What are the best ways to get people to donate to a charity?

Question

I am working with an organization that needs to raise money for Children's Miracle Network. They are hosting a free throw tournament in October and I need to convince people to register. There will be an entry fee and all participants need to collect "pledges" for how many baskets they can make. I need to attract corporations and prominent community figures to register a team. What are your suggestions on how to do this? Any ideas of who to go to, or marketing ideas? We need to raise as much money as possible for this wonderful charity. Please send your suggestions. Thanks!

Answer 1

Get the corporations some free advertising! Go to your local media and ask for some coverage of the event. You may have to call more than once. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil and you are competing with stories of murder and mayhem when you deal with the news folks. Keep on though and you may catch them on a slow day! Any TV or newspaper articles where corporate sponsors might get good PR will be a draw for them. Same with politicians. If your organization has a newsletter be sure to mention that any sponsors or community leaders will be thanked in the newsletter. Phrase it in the form of "we would also like to thank your office/corporation in our newsletter, would that be ok with you?" That way you are letting them know that they get free PR. Offer to let corp sponsors donate give away items (pencils, t-shirts etc) that will have their name on the items. Or offer to let them put up a sign. You can also put a large sign at the event thanking them, use their logo etc. For the community leaders just contact their office and speak with their assistants. For the corps ask for their public relations folks. After the event be sure to send out thank you cards. You never know when you might need these folks again! Hope this helps, holler at me if you need any help. I used to do this at my old job and loved it! Good luck to you!