As I mentioned earlier, most companies have a budget for donations. Unfortunately these budgets are set well in advance and it is often difficult to get on the list. If you hold a fund-raiser each year and know well in advance when it will be held, you should take time to apply for donations. My Rotary club has an event called Cabaret they hold at the beginning of May each year. This is a very successful fund-raiser and they raise around $100,000 at this event. The event has sponsors, and donations that are used for silent and live auctions. The point here is that they are planned well in advance of the event and the sponsors are solicited a year ahead. If you are part of such a group with a reputation for supporting local and international projects, you will have a better chance of getting donations from businesses. Asking for donations should always be done through current business relationships. One of the things we have learned is that large donations only come from those organizations that already have a business relationship with one of the members.

There is an opportunity to further the relationship by following-up and letting the donor know where the money from the event has been distributed. This will keep the relationship going and also the company will welcome members of the organization when further donations are needed. I just want to emphasize that it is the relationship that is the most important piece.

Do not be afraid to ask for a donation, especially when there is a previous relationship with your organization. This may seem like a cold call but in reality it is a luke-warm one. If your cause is well publicized the potential donor will be well aware of the event.