My friend wants a screenshot of my political donation and I do not want support to become a receipt
PoliticsA close friend is raising money for a political organization she cares about. I told her I supported the general goal and would look at the group's materials before deciding whether to donate. Two days later she sent me a message asking for a screenshot once I had contributed so she could count me toward her personal target.
The request changed the feeling immediately.
I am not opposed to donations being public in every circumstance, and I understand that some information may be disclosed under rules that depend on the type and amount of contribution. I have not researched those rules for this organization, so I am not making any claim about what is legally private. I simply do not want to send a friend a receipt showing the amount, payment details, or the exact time I acted.
She followed up with, "No pressure, even five dollars shows you're with us." I believe she meant to lower the financial barrier. What I heard was that a symbolic payment had become a friendship test. If I donate without sending proof, she may think I ignored her. If I send a screenshot with everything covered except the confirmation, I still participate in a system where support is verified person by person.
There is also a substantive question. The organization works on an issue I broadly support, but its recent messages are more combative than I am comfortable with. I want time to read how it spends money and what exactly I would be funding. Agreement with a cause is not automatic agreement with every group claiming it.
I am leaning toward saying, "I don't share donation receipts or amounts. I'll decide privately after reviewing the organization, and I need that decision not to be a measure of our friendship." That is clear, but perhaps harsher than the situation requires.
How would you respond? Is the screenshot request a normal fundraising practice I am overreacting to, or is it reasonable to keep political giving separate from personal proof?