Corporate fundraising

[Adam Richards]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Actually I would tend to disagree. I don't see the teams who come in last every year getting the big bucks, but a lot of the teams who place highly do. Of course, maybe that is attributed to other factors. But anyway, Tide doesn't sponsor a Nascar and tell the drivers to go out there and have fun, they tell them to win. Unfortunately in many companies' and peoples' minds, winning is everything. And I'm not sure how to tell if that is their philosophy or not without straight out asking them (which I wouldn't do). Tell them your team's competition record if you have a good one, if not put even more emphasis on other aspects of the program.

And I'll happily disagree with you. In our rookie year (2004), our team attempted to get our current sponsor (Sun Hydraulics), but they declined because they wanted us to compete first without their help. We got last place at Orlando. In 2005, we approached them again and they basically paid for our entire robot beyond the $6,000 entry fee (extra parts, yards of 80/20, lexan, etc.) and supplied us with engineers and a work area to boot.

[Rickertsen2]

How do other people normally make the first move? IE: email, telephone, in person visit?

This year we are in major money troubles and lack any central push to raise money. I'm doing what i can but its alot for one person. I am attempting to involve the parents among other things.

There is a very large company which has given to our school in the past. I went to the school administration and asked how to contact them and if anybody at the school had good relations with them. I was given the contact info of a person at that company. How do you recommend that i proceed from here? How much should we be asking for from a company like this?

[OZ_341]

Our team lost its prime sponsor in 2002. We had 40 kids and almost no money. We have built back up to 5 dedicated sponsors and several grants through a method of carefully targeted contacts. (and selling FIRST....always selling FIRST everywhere we go!!)

I usually try to send a simple email followed closely by a phone call.

It is better to speak with them personally, but the email gives them a warning that you will be calling. That way it is not such a cold call.

As long as you keep it simple you can also send them a link to your site, brochure or a picture in the email. This also helps them to visualize who you are as an organization before you call.

Just be careful not to overload them in the first few contacts.

Also be sure to ask all of your parents where they work. We have received some nice smaller donations by involving parents places of work. Another great source is smaller community or education grants. Many people spend a large amount of time trying for big name grants when there are smaller grants that are easier to apply for and receive right in your local area.

I hope this helps.

Good luck in your search!!