Asking Business for Donations

[va32h]

Ironic in light of all the donation stuff going on, but I have been put in charge of getting local businesses to donate services or door prizes for an event that my moms' club is putting on.

Anyone have tips or suggestions on how to succeed at this?

We are a registered 501 c 3 non-profit, so it would be tax deductible, but while we do have a service aspect to our club, we are not a charity or otherwise philanthropic organization. So we can't really work that angle in our appeal.

I am looking at businesses that would appeal to families, to sell them on the idea that they can appeal to a "highly targeted market of decision making mommies." We will have a program, and donors can have a free ad space (or buy an ad in lieu of donating something!)

But the fact is, I am not too assertive about asking for stuff. I take no for an answer really easily. So why am I in charge of this? Anyway, any advice would be helpful.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Send a letter to the director of sales and offer to advertise their business. Send the same letter to the GM or Director of Operations or whatever. His secretary will get it. Maybe she'll toss it in the trash, maybe not.

That's the best advice I have.

 

[clh2]

Maybe at one of your meetings you could ask each person to write down a list of 5 or 10 business that they buy a lot of stuff from in the area you live??? The times I have asked for donations, I've found it easier to solicit from businesses we knew we already a lot.

 

[disneygals]

I had to do this 2 summers ago for a Nutcracker fund-raiser. Once you get going it's not that bad. People in business get requests constantly and usually already have figured how much they will give in a year. It will probably be easier to get goods instead of money. If you do walk-ins, you will usually see a person who can't make the decision and they'll ask you to leave paperwork. It's good to bring along kids for the cute factor.

I would plan on having a list or poster at the event thanking all who contributed. when you're asking for stuff, tell them how you will tell the attendees who donated. We sent follow-up thank you notes also.

Good luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would show up at their door, ask to speak with the manager and ask for a donation. Every year our congregation has a BINGO night and gets donations from businesses. I could not believe the quantity of donations that they got. Not all of them were big donations, but most places gave something. Most were gift certificates. If you have enough time, you can even write to big companies (think Disney, etc), but that takes a long time to arrange.

 

[HaleyB]

A few tips.

Have a letter written just as an introduction to your group and what you need donations for. If your membership is a selling point make sure to mention it. Have it copied onto some letter head.

If you have an example of the program from last year it may help.

Ask at the 1st of the month. Many companies have a set amount they will donate each month and will say yes to everyone until it is gone (others do it by the year so asking Jan 1st is best for those).

Good luck.

 

[tinatark]

go check out the forums on ptotoday.com - TONS of info and advice!

 

[poohandwendy]

you scammer!!!

Jk

 

[Molly Meow]

I wanted to wish you good luck, and tell you that Blockbuster tends to donate to family groups.

Don't go into a store and ask - they can't help at all. Only the corporate office can decide to donate.

You can reach them by going to www.blockbuster.com and clicking on the contact us link at the top. Then click the contact us tab and fill the form out.

Hope this helps!

 

[AprilShowers]

As an owner of a small business, I am not too inclined to give away stuff or money to groups just so they can have a fun day and award themselves prizes. So if you're looking for freebies just to have a party, I wouldn't be interested in helping you out.

That being said: If you can show how it would benefit my business, or get my name out there, you might have me. I am always looking for unique ways to get my business name out there, and this just might be the ticket. A mention in your program, or other such ad would be the way to encourage me to help you out.

Also, you would need to mention to me what "services" your group provides. That also would help sway me. (really I'm an easy target)
Business owners want to help the community, but they also want to help themselves. Show them a way to do both, and you won't have any trouble.
Good luck!!!!

 

[va32h]

AprilShowers, that's sort of my pickle.

It's an Open House - which is more or less fun, I mean, we want it to be fun!

There will be informative speakers for the moms, though. Someone from the SPCA will talk about when and how to choose a pet for your family, someone from the fire dept. will give a talk about home fire safety, we've got a babyproofing company doing a presentation - so those are basically civic-minded.

Then just for pure fun, we've got a makeup artist demonstrating "One-handed makeup routines" (because you are holding a baby in the other!) and a ballroom dance instructor that teaches all ages. And I am giving a talk on WDW Family Vacation Planning!

And there will be a kids' activity area with little games and play areas, etc.

Overall, our group does perform at least one service project per year that benefits the community. We've raised funds and collected goods for a women's shelter, we collected business clothing to donate to an organization that prepares welfare recipients for the workplace, we've raised money for an children's shelter - enough cash to take all the children to a local amusement park for a day, and still purchase things for the center, we hosted a Halloween Carnival for the moms & children of another crisis center - provided costumes for all the kids, had games & trick or treating, etc. This year we are collecting school supplies and donations for the districts Enrichment Fund, which distributes supplies anonymously to needy families. Over the holidays we'll raise funds for Wednesday's Child (hard-to-place adoptions) and in the spring I think we are doing something with March of Dimes.

So we do have a charitable aspect - but that is not the focus of this particular event.

Thanks for all the great tips though - they are all very good ideas - especially about having the members brainstorm who they know - that has already worked, because I emailed my Discovery Toys rep and she is going to lend us the use of several toys for the play area in exchange for putting out her business cards and an ad in the program.

We are also going to have "goodie bags" - like you'd get at the state fair you know? With useful stuff, like a map of all the city parks and a list of fun places to take kids, etc. I was going to offer to let businesses put their brochures or ads in there.

I will check out that website too - thanks!

 

[AprilShowers]

Is your open house open to the public? Because if it's not - forgive me for being frank - I just can't see asking local business to donate prizes for the members of your club just BECAUSE. KWIM? I'm not trying to be mean here, but there are so many worthwhile causes (many of which you help out) that it seems a little silly to ask for free stuff for yourselves.

Does your club's treasury have a budget that you can purchase some inexpensive items for prizes?

OTOH, if you're asking for donations in exchange for advertising, then that's a different story.

I love what you're doing BTW, and I think it will be a fun day! Maybe we could trade tips and info because I belong to a Mother's club and we're always looking for new and fun projects.

 

[va32h]

April - our open house is most definitely open to the public - it is our major new member recruitment effort of the year. Mothers do not have to join the club of course, they can still come to the open house and enjoy all the amenities, etc.

We do have a budget for this event, but it is not large, and we look to save wherever we can. We have flyers to print up, and the program of course, and refreshments, and decorations, and freebies and things for the kids. Some stuff has already been donated - another club member was able to get free bottled water from her water service, and floral arrangements from a local florist (basically, we offered to take any of her stock flowers that were on their last legs the day of our event!).

I am a home-based business owner and crafter myself, and am donating one of my handmade boutique diaper bags with a blanket, bib, and embroidered burp cloth. I also got one of the wholesalers I buy from to donate a basket full of sewing notions and patterns - but that was easy, as they give every customer one freebie per year.

I think I am going to target women-owned businesses first - give them a sense of moms helping moms.

Our club was originally founded 13 years ago as a support group for stay at home moms (you know, during the 80s when the working mom/at home mom debates were raging.

Well it's not such a controversial thing anymore, to work or not work, so our membership has expanded to include moms who work part time or work from home, or work off shifts, etc. Technically, membership is open to anyone who is a mother, but since all our activities do take place on weekdays, moms at home tend to comprise our membership.

 

[CEDmom]

I'd go to small businesses in the area that the club members live. Explain what you're doing and ask if they'd be willing to donate something. Tell them you'll advertise their business in the event program and also have their brochures out for people to take.

I worked on the teacher appreciation lunch at my DD's school. The kind of stuff we got were gift certificates for manicures, beauty items from a salon, coupons for 25-50% off services at a spa, restaurant certificates. Most places are willing to donate and have a set amount they do each year.

 

[AprilShowers]

Ok, forget everything I said originally. I thought you were having a fun day for members only.
what you are doing is a public service. You're open to the public, having information for the public, and basically doing a very good thing.

I think you should go out there and tell businesses what you are doing to support young moms (SAHM or working) and would they like to help by offering a donation for door prizes?

Good luck and have tons of fun!