How to Ask For Donations in a Recession

Charitable contributions sometimes increase during a recession.

Few people enjoy visiting the management of a business to ask for charitable contributions to a not-for-profit organization. Add to this angst the fact that the recession has tightened many companies' bottom lines, which seems like it would also reduce charitable contribution budgets. There appears to be a lot against you in searching for donations. However, in a recession there are unique opportunities to partner with a company to get donations and, in the process, build long-term relationships that will be mutually beneficial for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Company website
• Thank-you cards

Instructions

Create Mutual Benefit

1. Provide a benefit for the company you seek the donation from that extends beyond a tax deduction. Demonstrate how donating to your organization benefits them in a tangible way by providing references from companies you are partnered with.

2. Host charitable events as often as possible. Partner with the drama or music department of local universities for entertainment. Seek partnerships with professional sports teams, as well.

3. Ask for products instead of cash. This helps a firm liquidate excess stock and you can use the donation in a drawing, door prize at a charitable event or a raffle.

4. Market the donors on your website or at your events. Highlight donors, one at a time, on your website or social networking site.

5. Provide specific opportunities at your charity events for donor companies to meet with other companies and share about what they do. These are good networking opportunities at a minimal cost.

6. Document the value you have created for the company, and ask for a donation. Many will see the benefit of the relationship and some will donate.

Other Methods

1. Make giving easy. Put payment service links or a payment mailing address on your website. Accept tangible goods, securities, planned giving and other non-cash items.

2. Offer a variety of physical locations to give. Utilize charitable partnerships to place giving opportunities there. Partner with churches or civic organizations as is applicable.

3. Hire a call center service to ask for donations, and be aware that they can be expensive. Verify that the service has quality controls in place to prevent it from harming your image.

4. Market your charity door-to-door with a professional brochure. Include testimonials from who you have helped and from businesses you have partnered with in the endeavor.

5. Demonstrate need. Offer specific targets for how much you need, and list services that you will have to cut if you fail to meet them.

6. Show that your company is efficient and that a high percentage of your donation is utilized locally, if possible. People often want to help locally, but want to be sure they are using scarce donation funds wisely.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a talented graphic artist to design a t-shirt or wrist band with a catchy phrase.

• Be consistent in your partnerships.

• Always be thankful.

• Set realistic goals.

• Find a tangible way to show value, such as offering redeemable coupons at your events that the donor can track.

• Find donors who will offer matching grant challenges among companies.

• Seek substantial discounts instead of free items.

• Avoid being pushy, but still be persistent.

• Monitor the attitude of your staff closely.

References

• Micro Giving: How To Get More Online Donations: Tips for Charities & You!
• Doc Gathering Place: 5 Ways to Boost Your Corporate Donations Program at Work
• Apogee Components: How to Get Your Donation Request Letter Thrown in the Trash
• Linkedin: What's the Most Effective Way to Solicit Corporate Donations/Media Coverage for a Charitable Event?

Resources

• School Auction Blog: How Can I Get a T.V. Donation for my Son's School Fundraiser?
• Wish Upon a Hero: Everyone Has a Wish