Where to go for donations?

crazy_girl

I volunteer for a small, local charity that have helped me out a lot.

Please can anyone point me in the right direction for sponsors and donations? I've already emailed several big dept stores with no joy.

slig

There was a raffle at an event I was at yesterday, and lots of the prizes seemed to be from small local businesses, eg free first session at a chiropractors, money off a beauty treatment with a freelance therapist. There's a benefit to them in giving away a prize like this because it could get them repeat trade. You're probably better off going for slightly more obscure companies than the department stores who probably get asked all the time.

Also, what about going to companies with an interest in the subject area? Eg booksellers, stationers, publishers.

crazy_girl

Good thinking, thanks

queenlizard45uk

I did this for my work and arranged a summer ball and raffle. I sent letters to nearly every shop and theatre locally. We got sent vouchers, free tickets to shows, a cake, etc...

sams247

When I did this a few years back I also wrote to companies like Mars, Cadburys and McDonalds and had positive responses from all of them. We also asked each person involved in our charity to either supply one small item or suggest someone who would, that was good as we then gained some unusual items, for example offers to do the gardening, helping to set up an allotment, bake 5 cakes etc., all of which we ran a silent auction for

crazy_girl

thanks, these are all great ideas! and thanks a million sams247 too! x

madamv

We also asked local business and hotels and restaurants. We asked over 100 by letter and 50 by email and 20 by face to face. Arm yourself with information and leaflets and go round the small shops in your towns... We raise funds for our county, so that was a good angle to go on.

We received over 60 items which is really very good. It can be very disheartening to get rejection letters, but keep going as many say yes and donate some lovely items.

Also try your local radio and television stations.

Good luck x