Tips for Getting In-Kind Donations for a Budget-Friendly Charity Event

Don't be timid about asking for donations for your party. Think of the request as participating in a "favor system" or karma! After all, the more money you save the more money you can raise for your charity. Surely there is something you have of value, other than cash, that you can "repay" them with. Do you know a "mommy blogger" or "Facebook fanatic" who can spread the word about their business? Think about how you can help those who help you and everyone wins!

Think About What You Need

• First off, you need to decide what kind of event you are going to have. Is it a straightforward party where people will simply donate money or an event such as a jog-a-thon? Both of these ideas are fab ways to bring in the bucks, but your basic costs will be different.
• For a traditional party, you'll need items like food, drinks, and plates, all of which can add up very quickly. For a jog-a-thon you may want to provide the runners with bottled water or printed sheets of paper to make it easier for them to tally up the money they've made for each mile they've logged.
• Make a list of everything you'll need, from paper party goods to auction items to table and chair rentals, and include these items when you're making requests for donations.

Practice Your Pitch for Donation Requests

• Ever get a phone call from a telemarketer who is fumbling their papers while trying to pronounce your name? It's a total turn off. No, you're not a selling anything, but the same kind of "get to the point" response so I can "get off the phone" is what you'll get if you don't have your "spiel" down pat. Be prepared: Time is money!
• Start your donation procurement as far in advance as possible; at least 6 weeks prior to the event date.
• Write down your donation request script and practice it (a lot!) before your actual pitch.
• Briefly introduce yourself and your reason for the call.
• State any thing that you have to offer, such as an event with a large attendance of community members.
• Consider wrapping up the intro with more of a business statement as opposed to asking for help, such as "I was hoping you could work with us in exchange for exposure at the event."

Sample Phone Script:

"Hi, my name is Pat Quinn, and I'm a local mom with a son that has leukemia. We're throwing a Party for the Cure on March 28th through my son's school and I was hoping that you could help us out with a donation of a gift basket for our auction in exchange for exposure at the event."

• Take notes! If a person or business says, "Call back later," then call them back! If they ask you not to call again, respect their request.
• Always thank them for their time and consideration.

Give Back to Those Who Give To You

• Promotion is golden! Every business wants (needs) exposure and that is something that most charity events can offer as a thank you for their donation.
• Sponsor Signs - Perhaps the easiest and most direct way to show that a business has helped you out is with signage at the event. You can make tabletop cards or big banners. If you have a friend with a print shop, ask for their help, or get the craftiest person you know to create signs.
• Thank You Emails or Invites with Links - If the business has an online presence, than online promotion in any way, shape, or form should be valuable to them. Consider offering sponsored space with links to the businesses that donate to your event in your email invitations or thank you correspondence. (Don't be a spammer! Some schools or organizations have rules about this practice, so check it out beforehand.)
• Online Promotion - From Twitter to Facebook, there are a gazillion ways you can promote a business online. Or, if you know a blogger or online writer, ask them to post something with a link about the business that has helped you out.
• Media Hits - A Party for the Cure is always newsworthy. Contact the local paper, a community newsletter, even a TV or radio station, and ask them to cover the event. It's a good bet that they'll mention those who have donated with a big thank you!