Asking Local Businesses to Support You

• Try to identify local businesses that have supported art, school, or community projects in the past.
• List companies and businesses that already do business with your school or library
• Write a letter detailing what the project is that you are asking them to sponsor, the monetary support needed, what the school, library or community can take away from the exhibit. Try to address the letter to the person in charge of charitable giving or a personal contact rather than simply sir/madam.

How to Make an Appeal: To make an effective appeal to business, it helps if you have some understanding of why firms give. Reasons for responding to an appeal include the following:
- to “do good”, particularly in smaller firms where the proprietor gives through his company to the same causes he supports personally.
- to promote a local image and to create goodwill by being seen as a good neighbor and good citizen.
- to improve employee relations and motivation – fundraising can build team spirit and employees like to feel their employer cares about good causes.
peer pressure - because other companies in their industry or the locality give.
- to be associated with causes that relate to their business, for example the motor industry with environment, pharmaceuticals with health, banks with economic development.
- to acquire publicity.

What to Say: You should state clearly, succinctly, and without using jargon, the following:
- who you are (don’t assume they know who you are)
- what expertise your organization has (try to show that your charity is well-run and efficient)
- how your work benefits the local community - who your clients are and what you do for them
- why you need the money
- why the project is important and how urgent the need is (include what is different, unique or innovative about this particular project)
- what you are asking for – and, if money, then how it will be spent
- why you think the company should support your cause (what is the link between your group and this particular company?
- what they will get out of giving.