Eight or ten years ago, the trustees of a local non-profit (let's call it Civic Group Alpha) were going over their list of unpaid pledges and noted that one board member, a Person of High Standing who was not present at that meeting, hadn't paid his pledge, a substantial one in the several thousands of dollars. The board agreed to discuss at its next meeting how to tactfully approach the Person of High Standing to pay his pledge.
At the next meeting (also skipped by the Person Of Standing), one trustee said, "I'm on the board of Civic Group Beta (another society-laden group), and the Person Of Standing hasn't paid his pledge to us either." A second trustee said, "I'm on the board of Civic Group Gamma, and the Person Of Standing has a large unpaid pledge to us also. Not only that, but one of the other board members there is a trustee of Civic Group Delta, and she said that the Person hasn't paid his pledge there either." Each of these pledges was for several thousand dollars -- at least one was for more than $10,000 -- and caused the various Civic Groups to recognize the Person as a major donor.
Every board has a wag. The wag on this board suggested that Civic Group Alpha write the Person along these lines: "Dear P.O.S.: You generously pledged $X,000 to our group last year, which we haven't received yet. We'd like to close our books on the year. We understand that times may have been difficult for you this year, and we'd be happy to work something out on the installment plan if you aren't in a position to honor your pledge in full at this time. Very truly yours, Alpha President." The wag then suggested that Civic Groups Beta, Gamma, and Delta send the identical letter on the same day to the Person of Standing, which they all did.
According to the Knower of All Things, the Person Of Standing paid all the pledges by return mail and resigned from the boards. Where the Person of Standing obtained the funds so quickly is a question they didn't try to answer.