The rationale for using school letterhead is that it helps establish credibility during the ask - if your volunteers are not getting any resistance from the businesses they are approaching, you can have your letter on whatever kind of paper you please!
For the school auctions I have chaired, I've asked the district's printing office to make some letterhead for us with the district logo, the name and address of our school, and a line that indicates that the request is coming from the PTA Auction Committee. It's generally ugly (the district logo is pretty terrible), but inexpensive, and it looks official. I've had good success with that.
One thing I am doing is gathering a few people to go out to the community together to solict donations. I figure we can cover more ground in an area quicker if we work as a group. So far, I had positive feedback on people willing to work this way. I think this helps people who may want to help but do not feel comfortable going at it alone. We may divide into groups of 2.
One question, I see a lot of " use school letter head" from the school for the letters of donations on this site. We are not using the school letter head, but a logo for our Gala. Will this work, or do I need to use the school letter head? I don't want to do double the work when requesting donations, so I am trying to make sure I have all the kinks worked out before soliciting. Our Gala is not unitl May of 2012, but I want to start after the kids go back to school, in a few weeks, soliciting larger/non local companies. I figure come January we can solicit the local door-to-door donations.
I am in the Chicago area trying to find a way to contact the Chicago Bulls to request a donation for my upcoming fundraiser, and not having much luck.
Has anyone had luck with the organization? Thank You!
Hi ladies, some quick suggestions. Get others to help solicit! You may need up to 10 follow ups before you walk out with a donation. This takes time so ask for help. Business owners respond more favorably to existing clients, so have your friends ask their: Beauty Salons, Spas, Nail Salons, Liquor Stores, Local Wineries, Local Movie Theatre, Boutiques for clothing, jewelry etc.. Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Contractors and LandScapers. Think outside of the box and have them ask everywhere, especially when they are actually using the service. This is for local soliciting.
Bigger corporate companies need anywhere from 3 months to 6 weeks lead time for donation requests.
Look for corporate websites by putting in key phrases like Community Giving, Donation Request, Charitable Giving, Community Involvement.
Your States sports teams will usually give a small signed item, solicit all of them. Frame smaller signed photos for added appeal and presentation.
good luck!
Hello
Just want to second the comment "this site rock". Also, I am sending << kuddos>> to the person on this site (sorry don't remember who it was) that suggested doing a google search for "donor request form". what a life save, no more searching the website. Thanks so much for sharing!!
I do have a question: Requirements for Cheese cake factory has these two items:
Proof of the organization’s Federal Tax ID number.
A copy of your organizations current IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, if applicable.
We are a 501(c)(3), so aren't these two items the same for our PTO
We just started sending out letters Monday, and heard back from Turkey Hill and Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster PA.
Cool as a moose:)
All requests that are sent to companies should be on schools letterhead. Our school doesn't officially have a standard letterhead, but what we are using is accepted. Be sure to mention your event, date of event, where it's being held with address and with your letter, attach your tax exempt form. The request letters that are sent to companies should also have a name, address, phone and e-mail of contact if they have any questions and many do. Highlights magazine donated to us. I received the package today in the mail. Didn't know it was coming. I had all info on letter, so it was easy for them. They gave 10 highlight magazines and 2-one year subscriptions. We are making 2 baskets.
