Helpful Tips

• A positive attitude will increase your chances of success by 100 percent!
• Set a goal for yourself!
• Make a strong personal pledge first.  Your friends, family and colleagues will be more willing to sponsor an event you are committed to yourself.
• Educate yourself and your sponsors about ALS.
• Stress the importance of your sponsors’ donations, no matter how big or small.
• Collect donations at the time you ask.
• Start early and ask everyone.
• Create your own web site to include why you are sponsoring you event, pictures and your goal.
• Use e-mail to ask for pledges.
• Get money from places where you spend it.  Ask businesses to make a pledge in return for your faithful patronage.
• Ask your sponsors about matching gifts.  Many companies match their employees’ contributions to nonprofit organizations.
• Send a flyer before the event and an update/collection report after the event.
• Keep a pledge sheet at your desk all year.  When someone asks you to buy a raffle ticket, candy, magazine, etc., ask for a reciprocal donation.
• Thank your sponsors after the event.
• Save your sponsor list, and fundraising will become faster and smoother each year.
• Keep asking people, even after the event – it’s never too late for your family, friends and contacts to support your efforts!

“Guide To The Ask”

• Approach a potential business/donor with a donation letter
• Suggested Script – “Hi, I’m state your name and I support the ALS Association.  The Association supports patients and families in Arizona with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  I’m collecting donations for our type of event and would love to have something from company’s/store’s name to include as a prize/auction item, etc..  Would you be willing to make a donation to our event?”
• If YES – Fill-in the triplicate “In Kind Donation Form” and leave the pink copy and the Ask Letter with the donor
• If MAYBE – Be sure to take their business card or contact information.  Write your name and phone number at the bottom of the Ask Letter, leave it with the potential donor and tell him/her that you will follow-up with them in about one week.  PLEASE BE SURE TO FOLLOW-UP!
• If NO – Write your name and phone number at the bottom of the Ask Letter, leave it with the potential donor and thank them for their time.

“Where To Ask”

Here are some ideas for donations.  Please be sure to have Ask Letters and triplicate “In Kind Donation Forms” with you when you visit your local services and businesses.

Don’t limit yourself…these are only suggestions to inspire you.  THINK BIG…you may get great stuff for your event!

• “LIFE EXPERIENCES” – Meet a celebrity, spot on radio or TV, write a newspaper column, throw out first pitch at baseball game, birthday in newspaper…things people could or would never do on their own!
• EVENTS - Theatre tickets, Concerts, Movie Packages, Dinner Theatre, Sporting Events, etc.
• RESTAURANTS – Gift Certificates, Dinner at Chef’s Table, Chef to cook in home, cooking classes, etc.
• GOLF – Trips, foursomes (especially in celebrity tournaments), lessons, clubs, equipment, etc.
• TRAVEL Ski packages, condo packages, golf packages, airline tickets, and boat or train theatre events, etc.
• SPORTS MEMORABILIA – Autographed items, photos, bats, balls, boxing gloves, etc.
• WINES – Bottles, magnums, stemware, winery tours
• MUSIC - Autographed instruments, music or dance lessons, concert tickets, dance accessories, etc.
• ART - Paintings, classes, weavings, pottery, photographs, framing, etc.
• * JEWELRY - Fine and/or handcrafted necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, classes, etc.
• * LITERATURE - Autographed books or plays, writing instruments, handmade stationery, journals, bookends, etc.
• * SERVICES – Interior design, teeth whitening, massage, closet or garage reorganization, manicure/pedicure, cut & color, personal trainer, etc.