HOW TO GET FREE STUFF!

As a nonprofit or charitable organization, one ALWAYS wants to maximize what can be offered to the people receiving the organization’s service. Now, I am a STRONG believer in “you get what you pay for”, but when it comes to charity there are many ways to cut costs without jeopardizing the program or service. FIRST, let me CLEARLY state that there are some costs that are necessary in order to maintain the integrity of the organization, but there are others that can be minimized or even ELIMINATED. “How”, you ask???? TWO WORDS….SPONSORSHIP and PARTNERSHIP! In all of my years of volunteering and working with organizations, I have found that there are many Companies with Consciences. These companies are ready and more than willing to give back to their community. Below are some tips and links on how to secure great sponsorships and partnerships for your organization 🙂 .

1. LOCAL SPONSORSHIP: Some of the Best Sponsors are companies that are operating in the same community that you service. There is a much higher chance of your organization securing a sponsorship with a local company. These neighborhood businesses are often excited to help support the people, who are keeping them in business. They see sponsorships as ways to connect with the community and market their business . So, before you go online to research how to partner with a MAJOR conglomerate, take a walk around the corner to your local businessman or woman.

2. LOCAL PARTNERSHIP: Some of  the BEST EVENTS have been executed through partnerships as well. Look around your community to see if there are other organizations with like missions. Share the spotlight, Share the cost, Double the giving! Also, if you are a charitable organization without a 501C3 try working with a 501C3 organization through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)*

*http://www.nonprofitrisk.org/library/enews/2007/enews052307.htm <—-More on MOUs

3. SPONSORSHIP LETTERS: I could go into detail on how to  write a Sponsor letter, but I think the gentleman on hubpages did an excellent job! Check out the link below for a great review and sample on the sponsorship letter process.

http://acomprof.hubpages.com/hub/Sample-Sponsorship-Proposal <—– Sponsorship Proposal Sample

4. SHARED SECRET: I stumbled upon this little secret a few months ago and I am very excited to share it with YOU!  Ready…..Good360 formerly known as Gifts In Kind International. The link below will take you straight to a page that explains how it works, but in a “nutshell” this organization partners with MAJOR retailers to offer nonprofits products for FREE or little to nothing. Check it out and see how this remarkable company can be useful to your organization

http://about.good360.org/Charities/How_the_Program_Works <—– Good360

This wraps up todays POST.  Please feel free to share your views on any of the tips mentioned above. Also, feel free to share suggestions that have worked for you. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more…. 😉