the phone started ringing every five minutes. With COX phone, I was able to put this number in and block it before it rings my home phone. One thing in their favor, they do, at least for now, display their correct name and caller ID, for this they rate the ONE STAR. Too bad Yelp does not have an option for ZERO or even negative stars. read more

We receive at least 8 calls a week from them. Even when I answer, there is dead air --- not a person, not even a recording. This is fundraising? No, it is harrassment and it is infuriating. To be put on their DO NOT CALL LIST, call (213) 487-9500 extension 304. I just left them a message. I don't know if it will work, but based on other comments, it won't make a difference and they'll just keep calling and hanging up. May I suggest that all of us who are harrassed by Telefund return the favor and call all their extensions repeatedly and fill their call boxes with whatever we see fit? **** NEW INFO: I called the number above, but instead of 304 I called extension 303, which is the employment line. "Anne" answered. I didn't say anything, waiting quietly as she said, "Hello? Hello? Hello?" and then got frustrated and hung up. Sort of like they've been doing to me for months now. I called back again and told her I'd like to be taken off their list. She took my number. Let's see if it works. ****** NEWER NEW INFO: It worked! Not a single call since then! read more

They started calling from different numbers when I wouldn't answer the number of theirs that I knew! I just got a call from 303-293-2727 today (supposedly Denver, CO) from someone claiming to be with telefund. I immediately told them I didn't want calls from telefund anymore even though the guy was trying to talk over me. He said he apologized, but seriously I've never been so rude to anyone in my life. I just hung up. Someone important needs to tell these people that harassing people and soliciting over the phone isn't an effective method for raising money for CHARITIES! read more

Every darned day, multiple times a day? Really? They fly under the cover of non-profits, protected by the Do Not Call regs, and they are scooping up the profits as a big cut from any charities. The volume of calls is ridiculous to the point of being offensive and disruptive. Wish I could find a way to make them stop. I've tried answering and asking to be removed from their lists, to no avail. read more

Charities and political organizations that sign on with Telefund use them because they get results. If you don't want to be called, do NOT provide a telephone number on any donations you send to them or to the charity directly. If they do call, ask to be put on the Telefund Do Not Call list and they will. If you are a member or a giver to any charity, the National Do Not Call Registry does NOT apply to you; only to cold call marketers. It is completely legal to call a previous donor who has provided you with a telephone number. Having worked for Telefund, it is hard work for very little pay. Callers who don't raise the funds get fired; they're a tough company to work for. The causes are good and that is why I and other people work there; they support the causes. Give directly to the company if you don't want to hear from Telefund. read more

They just called me at 8:38 PM on a Saturday night. I will never answer the phone when they call (incessantly) and if I even think a charity is involved with them I will not give. I have a charitable giving plan and they are not on the list and will never be. read more

I know they say they aren't a scam.... they are.... they are rude people that get paid minimum wage and lie about who they are. If you want to donate to a charity, arrange to do so directly with email/snailmail reminders from the charity directly. these telemarketing firms make millions of dollars, which the owners keep and pay minimum wage to the phone reps who call you. They train the reps to LIE about the details - they LIE and say "100% goes to the charity". they LIE and claim there will be matching donations. Do not waste your hard earned $ by letting these people have half of your donations. you can call this direct number 213-487-9500 ext 307 from this point on I refuse to give any money to any charity they claims to represent. read more

I worked here for a week. For anyone looking to work here: don't work here. On my third day here, the robodialer put me through to a lady who had once donated 25 bucks to the Sierra Club. I plowed through the script and got to my first ask ($100). She stated she was on a fixed income of $1100/mo. Since I know from personal experience what it is like to live on that kind of money, I politely ended the call. My manager who was listening in on the call immediately gave me a stern talking-to saying that I should employ a bunch of aggressive sales techniques and get through to the 3rd ask. Fun fact: Telefund exploits every possible legal loophole so they can keep calling you, even if you say "please take me off your list". "Flexible scheduling" means scheduling is flexible in Telefund's favor, not the employees'. When the robodialer "gets slow" they will send you home even if you've only been on the clock for a half hour, not even having earned enough to cover the gas used to get there. Also, they shorted me 4 hours on my paycheck. Turns out training...was unpaid! read more

UGH... Why is there no feature to give No Stars to this dumb company I keep getting calls from their phone number - 213 487-9500 seversal times a day. I finally answered the call and said stop calling me. The guy's excuse was it's an automated call system. Told him I don't care... They said they were calling for the ACLU, because I was a member in the past....... I complained some more, and they hung up on me read more

Ditto what everyone has said before. I can't believe how many times a day I have to ignore one of their calls. I only found out who they were by Googling the phone number. I support several nonprofits on their client list and I'll be contacting those charities to complain about their use of an outside firm. I know efficiency is helpful, but Telefund is coming on way, way too strong. read more

I recommend that victims of this company do two things: 1. Flood the local Better Business Bureau with complaints. My calls are coming from their Santa Barbara office so that's the BBB I used for my complaint. 2. Download a list of clients that you can find on the company web site at http://www.telefund.com/clients.html and then contact those clients. Tell them you will never donate to a charity that uses a firm making these harassing calls. Also tell them you will spread the word to your friends and neighbors not to give to these charities because of Telefund's abuses. read more

This number keeps calling me but never leaving a message. So annoying!

Consider this one star a NEGATIVE STAR. Incessant spammer! Calls daily, many times a day! So annoying!

Do note that firms like this keep up to 90% of amounts donated. Also, this firm has a tendency to keep spamming your phone. Luckily I've got an app for that. read more

(512) 495-9128 Ignored calls (usually late in the evening) for a couple of weeks until the other day I decided to answer. Said they were raising funds for the presidential election in effort to stop Donald Trump. Did not identify the organization they are raising funds for. Asked me to donate $116.00. I laughed, said I couldn't afford that and hung up. read more

Here's the website that has their contact information: http://www.telefund.com/contact.html It has different numbers for their different locations. Here's the text of the email I sent to the email address they listed. To Whom It May Concern, I am on the Federal Do Not Call List, and I have requested from Telefund agents that they take me off their list numerous times. Nevertheless, they have continued to call me each Sunday, and I suspect (from the number of hung up answering machine messages) each weekday as well. Calling people who are listed on the Do Not Call List, and who have explicitly asked your agents to be put on the company's Do Not Call list is a violation of federal law. Refusing to provide a name or ID when asked, or to put a person on the company's Do Not Call list, is a further legal violation. This afternoon, I talked to Alexander Diaz at the Santa Barbara site, and a representative at your Austin site. Both said that they are taking my name off their call list and that the company will not call me again. Since Alexander Diaz refused to provide written confirmation that I was taken off the list, this email to your company will serve as that confirmation. This email also constitutes legal notice that any future calls violate our spoken and written agreement, as well as federal law. If I receive any other unrequested calls from your company, I will pursue legal action. read more

What each and every one of you fail to realize is that you have "opted in" to their call. They themselves are NOT selling anything, federal do not call lists do not apply. They call exclusively on behalf of organizations that YOU & I are members or supporters of. ACLU, DNC, Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign, Sierra Club etc. If you have a problem with the calls (I did as well, so I actually researched them) take it up with the group you are involved with. If you are believers in your groups cause, cut these guys some slack. They are only doing what YOUR organization hired them to do.....bring in money for the organization to function. They wouldn't keep calling you if the organizations that hired them werent pleased with their results. Its the cost of democracy people. read more

I'm never, not ever, going to answer a call from Telefund. I have my cell phone set to automatically reject calls from Telefund. Telefund is just wasting its time trying to contact me. Organizations that use Telefund should, as other reviewers have urged, rethink this means of raising money. Since I don't answer Telefund's calls, I don't know for sure which organization to which I've donated has signed me up for Telefund's ceaseless annoying calls, but no matter how worthy the organization, if I find out they use Telefund, I will never donate another dime to them. read more

Serial robocaller that will not stop calling even after telling them over and over to stop. They keep most of the money they collect, so it's pointless to give them anything no matter who they claim to be raising money for. read more

I've gotten frequent calls from this outfit, which I blocked and ignored. Today they called eight times in less than two hours. These people are a complete nuisance. It doesn't do any good to be on do not call lists because scum like this just keep calling anyway. read more

It is simple to remove your number from Telefund's List. Email your number to info@telefund.com and request not to be called. Telefund works on behalf of charities and political groups and exempt from the National Do Not Call List, BUT they keep their own internal list. The call center uses an auto dialer, ignoring the call will only put your number back into the system. The only way to remove your number is to email info@telefund.com, call them back, or pick up the phone when they call. From Telefund's website: "Since 1988, our mission has been to raise funds and build support for progressive causes and candidates. Founded and led by individuals with decades of experience with some of the nation's top progressive causes, we maximize net income and impact for organizations committed to public interest issues. From the day of our founding, we have remained loyal to our mission and distinguished in our field, as public interest organizations and candidates are the only clients we have ever chosen to serve. We raise money and political support from core lists of donors, run successful acquisition campaigns to build membership, and generate persuasion calls to members in the heat of a political campaign." read more

Does it seem a little "one" sided here, folks, or if that's not pun enough, "one-starred?" You have to wonder when the entire list of reviews is uniformly one-starred, although I know that often people of a particular political persuasion often act in lock-step, like that. Especially when Payola is involved, which is sadly too often the case. As Michael Parenti says, "To keep the world safe for the people who own it, politically active elements of the owning class have created the national security state." They do this kind of thing in other countries, such as Kermit Roosevelt's boast of Iran in 1952, so why not here? I think the list of organizations that use Telefund is too awesome, I almost feel like I'm back in Paris, it's so "Progressif," mes amis. The more often they call me, the merrier. It's nice just to know there's an operation of outreach like this, although too many calls can sometimes be annoying, I feel you. Me, personally, I'm in ecstasy whenever I get calls from these groups, as it's reason alone for hope. In today's America, I wish they'd call more often. But, there you go, I'm incorrigibly 5 stars for this kind of program. read more

i get incessant calls from this company and their number. i would like them to quit calling me day and night. if i answer, there is dead air- no response. if i don't answer, there is no message left. the number calling me is 213-487-9500. please stop. i have reported it to the DO NOT CALL list. please cease and desist. read more

I, too, receive daily calls from Telefund, Inc. I will not answer the telephone because I absolutely will not donate to any charity or cause, however worthy, through a telemarketer. However, the federal do not call registry does not apply to fund raising, political campaign calls or surveys, so it won't help in this instance. It applies to businesses (and telemarketers) who are trying to sell you something. Having read the other reviews, and realizing the futility of answering the phone to tell them not to call me anymore, I went to their website to see if I could identify how they got my number. Yep, the calls started shortly after I donated money to one of their clients! I just contacted the client/cause directly, letting them know how upset I am and telling them that I expect THEM to get me off the list. Maybe if the clients realize how abusive the tactics used by Telefund are, they will withdraw as clients. WIsh me luck! read more

I too have received calls on my cell phone almost daily, with no message left. I do not answer as I do not recognize the number. I too am on the "Do not call" list. I just called the number from my home phone and reached a message machine stating that they are a progressive fundraising telemarketing company. You can punch in an extension (#304) and leave your number to be removed from the call list. I hope it works! read more

Telefund may be linked to organizations that are very worthy of receiving donations, but their tactics are unwarranted. I have been getting calls every day at the same time asking for donations. I politely have said that I will give again when I am ready, and I was not interested in signing up for an automatic monthly donation. When I said that they attempted to negotiate for a lower monthly amount. I said now this is moving toward harrassment. I will give again when I am ready. The callers response was "this is not harrassment" and proceeded to hang up on me. The unfortunate part is that I actually endorse the candidate they are seeking money for. They are giving the companies and people they work for a bad name. Not to mention no one answers any of their phone lines when I tried to call them. I was only given an option to leave my number so it could be removed from the calling list even when I called their main number in Chicago. read more

The information in all of these reviews is helpful. As everyone here reports, I also get daily calls from 303-293-2727, which Caller ID identifies as Telefund. There is no voice or recording. I have been on the Do Not Call list for years and just checked to make sure I am still on it. I screen my calls with an answering machine and use *60 to block unwanted calls. Calls to the company to request to be taken off their call list are ineffective. Unfortunately, most of their clients appear to be progressive non-profits, some of which I have donated to in the past. It is possible that agreeing to donate to any of those organizations through a telephone solicitation from Telefund classifies me as a "business client" under the Do Not Call rules, permitting continued calls. As was suggested, if you are inclined to donate to an organization through a telephone solicitation, ask the name of the company making the call. Legal action needs to be taken against Telefund to force them to change their abusive practices. Meantime, their clients (listed at telefund dot com slash clients dot html) should be contacted to inform them of the bad will that the company is causing them. The only contact listed for Telefund is: Nicole Lane, Payroll Administrator (303) 293-2726, extension 3302 Telefund has the following call centers: 209 West 9th St, Suite #220 Austin, TX 78701 (512) 916-4001 59 Temple Place, Suite #442 Boston, MA 02111 (617) 292-7700 1321 15th St, Suite #100 Denver, CO 80202 (303) 894-0456 3550 Wilshire Blvd, Suite #1260 Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 487-9500 15 W. Figueroa St, 2nd floor Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 564-1093 read more