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Old 08-22-2011, 03:37 PM
 
494 posts, read 1,191,558 times
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Hi,
I've been tasked with getting some gift cards, goods, services...basically anything that people will bid on for a school raffle. Other than cold calling companies, does anyone have any tips for getting to companies that usually donate this kind of goods? Thanks in advance.
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Old 08-22-2011, 04:38 PM
 
Location: South South Jersey
1,652 posts, read 3,880,018 times
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My mom and I had to do this once a LONG time ago. IIRC, she just physically went to various places (the raffle tickets were being sold at some sort of 'women's' event, so she hit up various nicer salons, etc.), introduced herself, explained the event (I'm sure she had some sort of explanatory literature with her), and asked. I was only about nine at the time, so I just sort of tagged along. What's really hilarious is that she ended up *winning* one of the donated haircuts/styles (and hating it, no less!).
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Old 08-22-2011, 05:09 PM
 
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Some places may need to go through their corporate headquarters. Either way, get some letterhead stationary, either a real paper, or better an electronic version from your organization that you can use to establish that it is legit. I haven't done it years myself, but it usually was footwork, especially for places near where the event and people are.
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Old 08-22-2011, 06:28 PM
 
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Are you able to directly approach the school families themselves for donations? I know at our school, a lot of the gifts and donations for raffles come from school parents -- i.e., this parent (a hairstylist) donates a free haircut, this parent (a photog) donates a free family photo session, this parent (an event planner) donates supplies for a party... you get the idea. You can really get some quality items this way.

You should be able to get some sort of e-mail/contact list of families from someone on the PTA. If you don't know who the PTA officers are, try calling the school office for the info.

Good luck!
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Old 08-23-2011, 04:54 AM
 
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The best place to start is with the companies and individuals who donated goods and services to your school in the past. And I agree that parents (and teachers) are the next best source.
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Old 08-24-2011, 09:33 AM
 
Location: TX
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^ didthis many years ago with great sucess.
But, yes cold calling was the way to go. Did you get a list of companies that donated in the past?

I had GREAT success with...museums, zoos, sports teams, radio stations, spas etc...donating items and free tickets.
I also contacted my PTA list and found out who has a time share they would be willing to donate the use of. (or a vacation home etc...)
Local resturants were very generous with buy one get one free coupons. Pizza places gave out free pizza coupons. etc...
Try the local wineries too...
You have to have your exempt status number (I believe) and reciepts so they can take the items off thier company taxes.

Good luck... Its ALOT of work!! But get a good committee of people to help and it should raise ALOT of money!!
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Old 08-24-2011, 10:10 AM
 
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Target, Wal-Mart and Starbucks all have in-community donation budgets where they can give local organizations products/giftcards. The managers at these locations will be able to help you out. You'll need the PTA president's signature on a letterhead asking for donations.
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Old 08-25-2011, 01:21 PM
 
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Thanks for the great suggestions . I'm already starting to call...
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