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RE: How do we attract more sponsors?
 

Larger companies get this kind of request all the time.
The approach I' ve found best from other fundraising projects is to send a well written letter outlining the purpose of the organization and how the donors donation would help. The main purpose of the letter is to announce that I will be visiting or calling to ask for a donation - I always make a personal contact - in person, or by phone if the distance is too great. The advanced warning makes my personal contact easier because they are not caught off guard.
Being polite and complimentary of their product doesn' t hurt either.
I would further suggest you stay focused on why you need their help. Other than explaining the recognition they will receive, don' t presume you can tell them how they will see increased sales, etc.
If your doing an auction, or something simillar, make sure you are getting a reasonable amount of money for the product the donor gives. For example, if a company donates a $200 item, don' t let it go for $20. The company who donates the item will far more pleased to hear that their $200 item brought in $250. Conversely, they may be insulted if it only brings in $50.
Don' t combine items; that is, if one company donates a dozen arrows and another company donates a bow, give/auction them a way seperately - not as a package. Packaging them together could be insulting. In the example I mentioned, the company that donated the arrows might feel their donation isn' t appreciated: Nobody would bid on the bow just to get the arrows.
Lastly, don' t make too many contacts at one time - space them out. This isn' t a fun task and your attitude will be effected as you make the calls, especially if you have a few rejections - a negative attitude will likely produce negative results.
good luck