How to Get Donations for a Business
Getting donations for a business necessitates a certain amount of self-confidence, along with courtesy and humbleness. People relate to those who are grateful and respectful enough to say thank-you for even the smallest of donations. Knowledge of the business and what the donations are being collected for is essential. People who donate usually want to know how the business will use their donations and whether a business is worth donating to.
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Things You'll Need
- Business plan, long-term and short-term
- Financials
- Brochure
- Helpers
- Computer and printer
- Give-away item
- Website
Instructions
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Know the Business
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Have a 5-year business plan that will outline the goals of the business and what you or the owner intends to accomplish during the next 5 years. A 10-year plan is also helpful to show any prospect that is interested in donating a large sum. People donating to a business want to know how the business is benefiting the neighborhood and how it is going to continue to do so.
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Professional businessmen who are interested in donating to a business may want to see the financial status of the business. If the business is just getting started, this may only be a projection, but it will serve as a guideline to let people know how the business will spend the money they are donating.
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If it is an established business, a well-planned-out brochure showing what services the business can provide, along with testimonials, is helpful to prospective donors. If the business is just getting started, a brochure showing what services will be provided, along with contact numbers and who to contact, is a helpful tool.
Campaigning
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Running a campaign to solicit donations can be very time-consuming. Gathering people to help and delegating tasks is the key to a successful giving campaign. Breaking tasks down into manageable pieces helps organize the campaign. For example, ask someone to answer phones; ask another person to make phone calls. Still another person can be making out deposit slips and handling the money matters.
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Using the computer and printer to design clever flyers to post in prominent places around where you want to collect donations will get attention and let people know you are serious. Advertise on the flyers that you are giving away a free item with a certain amount for a donation. For example, with a donation of $5, the donor will get a free pen or pencil. A business can supply items for the free give-away as its donation.
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A website can be developed that can take donations online. Many politicians use this method to raise campaign funds. There are many nonprofit businesses that collect money on the Internet. For example, you can donate online to humane societies and many breast cancer organizations.
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One of the main ideas to keep in mind when campaigning is that you need to collect donations from individuals, as well as other businesses. When collecting from businesses, find who is responsible for making the decision to make a donation and approach that person. Communication with one person through all transactions will avoid confusion and save time.
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Most people would rather give to a nonprofit organization than to a regular retail business. However, if the business you are considering is needed in the community, there may be other businesses that will donate to get it started. For example, if the community needs a business that produces medical devices, other businesses such as doctor offices and dentists may donate to get the business started. Nonprofit organizations are often eligible for federal grants. Ask for grants from foundations and corporations as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Approach people or organizations with the attitude that you have something for them, not the other way around. They will be more apt to contribute to something if they know they will get something in return.
