Writing Funding Applications

[vicky]

I've been asked by the primary school to write to some organisations that donate money to good causes. We are after things like play equipment for reception children - sandpits, art, role play sets (nothing massive just lots of little bits).
I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on writing to the companies - I know a lot of you have begged money to set up school projects! I want to steal your begging ideas!
I imagine saying exatcly how much you want and what it's for is vital, who for and the benefits to them. Any other tips?

[Mikey]

As a business owner, I would be looking at what's in it for me. apart from the joy of donating to my local school.

Can the school reference the businesses on the website or around the school, my wife runs a blog for her department and have a listing of all the companies that generously donate material.

As long as you can find an angle that gets their business acknowledgement they can generally be persuaded.

[alldigging]

See if there is a 'voluntary action X' where you live. They have people to help apply for grants.

Awards for all is £10k and easy to fill in.

[cardiffsteve]

In our area, schools have a "development" fund which is either held by the council or by the school.
The school can spend it on outdoor equipment.
Dont know if its the same in your area so ask the council.

[dominic10]

Some companies have what's called a Corporate Charity Account. A quick search on M & S brought up this Ask Marks & Spencer - How can I ask for a donation to charity? which may help. But when a relative raised funds for doing up the garden of a local school for disabled children he found by far the best way to get materials and money was to do a costing of what was needed and then to phone the organisations direct as they seemed to prefer being asked for £x for a ???. When the garden was opened the local paper did an article and all the people who had donated were mentioned by name (unless they requested not to be). Local Rotary, Lions and Roundtables are useful contacts. Do you have any friendly societies or companies local to your area with 'benevolent' roots who support their local community. A large organisation local to me expects to match fund raising - rather than just hand money out. Another had a specific allocation and once it was gone for that year it was gone. Just a few thoughts.

[vicky]

Great stuff, thanks. I shall get my writing head on next week and try not to be too distracted by gardening...