How do you usually go about getting donations from these types of companies? Do you mail a letter to their headquarters? How do you find out where that is? Do you call or try to send an email? What do these types of companies typically give as a donation (money, gift card, product, etc.)? For local merchants we have a donation letter we're putting together and will hand deliver and ask for a contribution. Just wondering how to go about it for the larger and national companies. Any help is greatly appreciated.

You can get donations from all the companies listed below. We have.

Walmart, Disney World+, Go Magnets.com, NY Philharmonic, Gertrude Hawk, Barry's Bakery, Blue Mountain Ski Area, TY, Inc., American Girl Doll Company, Playland, Cranium Toys, WWF, Regal Entertainment Group, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, Timex, NHLPA, Brooklyn Cyclones, Ben & Jerrys Homemade Inc., K'Nex / Lincoln Logs, National Baseball Hall of Fame, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, General Mills, Southpaw Industries, Bronx Zoo, American Eagle Outfitters, Philadelphia Zoo, Annie Mack Creations, Claires Accessories, Independence Seaport Museum, Staten Island Yankees, Foxwoods Resort and Casino, WPLJ, Wish Publishing, Wikki-Stix Omnicor Inc, Sam Ash Music, Crayola Factory, Garden City Music, NY Skyride, Academy of Natural Sciences, Please Touch Museum, Focus Brands, National Amusements, Inc., Ruby Tuesday, Build a Bear Workshop, Harvard University, Live with Regis and Kelly, New World Pasta, Air Tran Airways, Allied Domecq QSR, AMC Entertainment, Inc., WFAN Sports Radio, The Coca Cola Bottling Co of NY, Inc., Rodale Inc., Baker and Taylor, Railroad Museum of PA, Philadelphia Eagles, Big Apple Circus, Pepsi Co., Ladies Home Journal, NY Knicks, Fun-N-Nuf, Mrs. Field's Original Cookies, Color Bright Portraits, Major League Baseball Office of Commissioner, Magnet America, Darden Restaurants, Loews Cineplex, Dreyer's Foundation/Ed'y Ice Cream, Share a Voice, Jeepers, Inc., Harlem Globetrotters International, Oriental Trading Company,

These were great suggestions anyone have anymore? or an idea of what companies typically give?

Great suggestions, thanks so much for the help.

Hi Icasazza,
First off, do you have a form letter which states school information, contact information, info on the fundraiser, who will benefit, your school's tax exempt #, etc.? You need to leave these behind for managers to review, they will call you back. This will benefit you greatly, for local stores, restaurants, etc.

Do you have some parents lined up just for Corporate Sponsors/Donations? It helps to have a team out there, each should have a list of local and national companies they are willing to contact. Do you have any parents who are really friendly and maybe in sales for a living? It is vitally important to start far in advance especially with National companies, they need lead time.

I just finished a large fundraiser and found that walking into our establishments and asking face to face gets you a "Yes" most everytime! I also found some companies like to work via e-mail, try this as well. Ask for coupons (win win for everyone), product, parties and services. If you do get a "No", do not be discouraged, keep trying for the next event. Walk out with a smile on your face and understand that companies can only donate certain times of the year, for certain functions, etc. Maybe they can't donate right now, but they will hopefully remember your friendliness and smile for the next time.

List of my local nationwide companies who gave to our fundraiser:
Subway, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Sports Authority, Best Buy, McDonalds, Harley-Davidson, The Jump-Zone, Papa Johns, Superbowl, Oberweis Dairy,

Other places to ask for donations: local grocery store, local Hospitals, banks, ortho, dentist & doctors, landscaping companies, home party buinesses, local library, car dealerships (Just bought a BMW not long ago, went back and asked our salesman for a donation from the BMW store) any place you think would benefit by donating to you, be open minded and get your name out there.

Lastly, do you have a school business directly, which shows either parents who own companies or friends of the school who advertise in your directory? This really helps...lets you know who does what in your school and who better to ask than them. Ask around for anyone with connections...my brother lives next door to Ozzie, Manager of the Chicago White Soxs, of course I ask him all the time to get stuff for us! You never know who has connections, just don't be afraid to ask.

I hope I have given you some ideas...most of all, have fun with it, it will show in your enthusiasm and people love to see a smiling person walk into their establishment. Good luck!

Am I correct that "Tricky Tray" is the same as a Penny Party/Chinese Auction? Makes you wonder about the origin of all these names. Anyway, I too am in charge of our Penny Party. First I request that all parents donate a "Themed Basket". Our parents have come up with great ideas and gorgeous baskets. Next think about what products you and your parents use everyday or buy as gifts. Look up these companies on the internet and you can usually find how to request a donation. This year I received donations from American Girl dolls, Stampn' Up, Panera Bread and Scholastic Books. Also check the websites for your sportsteams, tv and radio stations. We are located in Philadelphia and I have received an autographed picture from the Eagles, limited edition picture from the Phillies and tickets for Philly Soul. Local bars donate bottles for our basket of cheer while neighborhood restaurnts donate gift certificates. I try to get the Fast Food operations (McDonalds, Burger King etc) to donate paper goods to cut down on my expenses. Hope this helps. Good Luck