Solicitation How-To Instructions
Thank you for helping to secure donations! The more items donated, the more money SBS will earn. It may seem awkward at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll see that asking for donations for your child's school is quite effortless.
Step 1: Make copies of the donation form and sponsorship form
Make several copies of the donation form and sponsorship form and carry these with you as you visit local businesses that you patronize - especially businesses where you are a regular customer.
- Remember all places that you frequent (restaurants, gyms, hair salons, nail salons, places where your child takes classes, as well as retail stores).
- Tip: fill in as much as you can of the forms before you leave it with a business so that the process is as effortless as possible for donors.
Step 2: Speak to the manager
While visiting the businesses, ask to speak to the owner/manager/other decision maker if possible. Feel free to mention any or all of the following talking points:
- Your child attends School of the Blessed Sacrament and hundreds of local families have children enrolled at the school. These families live in the area and frequently shop in the neighborhood.
- SBS serves a diverse community of learners on very limited funding.
- All donations are recognized on the auction website, which will be viewed by over 1,000 individuals.
- Funds raised from the auction will help provide educational programs, professional development, and ongoing vital and safety improvements to the buildings.
- All donations are 100% tax deductible. The PA of SBS is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means that all charitable donations collected are tax-deductible to the extent permissible by law. (Our tax ID is on the donation and sponsorship forms)
Step 3: Follow Up
If a business needs more time to consider the donation further, please leave a copy of the donation form and sponsorship form and say that you will follow up. Remember to fill in the family contact portion of the forms before you leave the copy with the business.
- Ask for the email of the decision maker. Follow up with an email right away (within a day or two so it is still fresh in their memory). You can copy and update the solicitation follow- up email message for the body of the email.
- Follow up again (by email or in person) in a few days if you do not receive a reply.
Step 4: Submit the Donation Form or Sponsorship Form
Congratulations! You got the donation! What now?
- A donation form should be filled out and turned in for each donation. Donation forms and donated goods or services can be given to your child's homeroom teacher. Solicitations are accepted through 2/27/2023.
- Sponsorship forms can be submitted to your child's homeroom teacher. Please note that sponsorship must be received by 1/25/2023 to be included on the invitation. Ad deadline is 2/10/2023.