I'd like to take credit for this, but I am simply passing on what others have found.Wow Bobcat....thanks for your research.
A search of the WT Library using this phrase (pledg* & donat*) returned these:
I wonder if this would apply to what was done this past week?*** w51 5/1 pp. 284-285 Planning Now for the Time to Come ***
Planning ahead is a Scriptural and proper procedure, and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society likes to plan ahead to the extent that it can. Every year those who anticipate that they may want to contribute some funds to the Society during the coming twelve months are privileged to write to the office of the treasurer and so state their hopes in this regard. This is in no sense of the word a pledge, but, in so stating what they intend to do, those writing in merely give an indication of what they hope they can do. That is why we often refer to it as “Good Hopes”. A discussion of the matter here is not a solicitation in any sense of the word. The response to this Watchtower article is simply an individual’s expression of a hope that during the forthcoming twelve months an amount will be donated according to his present plans. That gives the Society something on which to base its program for the coming year.
*** w61 5/1 p. 279 How Jehovah Prospers His Work ***
Q. Since collection plates are never passed, how do the local congregations meet their expenses?
A. They meet their expenses locally in the same way as they support the work generally—voluntarily. A contribution box is kept near the entrance to the Kingdom Hall. (2 Ki. 12:9) All donations, including the widow’s “two small coins,” help defray expenses, whether that be for Kingdom Hall construction, rent, fuel, light, water, and so forth. (Mark 12:42) No pledges are taken; no list of contributors is made. Once a month the minister responsible for the accounts reads a brief statement to the congregation, advising them of total contributions and expenditures. When newly dedicated Witnesses understand this arrangement, they voluntarily take part, each one “as he may be prospering.” (1 Cor. 16:2) This is the practice in each of the 21,008 congregations world-wide.
*** w60 5/1 p. 267 How Is the Kingdom Work Financed? ***
That the Society may plan its expenses for the year, it needs to know approximately how much Jehovah’s witnesses and interested persons plan to contribute. What they promise is not a pledge but merely an estimation of what they hope to donate during the year. Call it their contribution prospects. It is a voluntary promise such as was made by the Corinthians: “I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to come to you in advance and to get ready in advance your bountiful gift previously promised.”—2 Cor. 9:5.
In every instance, "pledge" (in connection with donations) is portrayed as anathema.*** w59 5/1 p. 286 Sharing the Good News by Contributing Personally ***
In harmony with Paul’s words, each year the Society calls attention to your privilege of making personal contributions and of indicating to the Society the prospects for such donations through the ensuing year. In doing this, the Society is not taking up pledges. Such announcement does not change any donation made in response thereto from being a voluntary donation. For example, in the preparation for constructing the tabernacle, Moses said: “This is the word that Jehovah has commanded, saying, ‘From among yourselves take up a contribution for Jehovah.’” The response? “The sons of Israel brought a voluntary offering to Jehovah.”—Ex. 35:4, 5, 29.
)We don't need assemblies 3 times a year for Pete's sakes and all of these "training schools" (For single people, for married people, the list goes on and on). If you can't afford it cut back.That's what they tell the "rank and file " to do.