Bingo is the Problem

[Lancerlady]

Who do you usually contact at corporations to request donations? Do you send a letter or call?

What I did was go directly to the store manager at each store I went to asked about their non profit sponsorship program that they offer. Hint-You should act like you know what you're talking about. Something like, "Yes, I'd like to speak to the store manager please". Then they usually ask if another manager will do, (Only an assistant manager if the store manager isn't available). Tell them you want to discuss a business matter with them. Then when the store manager comes out, "Yes, I'm here to request information about the non profit sponsorship program your store offers". Then you can keep going and say something like, "I understand that your store offers donations to non profit organizations." And then let him know you have some information about the organization you're asking for and go from there. :) Make sure you ask for the most amount of money that the store can donate.

I submitted information in the form of a folder about the corps and what is involved so they could look it over, then I followed it up with a phone call or go back in to speak to them a few days later. I also gave the non profit number that is registered so they could look it up if they wanted too.

Also if you go to some website's like "Darden restaraunts" (Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Red Lobster) etc, you look on their website's print out an application that they offer for things like this, and then fax your request in, or just go in to speak to a manager to get more information.

Also some places like Wal-mart has a program where you can do a car wash and raise money in the parking lot and whatever money you raise, the store will match the same amount if you go in and show them.

Hope that helps and good luck. :)

Edited November 2, 2006 by Lancerlady

[RFPADirector]

Who do you usually contact at corporations to request donations? Do you send a letter or call?

Write up a nice letter that is short and sweet, to the point! Take it to local businesses like restaurants, supermarkets, etc. My special events class just did this for our major event on Tuesday. Local supermarkets gave us between $10-$25 each in gift cards. They have a budget they have to give away every month. Walmart does too, just get there early in the month before it's all allocated (ours needed 4 weeks notice). Our group had luck getting a gift card from BJ's too. Remember Walmart gift cards can be used at Sam's Club too. Local restaraunts gave everything from free appetizers (TGI Fridays and Texas Roadhouse - they gave us 23 free ones) to $25-$40 in gift certificates for food. Cracker Barrel has gold cards that are good for dinner for 2. They only have a certain number they can give away. Go at the beginning of the month.

I listed this before, but our local bagel chain will donate the unused bagels at the end of business. Call ahead to arrange a date, then bring a letter. We are getting about 300 bagels. Get them Friday night for Saturday morning breakfast...just bring the cream cheese! Our bagel chain is Big Apple Bagels. All three of our local stores will help.

A lot of bigger chain programs require you go through their corporate office. Make sure you hit them up at least 4 weeks in advance of the date you need the items. (we learned that OfficeMax won't even fund arts related programming. bummer)

You can use these collected items for purchasing food (grocery store cards) or to fill baskets for bingo, prizes at a festival, door prizes, etc. We are having a spirit event and the prizes are going to the winners (like wing eating contest, etc).

Call before you ask a local business (like a car dealer or lawyer, doctor, etc). Some companies will have a foundation that gives money out. Make sure you know the name of the person who is in charge of that. Your letter should be addressed to them directly. If it says "to whom it may concern", there's a good chance it may not even be read.

Whatever you do, keep good notes so you know who to ask next year and who to avoid. Also, send a Thank you letter that states the value of what was donated to you. This is how the business can claim it. And a good way to get funded in the future! ;)

Chalet

edit for spelling errors and to further explain bagel info.

Edited November 2, 2006 by RFPADirector

[RFPADirector]

Also some places like Wal-mart has a program where you can do a car wash and raise money in the parking lot and whatever money you raise, the store will match the same amount if you go in and show them.

Hope that helps and good luck. :)

Combine a bake sale with your car wash for more $ opportunities. Don't forget to have breads so people can take them home for dinner (we've always done well with this). Quick breads and bread maker breads. Don't be afraid to sell whole pies. We always sell our Shoo-Fly pies.

We did a bake sale in Feb (what were we thinking!!! it was 37deg) at a Sam's Club. We combined it with hotdogs, soda and hot chocolate (a big hit!!). Another good idea is to have juice boxes. We did a street fair (in Aug) and we sold out of our juice boxes. Parent's were so happy to find something perfect for their kids.

Be persistent about the matching part. Our stores like to forget that you asked about it. Ours also limits the match up to $300. Might be different elsewhere.

Yes, there's something wrong with me....I like to fundraise! :P

Chalet

[InHiFiStereo]

I wish a lot more of us in this activity had problems like you Chalet. Thanks so much for all your wonderful ideas.

[AzEuph]

I was thinking about this the other day but why not hold non-drum corps competitions. During the off-season hold local marching band, color guard, winter drumline shows. I am not sure how profitable these are but it also helps with recruiting as well.

[LER Director]

This has been one of the best threads I've seen on here in a long time! We still run bingo as we have a winter guard and hope to reactivate the corps next season. Although they are older we DO have some younger patrons coming and we hope to hold our own when the casino opens here next year. As far as sponsorships, etc. we seem to only get limited success with these as they tell us that drum corps doesn't involve enough people. ie why give to a corps with 30 kids when they can give to Boys baseball and hit 600? As far as the grants, if ANYONE can point us in the direction of where these foundations are, we will gladly commit the time to write. We have success with our one and only local foundation here in town but can't seem to get any further as all the ones we've tried say we are out of their geographical area. Also, anyone have info on the new "keep the kids healthy" programs? Seems like drum corps and keeping kids off their butts just go together well. Thanks and keep the info coming!

[RFPADirector]

As far as the grants, if ANYONE can point us in the direction of where these foundations are, we will gladly commit the time to write.

We just got funded through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. They take money from the Commonwealth (almost wrote state) and the National Endowment for the Arts and put the money in a pool. There are organizations that represent each section of the state. Here is the information for your region:

Zach Flock, Program Coordinator

3 East 4 Street, Suite 10

Erie, PA 16507

Phone: 814-452-3427

Fax: 814-452-3128

zachf@artscouncilof erie.org

http://www.artscounciloferie.org

Serves: Erie, Crawford, Warren

They just gave out the grants for this year, but maybe next year. You can download the forms online here: http://www.pacouncilonthearts.org/pa_partn...ntact.cfm?pid=2

In our area you don't get funded for more than $3000. They like to offer to as many programs as they can. They spread the money out between more groups. They funded our small indoor percussion. They will not fund for competitions (they won't sponsor a show). Hope this info helps!!

Also, the Erie County Public Library has the searchable database I mentioned in an earlier post. Here is their website: http://www.erielibrary.org/magnewdata.html They say that you can search the database for free. They may offer classes on how to write grants, etc. Our library does for a cost.

Hope this helps!!

Chalet

[RFPADirector]

I was thinking about this the other day but why not hold non-drum corps competitions. During the off-season hold local marching band, color guard, winter drumline shows. I am not sure how profitable these are but it also helps with recruiting as well.

We will be helping with an indoor show this year. I will let you know how it works out. I do know that if you sell ads, get trophy sponsors, do extra things like best director (kids put their change in them), candy/bear/flower/whatever grams, button makers seem popular (insert witty phrases here). I also would use excess flag material to make kiddie flags. I always see kids walking around with these. They sell them for $5-$10. I've also seen practice flags for sale (full size on pole for like $15-$20 or more). I always have extra flag material. You could make mini version of show flags, or just solids, stripes, whatever. You've already budgeted and paid for the material, why not put it to good use? You can bust out a plain practice flag in 5 to 10 minutes.

Chalet

[RFPADirector]

This hasn't been mentioned yet. It could be a big money maker if you have enough people. Scrip is selling gift cards to established businesses. You get people to buy them for face value, you make a profit by buying them for less than face value. Each one's profit margin is different. We use this company http://www.unitedscrip.com/ There are others across the country I'm sure. A local marching band does this weekly and does really well. You can purchase gift cards for your grocery shopping, gifts, gas, etc. Try to market it that you use this stuff anyway, just prebuy it and help out our corps.

Don't forget igive.com for your online shoppers. I always buy my husband's LL Bean shirts through Igive. Ebayers can do it too. You must enter a store/ebay/etc through the mall at igive.com to get the credit. Magazine subscriptions give a huge percentage. I renewed my Oprah magazine for $24 and Renaissance got $8.

Chalet

[RFPADirector]

Here's something we considered doing when I was a music major way back. The plan was to have a dinner/dance where the music would be a jazz band made up of alumni and current students. The event was going to last many hours, so to save chops and have continuing music, we were going to rotate players throughout the night. We wouldn't rotate everyone all at once. The plan was to make it seemless. We were going to market to senior citizens and play big band music. The plan was to have it at a local firehall which would donate the space. The caterers were giving a huge discount as well. Tickets would be at a cost. The plan was to have other things like a 50/50 etc too.

Basket Raffle

Give each section a theme. They seek out donations to fill their baskets. The baskets are raffled off. People buy chances to drop into the corresponding bucket for the prizes they are interested in. Display at show, pancake breakfasts, local mall, bingo, wherever. People do not need to be present when drawing winners. Ideas for baskets:cooking, movies, date night, margarita party pack, family game night, spa/shower, sports (one team, or golf, skiing, etc), manly, crafts, etc.