I have to agree..you need to do your own homework and double check what success have been posted on this board. This was my first year doing Raffles and Donations for our entire school. I was able to find the list that was submitted and worked from there. I was successful in getting the tickets from Air Trans and the Disney Hopper Passes (never expecting that they would come..thanks so much to everyone for this). I also read my local newspaper. When I saw an ad for something that might be interesting, I called, wrote or emailed and was extremely successful that way. You need to use your imagination. We got a set of dance lessons for Arthur Murray, tickets for our local community theatres for an opera, show and the circus. Use your local crafts people. We were able to get alot of crafters to donate their items by telling them to give us their brochures or flyers so that we can include it in Goody Bags that we give out to our Gala. I emailed companies that spammed me and was able to get some donations from them. It takes a little time and alot of imagination. Hope this helps someone.
Im going to be hitting the beat today (its going to be 50 today in Illinois), wearing the leather off my shoes going door to door up town finding cash donations. Wish me luck
I really don't mind sharing my information, don't get me wrong. I have posted much info here on this website and I have also e-mailed many posters a database I created for managing a school directory. I don't have the Daffy Duck 'mine-mine-mine' mentality, exactly the opposite in fact.
What incenses me is the mindlessness of the continual 'me-too' e-mails. I have even seen people respond with 'me too' AFTER I have posted a document directly in the thread.
I, too, have done this many times. When I recruit helpers, I give them these rules.
1. Ask to see a manager. Clerks are not able to give anything.
2. Do not go during their busy times. Restaurant managers are not inclined to give during lunch or dinner and retail managers are not inclined to give during busy Christmas shopping. Early morning is the best time.
3. If you have business there, show them. Managers are more inclined to give to CUSTOMERS.
4. Banks are great at giving. Contact their community relations departments.
5. Utilities too. Electric companies, phone companies, gas companies, cable companies, and hospitals.
6. Use your parents and their employers. I find out from parents the go-to person at their employers. I have about a 90% success rate with this avenue.
7. Know what to ask for. Don't be afraid to let the business know that a cash donation is GREAT. I got a $500 donation from a local warehouse because he said he really didn't have anything to donate and I told him cash was good.
8. Don't take it personally when someone tells you no. The next time they might say yes.
Even if there was a magic list, by the time that all the "me-too"'s sent letters, those businesses wouldn't be giving anymore.
Chiming in. I've been doing this for awhile. There is no magic list nor magic letter.
Finding great donations is tough. Start small and work up. Tap into your parents - find out where they work and if their companies would donate corporate items or possibly, cash.
You have to PAY ATTENTION and keep your "antennas" up always. Turn on the "schmooze" and introduce yourself, your school, your group's focus, and if they would ever consider a donation. If not, then no worries.
Don't ask for a donation from the #1 water park in your state - start with #5, or the big Hotel at your closest airport that has a pool.
If they decline, politely thank them for their time and move on.
