FUNDRAISING QUESTION

     Hello!  I am a first time walker and I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful cause!  I am, however, a little worried about the Fundraising aspect.  I have sent out several e-mails, Facebook notes, and letters (although due to the 3ft of snow Maryland has received, the letters may not have yet gotten to their destinations) and only have a donation of $25.00. 

     My question is, I would like to send letters to coporations asking for donations, but I have never done anything like this before, so where do I begin...how do I chose who to ask??  Help, please!

 

Jennifer

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Permalink Reply by Mari B on February 11, 2010 at 4:57pm
Hi Jennifer,

I've been requesting from business for two years now and what I ask for is a gift card donation for silent auctions (most local business and some big corporations). I have been successful asking them. Gift cards is something easy and it promotes the business by having people going there. I've been most successful with restaurants. Popular places that people know and like to eat. Usually they donate $25 to $50 gift cards but I had business donating more too.
So, when you do a silent auction the bid starts at the gift card price and most times people donate more then the value, since this is for charity. But you can also trade for donations. For example, if some of my teammates like a specific place and they donate on my Avon page the amount for the gift card. It's a great way to fundraise but it requires some work to go business.

I attached a copy of the usual letter I send to businesses.
Here are the 3 paperworks you will need:
1)your personal letter to the business
2)A letter from your walk buddy (stating who you are and that you are fundraising for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.)
3)A copy of the Tax ID letter which most business require in order to make a donation.(I attached)

Good luck, it's a great way to get some donations.

Cheers,
Mari
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Lisa Midnight on March 5, 2010 at 1:28am
You rock! Thanks
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Simpson on February 11, 2010 at 5:08pm
Thank you Mari!
Permalink Reply by Kimberly O'Connor on February 14, 2010 at 2:48am
I sent an e-mail to the New York Yankees. I copied and pasted a letter that I sent out to my family, friends and all of my neighbors. I pasted it in the email and sent it. I did however, get an email back stating that they need, "The Yankees are committed to assisting nonprofit organizations in their fundraising efforts. If you would like the Yankees to consider donating to your next fundraiser, submit your request in writing on organizational letterhead and include the date, time and a description of your event. Please also provide proper contact information, including the name, phone number and address of the person organizing the event. Please note: The Yankees require at least four weeks' notice to consider any request." I sent an email to my walker buddy with the attached email from the yankees asking if they could send me what they are looking for. He did and I printed it out and mailed it to the address that the Yankees gave me. I have not heard anything back yet. So my advice is to send your walker buddy an email letting them know what you want to do and asking if they could send you all the information that you would need in order to send it to the company. Go around to different businesses and looking online at websites. I know that to maybe get money from Bob's Stores you need to talk to corporate. (pretty much everyone wants you to talk to them.) I would say give it a whirl and see where it takes you, you will be surprised! I have attached the letter that I sent to my family, friends and neighbors. I have had a TON of very generous donations. I only signed up a month ago and this is my first time walking. I raised the minimum and for my personal goal of $3,000 I only need $710.05. So I hope this helps and the letter helps. Feel free to edit it to your liking and how it applies to you. Good luck!

Breast Cancer letter 2.doc
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Simpson on February 18, 2010 at 10:45pm
Thank you Megan!
Permalink Reply by Kimberly O'Connor on February 18, 2010 at 3:21pm
I am in class right now and I am getting ready to sell homemade chocolate covered oreos with the pink ribbon on them to sell for $1. I also made lollipops for Valintines day that I was/am selling at my hairdressers. Everyone pretty much loves chocolate and all the proceeds go to the cause. Who will really deny someone money for chocolate? Beats going to spend money on a bag of chips from the vending machine. At least they know me and the cause so why not! I am about to tell them I have them if anyone wants to buy any. I also brought them to my job and sold alot. Like I said, try selling chocolate, doesnt have to be homemade either.
I am an American Sign Language/English Interpreter student and I bought a lollipop mold with the I Love You Hand shape that says I Love You under it. I am sure those will be a big hit when I make them again but for right now, I am selling the oreos to my class. Hope i get alot sold [=
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Simpson on February 18, 2010 at 10:45pm
Kimberly,
Thank you so so much for your ideas!!
Permalink Reply by angela arevalo on February 19, 2010 at 10:17am
hi jennifer!! this may not answer your exact question but it will help with raising money!!! i am a PARTYLITE consultant and i work with participants like yourself fundraise to reach their goal!! it is VERY SIMPLE!! so check it out and let me know what you think!! visit my website @ www.partylite.biz/litethefire ....this is an opportunity to earn 50% PROFIT with NO investment!!
Permalink Reply by Heather Fulton on March 1, 2010 at 3:41pm
These are excellent ideas!! Thanks everyone for sharing their fundraising ideas and a copy of your forms and letters that you guys have sent out to request donations. I am soooo excited about doing this walk since it is my first. I am walking in Charlotte, NC. Thanks again!

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