What is the best way to get prize donations from companies?

Question

I have a golf outing coming up soon. Over the years I have gotten wing parties and pizza gift cards, a few small golf items from small local restaurant chains ect...but how to I get some really great prizes donated? I have over 80 golfers attending this outing and each year it keeps growing, I just need more things to be able to raffle off. Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Putting a sign of sponsors is good or any advertising that makes a donor look good.

Answer 2

To get "some really great prizes donated" you need to have a really great cause, something that gets, at least, a lot of local press, something community-minded. If your tournament is for the benefit of your Texas Hold' em League then you might have a problem. But if it's for the benefit of the local High School Football Team, companies love to be associated with that type of effort. It's just the community-minded thing to do.

Answer 3

Ask every single person you know personally that will be playing in it to ask their employer for donations. Also talk to small businesses around town. Many of them will do almost anything to get their names out there.

Answer 4

You need to be able to show the companies that they will get great value for their donation.  So the key is probably who these 80 people are participating.  Are they prominent citizens of the community who might purchase high end items or services from a sponsor?  Or are they just 80 hacks out drinking a bunch of beer and hoping to take home some prize.  Put yourself in the sponsors shoes.  What would you want in return for a big prize donation?  Give them that and they will donate.