Too much info in my head!

tigershoes99

Feels like my head is about to implode with all the information in it!

I'm trying to create a database of companies we can contact to ask if they would like to help fundraise for our charity.

The list is so long I fear it's never ending.

I tried to do categories like "transport" and "retail" and "finance"...but now the catagories are never ending as more ideas pop into my head.

Any tips on the best way to do this?

Horace

Too many ideas is a pain. It depends what you want the database to do - what do you want to achieve? Try not to over think things and be simple.

Look at local businesses first before branching out and looking farther afield. If I was doing the database, I would use excel rather than access (this is because I do not have access on my computer), I would list businesses within a 2 mile radius and then spreading out, I wouldn't faff around with retail, transport etc as titles as these aren't really necessary.

tigershoes99

Thanks! I'm using the Open Office equivalent of Excel.

I think I'll go for distance, and have myself a wee gander on google earth.
Thank you!

Savvy_Sue

One key bit of advice I was given, some years ago, when using a grant finding program through the local volunteer organisation: do NOT attempt to make a complete list, and then start applying. Instead, start your list, and as soon as you spot a good match, contact them. Then carry on building up your list - find another good match, contact them.

Otherwise you can end up with such a long list that by the time you've prioritised it, you've missed deadlines and missed some good fits just because you were looking for the perfect fit.

But more importantly, you have to be able to answer the question "what's in it for us?" which companies do have to be able to answer. Publicity - how much, where, a good fit for them? And in an ideal world, you'll find an 'inside man' (or woman) who will advocate for you and tell you how it works in their company.

And what are you asking them to do, to help fundraise for you? We've just had our AGM, held in the fairly fancy offices of a local solicitors. We had a staff / trustee day in another set of solicitors offices - used to hold them in a bank. When we have our van serviced, we only pay for parts, not labour. That's all funds we've not had to spend, rather than money we've raised, but you need to ask for things which are a good fit - the solicitors aren't going to service our van, and we don't want to hold meetings in a repair shop.

We have special events which we sell tickets for, we do some sponsored things, but we also accept 'gifts in kind', so people might do cake bakes for us etc.

I think what I'm saying is that your plan needs to be well focused on what you want, and who you know, as much as which companies to ask for it!

paddyrg

Another reason why in-kind is more likely to get you results is that of value. Giving you £1000 would cost me a slice of my top line, which would otherwise go into stock, or home to my family. However I could provide £1000 of services comfortably in downtime just to keep working and fresh. The cash costs me a lot lot more than the services.

colino

I'm not a fan of exhaustive lists for this. Brain storming with at least one other is very useful and don't forget a lot of multi-nationals with a local presence still have budgets and allocations of management time specifically to spend on their "community face". Focus on a key list of ten big hitters to get the ball rolling (I don't agree with just "trying it out on a friend", you wont get a genuine response or feedback. Presentation of your activity, having thought out all of the potential win-wins is important and understanding how a donator can use the association is just as important as to what you get out of it. Work on your pitch for a long, long time before you pick up the phone/send your mailing, because if it is weak or you focus on the wrong individual/area of business, the door probably wont open for you.

theforumking

contact an email marketing company and get an opt in only email list?

ILW

Are you aware that spamming is actually unlawful?