Raffle Prizes from Retailers?

cara09

Hi,

I am holding a raffle at a charity support meeting next week in Liverpool (30 people expected). (I live in Bristol) The money from raffle tickets sales will go to the national charity that supports people with a rare genetic condition. I was thinking of asking local retailers like supermarkets for gift vouchers, Hotel Chocolat for a box of chocolates etc for example to donate raffle prizes in return for them being mentioned on the charity website and social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Has anyone had experience of doing this or know the best way to go about this.

Many Thanks,

Cara

Poppy9

Major chains will normally refuse as they get so many requests from schools, local charities etc. and refer you to HO.

Smaller retailers will be more likely to support locally as will Football/Rugby teams by donating signed shirts/balls.

You could put together hampers by asking family/friends for a donation. I always did a booze hamper, chocolate hamper and M&S hamper.

DSmiffy

cara09 wrote: »

Hi,

I am holding a raffle at a charity support meeting next week in Liverpool (30 people expected). (I live in Bristol) The money from raffle tickets sales will go to the national charity that supports people with a rare genetic condition. I was thinking of asking local retailers like supermarkets for gift vouchers, Hotel Chocolat for a box of chocolates etc for example to donate raffle prizes in return for them being mentioned on the charity website and social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Has anyone had experience of doing this or know the best way to go about this.

Many Thanks,


Cara

Hi there, in my exoerience, I've always found that most retailers ask for a donation request to be put in writing to their head office, especially so for supermarkets, marks and spencers and other well lnown retailers. I think it's because they get asked all the time. You'll be better off asking small independent retailers and buisness in your local area who would benefit from some free promotion by being linked to your event.
Hopt that helps

newmrslockwood

we usually find that asking local retailers usually give to our raffles ect. but we are a small local charity in a village with lots of local contacts. hope that helps.

Lizzieb151

I have just done this for our local school tombola, you will need to write a letter to give them. And usually you have to collect from your local store.

Ones who were helpful were Boots, Cargo, Cath Kidston, Sainsburys, Tesco, Wilkinson (4 weeks notice is required), Cineworld, Empire Cinemas, Homebase, House of Fraser and depending on where you are - our local tourists attractions gave us vouchers for days out. Even local pubs & restaurants gave us vouchers for meals.

Larger companies i.e. Hotel Chocolat, Marks & Spencer don't donate but I did just sit here and email every company I could find.

Good Luck

mcduff16

Hello

What did you put in your email when requesting donation prizes? Thanks

LEJC

Several years ago the local playgroup my son attended needed extra funds for a soft play area...we wrote to mainly the local companies and shops asking if they would be in position to donate an item that could be used in the raffle/auction we were holding

In the letter we detailed a little about the playgroup and what it would mean to them to have the soft play area and took a pic of the children which we incorporated into the letter...we tried to keep it reasonably short but factual and at the bottom thanked them for any contribution they could make to help the play area become a reality...

we then hand delivered the letter to each shop or business with a reasonable radius,together with some contact details of whom they should contact if they were in a position to help...

I wont name names of companies but some were very generous with their offers...a pizza takeaway offered a child's height in pizzas,local florist a bunch of flowers,we received vouchers from hairdressers,toys from the toy shop,and a lovely very generous hamper from the local supermarket, and fruit from the greengrocer to name a few things....the local newspaper sent a few items as did the locsl football and rugby clubs...



It was a lot of hard work and probably as others have said its best to stay local or pick companies who have an association or link to the charity you are raising funds for...

Also dont forget anyone who does contribute gets a thank you letter too

Best of luck with your efforts

pepper75

if you have a large tesco near you ask in store for the community champion and they should be able to help you will still need a letter but they can sort in store rather than h/office