Donations not only provide financial support to charitable organizations, but through the donation of tangible goods, they also provide needed items that would have otherwise had to be bought. Furthermore, many people may not be able to provide cash gifts but would be willing to part with their gently used items, such as furniture, to help a cause.
Instructions
1. Determine what items you need. If you need furniture, what pieces and how many do you need? Do you need bedding? If so, how much and what size? Make a list of all the items you need with as much detail as possible.
2. Determine who has the types of items you need. Are you looking for new items to be donated by businesses? What business have these items? Are you open to gently used items? Are there families that would have these items to donate? If so where are they and how can they be reached?
3. Create a letter and/or brochure. Outline what your charity does, including its goals and mission. List the items needed and for what they'll be used. If you'll be providing any sort of "gift" or acknowledgment (such as a T-shirt or a plaque with donors names) indicate that as well.
4. Network online and off. Encourage members of the charity to spread the word about the charity and its specific needs. The charity should have a website and social networking pages that can reach a greater number of people.
5. Arrange to pick up donated items. Depending on the types of tangible goods your children's charity needs, some people are willing to donate but won't have the means to deliver them. See whether a member of the charity or a moving company can donate use of a truck to pick up donated items.
6. Send a thank-you letter and tax receipt (if its tax-deductible donation). Let donors know that you appreciate their donation with a thank-you letter. If you have a 501(c)(3) organization that provides tax deductions to donors, be sure to include a receipt or notice in the letter that indicates the dollar value of the item.
7. Send a follow-up letter sharing the impact of the gift. Let your donors know how the items were used and how they've benefited the children you work with. Donors are more likely to give again if they know how their donation made a specific impact on the lives of children.
Tags: items need, donated items, donors know, gently used, gently used items, have these, have these items