Greencore Fundraising Targeting Local Businesses_Secondary

FundraisinG Middle & High School Students How to Target Local Businesses Local businesses love to stay up to date with youth programs in their area to further develop their community knowledge and understand how they can help support your program. The goal of this communication is to see if they would purchase bags for their business to use, or if they would pass along the information so employees can purchase your product. There are several ways to set up this communication: sending sponsorship letters, sending an email, or simply having a face-to-face meeting with a manager.

It is important to keep in mind that the businesses you are reaching out to will likely want some form of marketing in exchange for their sponsorship. A few ways you can give them exposure includes:

1. Putting their company’s logo on the back of your program’s t-shirts 2. Placing their logo on your organization’s website 3. Including your sponsor’s name in a local newspaper article if one is written about your fundraising efforts 4. Posting a thank you note on your organization’s social media pages Each of these examples not only encourages your sponsors to keep supporting your organization, but it also ensures that they feel appreciated for supporting you in the first place.

MAKE a plan!

Before any communication can be set up between your organization and businesses, it’s important to create a plan for how best to go about it. Initially, it is a good idea to create a laundry list of local businesses you believe it is worth reaching out to. Then you can decide how you should speak with them. Maybe you email every business, or maybe you do a mix of methods depending on the type of business or the connections students may have with the business. Once you have a plan set in place, it’s time to gather your resources.

Writing letters

When sending a letter to businesses, it’s wise to include as much information as possible, since you will not be there in person to answer questions they may have. Businesses want to feel that they are receiving something that is unique to them, so begin by writing an introductory letter about your organization, what it’s function is in the community, why you are fundraising, and how you are fundraising. Begin the letterhead by addressing the business’ name (or a manager/owner’s name if you know it) and be sure to conclude the letter with a signature and contact information in case they wish to reach out to you.

HOW TO

How to Target Local Businesses (cont.)

Campaign marketing materials

Next, you will want to include a few customer postcards with your campaign code (or at least the website where they can find your code and purchase the products), a few sell sheets so they can see the products, and any other information you feel is important, including marketing exchange information.

emailing

When emailing businesses, you’ll want to include the same letterhead you sent in the mail, the link to the Greencore Fundraising website, and any other information you felt was important to mail to businesses. If you wish to attach the postcards or sell sheets as PDFs on the email, that is always an option, or simply linking the website. And remember, emailing is a great way to set up initial communication and allows you to respond quickly with any questions they may have.

Be sure to check your inbox frequently in case questions do arise.

Meeting with the business

When meeting face-to-face with businesses, there are a few ways to go about it. You could simply walk into the business and ask to speak to a manager, or you could email or call the business to set up a meeting to go over information. Be sure to gain the support from your parents or advisors first because they may have to drive you to these meetings. Carpooling with your friends is also a great way to visit these businesses, plus you will have someone else there to help you answer any questions someone may have.

Once you begin speaking with an employee, it is wise to begin by asking if they are familiar with your program/organization (after you’ve introduced yourself, of course). If so, continue, if not, take a moment to explain what you’re all about. Be sure to thank them if you know they have supported you in the past.

Then transition into explaining why you’re fundraising, continue by explaining the Greencore Fundraising (a complete written script can be found here), and state if there are any marketing benefits they would want to know about. Finally, finish your conversation by asking if they have any questions and if the process makes sense to them. To wrap up your meeting, reiterate that you hope they will support you with your endeavors and that you appreciate them taking time out of their schedule to meet with you.

Each of these efforts can prove effective if done properly. Just be sure everything they receive from you and your organization is proofread, professional, and polished. Businesses not only enjoy hearing about your program, but they love to see a confident youth advocating for what they’re involved in, so don’t be afraid to lock on a strong handshake and explain exactly how they can support you.

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