How do I 'cold-call' on stores for donations?

I want to run to a few local businesses to ask them for a donation for the silent auction coming up in 2 weeks. How do I 'cold-call' on stores for donations? I am not shy, but want to make a good first impression. Even if they don't donate this time, I want to leave feeling they might in the future and don't hate me. LOL

I can have the receipt with me, and business cards, what else should I bring? A flyer of the event?

How would you start the conversation?

I hate cold calls. Hate them and I'm dreadful at it. BUT bring a dog with you, if you can. Always helps to have proof of where the money goes......

I always let them know that their business will be mentioned on the program flyer for the event as having donated(if they do). It will help generate business to them. Some people are more prone to buy from establishments that are charity and animal friendly. I have no problems asking for donations in a letter,email or on the phone,BUT in person is a bit harder for me. I'm kinda shy.

Fingers crossed for lots of donations Maryjo!

Trish

I just did all this stuff for my son's school. We started by sending a letter and then following up in person on the letters. I have a sample letter (for a school) if you want it. You can use it to modify.

Are you approaching businesses that relate to animals or any business? If it relates to pets, make the letters focused on THEM and what it does for their business too, not just what their donation does for you.

If you want the sample, let me know via PM and I'll email it to you.

JM

It's also great to have your taxpayer ID number handy if you're a nonprofit, and point out that donations to your group are tax-deductible. That tends to work especially well in December.

I had to find low/no cost veterinarian care and free food for our guide dogs.

I started with letters to potential vet offices, but I did letters because they were pretty far from my home and I didn't have time to drive all over and do cold calls. But, I did do cold calls to give vet clinics info about my dog training classes. I bought Beavis with me since he's a show off and I gave them a package of information to "look over" and then I followed up again a few days later and it worked pretty well.

I got two vets to donate services and a food distributor to supply free food for four growing lab puppies, and this started with a letter, a follow-up phone call, and if they were interested, a visit from me in my Southeastern Guide Dog shirt, more literature and a cute little lab puppy. I did mention that this was all a tax write off and they would be mentioned in our newsletters and such, plus we sent them pictures of the puppies as they grew and both vets and the food distributor really took ownership of the whole experience, these were their dogs too! It was a good experience for everyone.

I hate "selling" things, but if I have to sell something, it's easier if there are dogs and good works involved.