Jeanne Yocum ⋅ Durham, NC Tuscarora Communications, Ltd. ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi, Jim,

Here are some things to consider, based on my experience as a board member for numerous charities over the last 40 years and also having worked in corporate departments that managed company donations:

1. Corporations of any size generally have guidelines on their websites about the types of charities they support. This will take some research, but once you find such a section on a website, it will provide all the information you need, including how to reach out to them. Some companies even have put the entire process online so that you can fill out an online form. Pay attention to what information they are asking for because this is helpful in putting together your sponsorship packages (i.e., it will tell you what types of info corporations want before putting $$ into your effort.)

2. You need a write-up about the details of the event, the cause you are supporting and how the sponsors will be recognized throughout your marketing and at the event. Consider setting up three or four levels of sponsorship packages that lay out exactly what the sponsor will get in return for X amount of dollars.

3. You've probably already done this, but make sure you reach out to the programs you're raising money for to solicit their help in getting the word out to their constituencies.

4. Consider finding a media sponsor. This can sometimes backfire because other media will often choose to ignore events sponsored by a competitor. However, if you can get a major media outlet (major daily newspaper or TV network affiliate) they can give you enough coverage to make up for the loss of other media coverage.

Good luck with this event and as Shawn mentioned above, consider your first year as just the first step to establishing a truly terrific annual event that can have real impact.

Finally, thanks for your service and for your continued interest in veterans welfare.

shawn behounek ⋅ Houston, TX Hess Corporation ⋅ 30 years experience

Hello Jim,
What a great thing you are doing! I do a lot of volunteer fundraising also and I find it's an organic thing that needs time to grow, so maybe small this year, but every year you should see more traction. I think you are on the right path. Be diligent; keep posting the event on every community calendar you can find--city, local news channels, churches, schools, etc. Also, pick an industry in your area. For me in the Gulf of Mexico, it's Oil & Gas. Once you get 1-2 companies to help sponsor, they will naturally compete with others. (Yours might be manufacturing.) Many times also groups are required to participate in community service-- college clubs and organizations, boy scouts, local grocery stores, etc. are good places to advertise the event for participation. More, work to create a few key champions in these different areas that can help you spread the word. Best to you.

Mark Russell ⋅ Altamonte Springs, FL Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

Thank you for your service, Jim. Many firms, like mine, offer community service opportunities, joint employee and community sponsorship and support along with incentives for our employees to participate and help rais awareness and both matched and direct funding. Please feel free to contact me with the details of what you need to accomplish and where and I can input those into our community outreach.

Aaron Bernstine ⋅ New Galilee, PA Pennsylvania House of Representatives ⋅ 8 years experience

There is a great opportunity to use Social Media in this regard. You can post on a variety of other people's pages and wells and reach thousands of people. Keep up the great work!

Sarah Bates ⋅ Fallbrook, CA Palomar Community College ⋅ 25 years experience

I didn't read any of your previous answers that contained this suggestion, so here goes:

"What's in it for me?" That is the first thought that will go through the mind of any company large or small, that is asked to donate money. Convene your volunteer board and pose that question and answer it. Brainstorm the idea using the local corporate ties you, your family and friends have to your community as possible sponsors. Even invite one member to your board meeting. (A good representative would be the President or CEO of your Chamber of Commerce.) Ask the two veteran agencies who have responded if they would send a rep to your brainstorming meeting. Get up in front, drag in a chalkboard and write down everyone's contributions. Somewhere in that chaotic response there will be answers you can use. Good luck!

Deirdre Allen ⋅ Shawnee, KS Synchrony Financial ⋅ 20 years experience

Many large companies have diversity networks that seek community opportunities to support, financial or with volunteer labor hours. Suggest seeking out groups of that nature. Good luck!

Barron Evans ⋅ Ann Arbor, MI Customer Experience Change Management ⋅ 30 years experience

Jim... foremost, thank you for your service.

Wanted to share something with you that I stumbled upon locally a couple weeks ago where I live (e.g., Ann Arbor MI), where a Farmer's Market is held every Thursday. Amongst other things, I purchased some great mango salsa and non-GMO whole grain garlic & sea salt tortilla chips... here's 'why' I'm sharing with you:

A portion of the proceeds from the company that makes these (+ other) great things are donated to veteran charities; locally, they're benefiting the Ann Arbor VFW chapter. As a cousin of mine leads a VFW chapter in a community along Lake Michigan, I asked the woman at the booth about where else they sell; she said they'll support any post, anywhere ... you would just need to coordinate logistics. 

Not sure this will work for you in Minneapolis, but seems like it would be worth a contact.
Here's the '411;' hope you can find a way to make it work!

COMPANY: Simply Gourmet Fresh
LOCATION: Grand Blanc MI
OWNER: Glen Brittingham
PHONE: 248.802.6129
EMAIL: Glen@RTownSaver.com
WEBSITE: SimplyGourmetFresh.com

Chet Frame ⋅ El Paso, TX Border Business Consultants ⋅ 18 years experience

Good afternoon, Jim. Reaching out to the Veterans' groups was a good first move. You may also want to reach out to hospitals, clinics, psychological treatment facilities as they are stakeholders in our reaction to this problem. You may want to see if there is a VBOC in the area. Did you check with the local chapter of the Jewish War Veterans? They are usually associated with a temple or synagogue or a Jewish Community Center. If you have a Holocaust Museum, check with them.