Quote:
Originally posted by Aonic
If you're writing a letter to... say... a web hosting company... ::cough:: hypothetically ::cough:: or any company at all, for that matter, how would you go about it? Invite them to a presentation? Start with "To whom it may concern:"?
Any tips? =D
|
First off, I
never recommend a fully "blind" letter. The chances that it will be heeded if you never even bothered to find out who you are sending it to is very, VERY low. (The same is true with resumes...)
You first wish to call the company, and find out who the
decision maker is there that will be the who determines who gets what money. You then address your letter
specifically to that person.
Next, while the company is on the line, ask them "do you donate to schools and groups". If no, go to the next company. If yes, then ask "What are your guidelines and submission procedures for donation requests?" Many companies have a specific person and procedure for requesting funds you
must follow.
Now you have rules, a person, and a guide to a successful request.
In addition, find out what requirements a request must meet to be granted. Once you have that, you know what your approach should be.
For example, many companies will NOT grant money for fees or salaries, but only will grant money for "capital equipment" that can be reused. Therefore, in your letter you stress "your $5K will be used to buy a REUSABLE KIT OF PARTS for educating students in robotics", not "we'll be paying an entrance fee for a CONTEST with your money".
One thing to stress in your letter is that the school is a "501c3 charatible institution", and so all donations to it are tax deductible.
Consider also asking a company for a MATERIALS CREDIT donation. You can often get even small Mom and Pop hardware store operations to donate $100-$200 in an "open account" for you to come in for nuts and bolts. Have them "set up a slip for you" with a total value on it, which is deducted as you use it. It is then closed upon your using up your credit, or at the end of the season. Stores often have this accounting system already in place. Also, the advantage of this method to them is that they are giving and writing off the RETAIL VALUE, yet it only COSTS them their materials costs. What a great deal!
We built our first robot at Huron High 830 TOTALLY on a long string of $100-$200 "material account donations" from lumber yards, hardware stores, plastic sign shops, etc...
- Keith