I'm very new at this. Last year' president left me nothing to go on. Could you please send me a copy of the letter you are sending to these companies? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Thanks in advance
I have found that it is much easier to ask for donations in person, from places that I already go to. I print out and carry donation letters with me everywhere I go. The other day I had lunch with my mom, and talked to the restaurant manager - he gave me a $50 gift certificate right on the spot. It is easier to separate yourself from the pack of donation requestors when the place you are asking has you as a paying customer. There is a benefit to the business to keep you, their customer, happy. Just remember that there is a LOT of competition for their donation. A bakery I talked to said that she gets several EVERY DAY. Set yourself apart by being a good customer, and by showing them why you are different than the other non-profits. What is it that you do that is different and special? The non-profit that I work with is not even a school, but it is child focused, so I get a lot of ideas from this site. People want to help, but are so overwhelmed with requests that you have to get a bit creative. Sign up for LinkedIn and Facebook - use your connections and ask that way, too.
Our silent auction is in March of every year. I have used this thread (and the previous/now shut-down thread) and had only so-so results. We hit the local places hard every year. We have A LOT of local competition from other area schools. Every school in our area has multiple booster groups and every booster group has it's own fundraiser. Many have silent auctions, live auctions, reverse raffles, Nite at the Races, etc... We all try to not "step on toes" of other booster groups and we are always looking for unique fundraising ideas. Most every group has their own 501(c)3 - we do.
With all that being said, since I've only had so-so results, I am hoping I can get a few of you to send me a copy of the letters you are using to request donations. I can't help but think I am not wording my letter with the 'right stuff'. My e-mail address is below...
Thanks in advance!
Lisa M.
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Thank you for your great advice, McKenna! The way you said it was perfect! I'm definitely going to do that! And thank you all for taking the time to help everyone!
Thanks to everyone who has put info on this thread. It has been a terrific resource in getting our auction items. I find that while I may not be able to use a certain specific link from a city far from us, I can correlate it to a local business - like a children's museum or funplex. Just getting the "think outside the box" ideas - like hitting up Groupon for local possible links - has been invaluable!
THANK YOU!!!!
