Has anyone received a donation from General Mills lately or is their program still on hold?

I agree with some earlier posters that I have gotten no's from many of the companies on Lola's list - so a reality check for newbies. In fact she is the first person I have heard of who successfully obtained donations from Brooks Brothers and Cartier. She has a magic touch!

Here is a new one to share:
premiercancunvacations (site won't let me paste url so a google search should do the trick).

We did have a parent connection with Cartier - parent connections are where most big ticket items come from.

Don't take it wrong - we do not get yes's every time. Who would? Our list is constantly changing. Using the 3 no's and your out rule, we have been able to keep a steady income. We are CONSTANTLY updating the list.

Teams are fickle - not everyone loves the home team. Alumni can usually get a donation from their school.

If you have a golf course near you, ask them to put on a tournament. It will cost you depending on the course, but you will make well and above what it costs.

Same with fishing tounaments. Bowling tournaments. Do you know a motorcycle rider? Get their club to do a poker run. Have a favorite adult hangout? Ask them to do a dart or pool tournament.

I am going out of town this afternoon. I will try to get more on here when I get back. Think out of the box.

50/50 Raffle
Art Show
Author Book Signing
BBQ Contest
Calendars
Casino Night
Chili Cook Off
Cookbook
Craft Fair
Fashion Show
Holiday Bizaar
Mini Golf Tournament
Pancake Breakfast
Spagetti Dinner
Tour Of Homes (especially at holidays)
Wine Tasting Event

Lola -- I've got to ask - How did you get Cartier to donate? Was there a parent connection?

TIA

Lola - Mt Hood Meadows is not an actual 'resort' if you are looking for travel packages....it's just a place to ski. I hit them up every year for the 2 day passes which is their stock donation and they always turn us down...we are an hour away! Timberline Lodge is where it's at...but their standard donation is a $50 community gift card - which is great if you live in the area!
But that's good advice Lola, about how how change your focus per event! Most of us just do a auction...pretty broad! Put more info about those events on here! They sound like fun! Most of the resorts I hit up offer 50/50...which is great, but we don't have that kind of budget out where I am and most of them we would still not break even with. And as far as the soprts teams,,,I was under the impression (after getting donations from the Trailblazers, Mariners & Seahawks yearly) from the websites that you should only hit up the team "in your area" to get a response. I would rather have a Red Sox donatins than a Mariners one (just sayin!) but based on the website info didn't have a chance.
Other good ideas: AAA (most seem to give a one yeard basic membership - just walk into your local branch and leave a letter for the manager) or Marathon entries if you are in/near a city with a popular marathon or half marathon.

Lola, you must have the touch ... because a lot of those companies have said no to small groups for quite some time! And I'm with Laurie ... I live near some of those places & get turned down every year!

It's a great resource, but I think it should bear noting (for all the lurkers and newcomers to the thread) that none of them are a guaranteed yes.

Ashley - Musicians and Authors will have a website. Use the contact us or fan email. Some childrens authors you can contact through scholastic.

Laurie - It is Mt hood Meadows Resort. Attn: donations, PO Box 470, Mt Hood, OR, 97041.

I think the difference may be that we do not do just one event. We have several events and not all donate to every one. Ex: Rapala will only donate to our fishing tounament (held by an avid fishing father) and Calloway will only donate to the golf tournament. Cabelas will always send something to our "family camp weekend" which is not a fundraiser so much as a family building activity.

For resorts out of our area, you must generally show proof of travel, dinners, activities etc to get an approval. Speaking directly to the donations manager will sometimes help to explain that you are offering a vacation package to their area - not just a stay in their resort.

We remove names after 3 consecutive no's. Recently removed were Alpine Meadows Resort, Bodum, Boston Red Sox, Bowling Green State Falcons, Burts Bees, Crystal Mountain Resort, Dove, H2O Plus, Kennedy Space Center, Kleenex, Liberty Mountain Resort, Life is Good, Luxor las Vegas, McGuires Resort, Olay, Pet Food Express.