Fundraising From Local Businesses

User Manual: Fundraising-from-local-businesses

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Fundraising from local
businesses
This information sheet aims to help you get started with applying to local businesses
for small amounts of money or items that are useful to your group, such as raffle
prizes or equipment you need for an activity. It includes advice and tips about asking
local businesses for donations, and some sample letters.
For more help with fundraising, see our other information sheets.

General tips and ideas
Use your local connections
Businesses are more likely to give to people they know. Some companies like to
encourage their staff to get involved in community activity, so may be more likely to
donate to a project that is recommended by someone who works for them. Don’t be
shy about using any connections you have.
If you are approaching local shops it is worth going in person, especially if they know
you. Take a letter saying what you want, printed on your organisation’s headed
notepaper so you can give this to them to back up your request.

Try your local businesses
Most businesses prefer to support groups in their immediate area. Small businesses,
such as greengrocers or local convenience stores, may want to support their local
community. They are less likely to be interested in donating to a group that isn’t very
close by. Even some chain stores and supermarkets prefer to donate to groups based
very near one of their branches.

Look for businesses that are relevant
Some shops are keen to support projects that involve an activity or event that
particularly requires the kinds of things they sell. For example, a gardening shop
might like to donate to a gardening group, or a cookware shop might donate to a
group that runs cookery classes. Use the internet or the yellow pages to find relevant
local businesses. You could ask them for donations of items rather than money – for
example, if you need spades, ask your local garden shop to donate the spades, rather
than the cash to buy them.

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Updated: 12/10/15

Fundraising from Local Businesses ♦ Page 2

Offer something in return
One reason local businesses may donate to your group is if they think this will lead to
them getting more business. Offering them publicity in return for their donation will
encourage them to support you. If you are making printed publicity, or have a
website, Facebook page or Twitter account, offer to include their logo or a sentence
saying that they have supported you. If you are running an event, offer to announce
their support at the event so that everyone knows that they donated.

Ask in person
A small business is more likely to donate to your group if they have actually spoken
to you in person. While sending a letter is a useful way of giving information about
your group, it is important to also visit the business, or phone them up, to explain
who you are and why you would like them to donate. This makes it more personal
and gives you a better chance of persuading the business that your group is
important and needs their support.

Put your request in writing
When you go into a shop or phone up a business, you may find that the person who
makes decisions about donations is not available to speak to. They may also be too
busy to consider your request right then and there. It is a good idea to have a letter
that you can give or send to them, to follow up your request. This should:
♦ Be on headed paper
♦ Be no longer than one side of A4 if possible
♦ Be addressed specifically to the person you are writing to – try to find out their
name before sending the letter.
♦ Include details of what you want the money for, how much you need and who it
will benefit
There are two sample letters on page 3. If you don’t hear back after sending your
letter, follow it up with another phone call or visit. People running businesses can be
very busy, and may need reminding about the donation you have asked for.

Use any established donation programmes
Some big companies have established donation programmes in which the company
gives grants to community groups and charities. In order to apply for these you
usually have to fill in an application form. Companies that have this type of grant
programme are probably less likely to make an on-the-spot donation to your group –
instead they will suggest that you apply for one of their grants. For ideas on who to
apply to, have a look at our Favourite Funder pages.1 You can use our information on
Writing a Funding Application to help you write this kind of application.

1

http://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information-category/raising-money/favourite-funders-for-

community-groups/

Resource Centre ♦ www.resourcecentre.org.uk

Fundraising from Local Businesses ♦ Page 3

Tell businesses how their donation was spent
If you have received a donation once, the same business may be interested in
donating again in future. They are more likely to do this if you write to them,
thanking them for their support and letting them know how your event or project
went. Send a short report, saying what you did and how many people took part.
Include photos and any press cuttings if you have them. Keep a record of the
businesses that have donated to you, and the contact name you have, so that you
can write to them again in future.

Sample Letter 1
Name
Address
Date
Dear Sir or Madam
East Brighton Family Fun Day
I am writing as a member of East Brighton Primary School PTA to ask for your support
for the East Brighton Family Fun Day, a great local event which has been running for
many years. It is organised in partnership by several local organisations, including the
three local tenants’ associations and the four primary schools. These are: (list
organisations).
Fun Day 2015 will have activities for every age and every taste, and enough going on
for a whole day’s outing. The bouncy castle, pony rides, face painting, clowns and
fairground rides always delight the kids, while the line dancing and bands are
enjoyed by everyone. In the arena you can watch gymnastic displays and see birds of
prey go through their paces, or you could try your luck at one of the stalls and hunt
down a bargain at the car boot sale.
The event involves the whole community. Local groups can raise money, and the
school dance groups and choirs put on performances in the arena.
The Fun Day would not happen without the energy and enthusiasm of the local
people who organise it. Unfortunately, enthusiasm in itself is not enough, and the
Fun Day costs a considerable amount to put on. Around £6,500 has to be raised to
cover expenses, which include publicity, insurance, entertainers and bands.
The Fun Day could not continue without the support of the local Council and those
businesses and individuals who have contributed generously over the years. I am
writing to ask if you would be able to make a donation towards the 2015 Fun
Day. Your contribution will be very much appreciated, and acknowledged in our
publicity and the Fun Day programme.
If you would like to talk more about the Family Fun Day and how you could help,
please feel free to give me a ring on xxx.
Yours sincerely
Name

Resource Centre ♦ www.resourcecentre.org.uk

Fundraising from Local Businesses ♦ Page 4

Sample Letter 2
Address to reply to
Date
Dear
Christmas Party
I am writing to you as Chair of Merry Fields Residents’ Association to ask if you would
be able to make a donation towards our Christmas Party.
We are expecting around 80 people to attend this event, which was hugely popular
when we ran it for the first time last year. We provide a 3-course Christmas dinner,
entertainment and a free raffle. We are involving our local primary school, and hope
to have the school choir singing Christmas carols. A local group will do an acrobatic
display and there will be a pianist to serenade the guests.
Many of the people who come to the party are senior citizens who live on their own
and have to survive on very low incomes. Our Christmas Party gives them the chance
to join in the festive season, and is an important community event.
A lot of time and effort is put into the Christmas party by members of the Residents
Association, who do all the preparation, organisation and cooking. We work hard to
make it a successful community event, but we can only achieve this if we are given
crucial support by local businesses like yourself. The total organisation of the party
costs us £XXX. Any contribution you can make towards these costs, however small, is
much appreciated. We are also looking for gifts for the raffle, decorations for the hall,
contributions of food, and all sorts of other things.
Everyone who has supported the party will be credited on the day, and in any
publicity.
If you think you can help, either with a cash donation or a gift, please contact me at
xxxxxxx, or send a cheque, made payable to xxxxxxxxx to the above address.
Thank you for your support,
Yours sincerely
Name

Resource Centre ♦ www.resourcecentre.org.uk



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