Asking for Corporate Support

06/01/2005

He who doesn't know the road delays even the one that does.
Kikuyu , African Proverb

We recently ran across a nifty guidebook for non profits. The book, Managing a Nonprofit: How to Write Winning Grant Proposals, Work with a Board, and Build a Fundraising Program (Avon, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 2002) by John Riddle offers practical advice on such topics as building a nonprofit team, working with a board of directors, improving your management skills, fundraising, special events, obtaining grants, public relations, marketing, and making the most of the Internet. Here is an excerpt on the many types of corporate support:

"One type growing in popularity is the matching gift. Many corporations will match the contributions of their employees. Some match dollar for dollar while others match at a ratio of two to one or even three to one. Remind everyone who donates to your organization to check with employers about matching gift programs.

"A second type is the gift-in-kind. Some companies look for year-end tax breaks. Donating products from their inventory is not the only type of in-kind gift available. Donations of office furniture, copier paper, and other office supplies can usually be obtained from local businesses. Get to know the managers in the purchasing department and send them your monthly wish list.

"A third type is the cash gift. American corporations give away more than $6 billion every year. While this represents only about 5 percent of the total dollar amount donated, it is an important source of revenue for many agencies. Some companies prefer to make a large number of small gifts within their community, while others still support large dollar grant requests.

"A fourth type is the loaned executive. In this kind of program an employee is released to work full- or part-time with a nonprofit agency for a specified period of time (up to one year) while receiving full pay and benefits from his or her corporation. Your local United Way office should have a list of corporations participating in this program."

For ideas on managing early childhood organizations, check out Exchange's guidebook, The Art of Leadership: Managing Early Childhood Organizations at http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0627

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.