Bright ideas always welcomed!

[b]Believers and Achievers, is a Faith based Non-Profit, based in Detroit, MI.

We are fairly new.

If anyone has suggestions regarding how to approach a company who sells computers, for a donation, we'd appreciate your info. Also, if you're going to be visiting the state of Michigan, and would like to have us as a guest or would like to consider partnership, please contact this organization, by email: events@yourbelieversandachievers.org.

Thank you


Ms. Chapman/CEO

Hi,

It's always great to see new people on the community boards. I hope you find (and get to share!) useful information here.

On asking for computer donations - you just need to apply regular fundraising techniques to your target. If it's a large company check their website to see if they have a formal philanthropy program. If they do, follow it - if you don't fall within their giving guidelines, you're probably wasting your time with them unless you have supporters who work there and are influential.

In general: make sure you know what you need and what it will be used for. Find out what the donation could do for the company (for instance, a local company might appreciate the publicity and association with your organization - maybe you can agree to them using a "thank you" quote from you in their local advertising, maybe you can mention them at a local event you run). And find out who at the company supports your organization or knows someone who supports your organization.

Then build a relationship with the company. Let them know what great work you do, and how great other people think you are. Show them why they should think you're a good thing. And be ready to let them know what they can do to help when the time is right.

Also consider that it may be less work to fundraise for money from sources that already support your organization than to get a direct donation from a company who doesn't know you yet.

Computer manufacturing and distribution is a fairly low margin business, it's not like it costs a company a huge amount less to give you a computer than to give cash. So it may be easier to have a broader campaign aimed at companies that already have a connection to what you're doing, and then purchase the computers you need.

You might also find some of the resources in TechSoup's Learning Center on funding useful:
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/funding/index.cfm

And if you're having a hard time getting a new machine, consider a second hand donation, or recycled machine. Check out TechSoup's articles on donated machines in the Hardware Learning Center:
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/hardware/index.cfm


Let us know how you do!

Helen

Ms. Chapman;

Whenever we approach companies, we try to remember why companies exist. That is they are there to return profits to their shareholders.

Then, we try to determine if we have something that will help them realize greater profits, even if not directly. Some times, it may be that their profits will increase gradually over time.

So, I agree that the community awareness of their good will efforts is a good start. In that, I would make sure you know the numbers of your organization. Typically, for profits are accustomed to far more sophisticated numbers than we see at most nonprofits.

As to partnering together, we are ALWAYS eager to partner together with good nonprofits. You can look us up at itmh.org to learn about us and see if we might be a suitable partner for you.