501 (c)(3) numbers are public information. They do not have to be closely guarded. Anyone can go online and find the number for any non-profit organization, as well as the organization's tax returns.
If your getting rejected from companies and don't why, first look at the letter your sending out. Your letters need to be professional in nature and get right to the point. Companies know that all school's have fallen on hard times and you need their money or products. You need to be direct and to the point your very first sentence. We need your help and this is why we need it. They don't have time to read a 7 minute letter about your school's history or it's PTO. As we all know they get thousands of letters everyday asking for the samething. Your personal letters are ok for your community because they know who you are. Corporate companies what the facts and that's it.
Also, Never give out your school's 501 C (3) number to any company! If they aren't giving you a donation they shouldn't have it. That number can fall into the wrong hands and it's your school that can pay the price. You should only give a company your number AFTER they send you a product and your event is over. Let them know that you will forward the number with your thank you letter after your event. It's just like a SS number- Don't give it out.
Tip- Ask your local night school to offer gift certificates to your fundraiser. They want people in school and most are willing to help out the community. A free session for wine and cheese tasting. A free art class, free french lesson. There are great finds in that book, just look.
If your getting rejected from companies and don't why, first look at the letter your sending out. Your letters need to be professional in nature and get right to the point. Companies know that all school's have fallen on hard times and you need their money or products. You need to be direct and to the point your very first sentence. We need your help and this is why we need it. They don't have time to read a 7 minute letter about your school's history or it's PTO. As we all know they get thousands of letters everyday asking for the samething. Your personal letters are ok for your community because they know who you are. Corporate companies what the facts and that's it.
Also, Never give out your school's 501 C (3) number to any company! If they aren't giving you a donation they shouldn't have it. That number can fall into the wrong hands and it's your school that can pay the price. You should only give a company your number AFTER they send you a product and your event is over. Let them know that you will forward the number with your thank you letter after your event. It's just like a SS number- Don't give it out.
Tip- Ask your local night school to offer gift certificates to your fundraiser. They want people in school and most are willing to help out the community. A free session for wine and cheese tasting. A free art class, free french lesson. There are great finds in that book, just look.
We are having our fundraiser in mid March and I have found the board tremendously helpful for ideas. Like many others we have gotten most of our donations from local companies, shops, and businesses. We have found in years past that attendees like to purchase experiences: private tours, lunch or a talk with a "celebrity". We are in Washington DC and are fortunate to have connections with many political types.
Of the places we've contacted that have been discussed on this board I wanted to let people know we got donations from:
Cabot Creamery - cheese basket
Stampin' Up - very generous group of items for scrapbooking/crafts
4 Disney Hopper Tickets
Boden - $50 gift card
We have gotten no's from
Scholastic
Your True Nature
Nintendo
Coach
Carvel
Garmin
We have not heard back from numerous other places we've tried. Best of luck to all! Lisa
