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I volunteer in a hospital doing craft activities with patients (usually greetings cards).
As craft supplies can be a bit expensive, I thought about writing a letter to local craft stores and see if they would be willing to donate some supplies.
Because I�m not very good at writing this kind of letter, I just wondered if you could please give me some ideas that have worked for you.
I would go visit the store in person, if possible, and talk to the owner or manager. I find that people are MUCH less likely to say yes than if you give them a letter - too easy to just toss it.
Take along pictures of your patients doing crafts, if you can. Be specific in regards to what you want, if they ask you ('we could use white cardstock, marker sets, etc'). Offer to give them "credit" for donating (if you do signs posting activities or things, say that the supplies were provided by xyz store).
if stores do donate, always write a thank you. Consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper and thanking the xyz store for the donation, and send them a copy of it.
You know what I would stop at in a store and donate to? A table that took purchases you make in the store to donate..kinda' like a bake sale table but I could donate a purchase from the store. You could hand out a "wish" list and man it all day or a few hours. I would so donate to that if I saw one in the crafts store.
I thought at one time people had mentioned that SU will sometimes donate to causes like this. I thought I remember seeing someone talking about receiving a box of goodies (retired stuff) to use for a card program they were doing. Not sure how to do that, maybe contact a SU demo.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
I know Joannes will give you 10% off at the checkout after you contact them through email and they send you a letter on how to do it. I did this for my girl scout troop silver award project. I think you just have to email corporate giving or customer service. I threw out the information/link, but I am sure it is on the website.
A couple of years ago I visited Making Memories website and found a link to their donation department. They were very generous and sent a whole bunch of kits to my church, at that time I was teaching different craft projects on a monthly basis.
Wow, many thanks for your fantastic ideas and offers to help me!!! I very much appreciate that!
I think I'll visit some local stores, send a letter to a few manufacturers and see how it goes. I also like the idea of contacting a local paper and ask them to publish an article about the sponsor and the hospital.
Thanks once again and please feel free to post more comments and suggestions here!
Stampin' Up! only donates to charities recognized by the IRS. So you will likely be asked to provide a tax ID# (Most hospitals have a foundation that can 'sponsor' your craft activities and therefore be the recognized 501(c) charity accepting the donation from the company)
I know my local Michael's has a sign that states that they do not make donations with the exception of a few national organizations.
__________________ Just taking it one day at a time.....
How to write a sponsorship letter
