How do I go about getting donations for our self help center?
bieja21963 asked:
I volunteer at a self help center we are in dire need of funding for our center.We are searching for Arts & craft supplies as well as a new van to do boarding home outreach as well as center outtings. We have a page on migente.
brighter_days_sch@migente.com
RANDALL
I volunteer at a self help center we are in dire need of funding for our center.We are searching for Arts & craft supplies as well as a new van to do boarding home outreach as well as center outtings. We have a page on migente.
brighter_days_sch@migente.com
RANDALL
First of all, how many people in your community know about your self help center? The more you advertise yourself, the better.
Have you thought of a fundraiser? Organize a garage sale, auction, a walk, etc to help you raise awareness of your center and to get you the money and supplies you need. Don’t be afraid to contact local businesses for supplies or monetary donations, especially if you do a fundraiser.
Comment by musingsfromtheedge — December 1, 2008 @ 9:19 am
musings is absolutely right on all counts.
However, I’d also like to make this suggestion: try to get charitable donations. I’m assuming your center is nonprofit, so anything donated would be tax-deductible. Merchants donating would lose NOTHING. Get someone who is good at letter-writing, or you can even write one yourself (I’m only 17, and I do it semi-regularly for my church). Here’s the basic letter I use:
1. Introduce yourself and your organization (”My name is Janice Goodwin, and I’m writing to you on behalf of the Derry Community Self-Help Center”).
2. Explain how your organization helps the community (”The DCSHC has provided self-help services for more than 25 years to the community of Derry. These services allow individuals to X, Y, and Z”). It’s OK if this takes a couple of paragraphs, but don’t sermonize.
3. Explain your problem (”Right now, the DCSHC is having funding problems, and without support we may have to cut vital programs. We most urgently need X, Y, and Z, and we were informed that your business may be able to assist us [it's OK to say this even if you got their name right out of the phone book; you WERE informed, because you know they carry at least one of your needs]“).
4. Ask for help in an assertive manner (”The DCSHC would be very appreciative of any assistance you would be willing to give us”). Make this nonspecific - for example, if you ask for free art supplies, odds are good you won’t get them. However, THIS approach allows the following solutions:
a. Free supplies
b. Supplies at their cost or a reduced cost
c. A monetary donation
d. Something more creative
e. The worst they can do is say no.
5. Explain how this would benefit them. This includes that tax-deductible clause.
6. Thank for time and any help they may give, and close.
7. Wait a week and follow up with a phone call.
In my experience, this approach works about 60% of the time, and you can usually get what you want or need.
Comment by living_in_a_bell_jar — December 4, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
lots of phone calls, communication is the key make a plan and beg. good luck.
Comment by candi k — December 5, 2008 @ 5:23 pm