PTA-UK MINI GUIDE TO WORKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES MINI GUIDE

Local businesses are likely to receive many requests for support, so it is important to approach them in a way that gets your PTA noticed and ultimately encourages them to form a long-term partnership with your PTA and school community.

return. Remember, a lot of small organisations and sole traders are unlikely to have a formal giving policy so you might need to explain not only what you are looking for but why. Larger companies are more likely to have a process to follow. Requests for support will include:

• Donations – raffle prizes, auction • Gifts in kind – practical items

lots and cash gifts

Call upon your parents Start by asking parents what connections they may have. This could range from being an employee or owning their own business to simply being a regular customer or supporter. PTAs tell us that a personal approach made by someone that is known to the business is likely to be more successful than a stranger simply asking for support. Speak to your parents (teachers too) to see what contacts they have and if they would be willing to make a personal approach for support on behalf of the PTA.

Appoint a community officer Give one or two members of the committee the responsibility for driving this forward. Seeking support from local businesses will be time consuming and at times a thankless task but this could ultimately pay dividends. Start by researching what businesses you should contact and identify the best person to approach.

Think carefully Before any approach is made, think about what you are after and more importantly what you can offer in

that your PTA could make use of • Services – such as free printing

• Matched-giving – some companies and promotion • Staff fundraising – small local

may be willing to match or partially match money raised by their employee for your PTA.

businesses may be willing to adopt your PTA as its nominated charity.

Giving back You are more likely to get interest if you can clearly explain what the business will get in return. Access to your parents is a good selling point. Agree what exposure you will give the organisation for their support. This could include an advert in your PTA newsletter, on your PTA website or a mention in the event programme and during the event. Remember to always say thank you. You could ask your pupils to write a letter or award a Thank you certificate, which can be downloaded from our website.

INFO

The full info sheet – Fundraising – working with local businesses is available from pta.org.uk

Working with local businesses TOP TIPS

1

Utilise the contacts your parents and teachers have. An approach from someone known to the organisation should deliver results.

2 When making the

approach, find out the name of the most appropriate person to contact and at all costs avoid generic, Dear Sir / Madam letters and emails.

3 When making the

approach ensure that the organisation knows why you need their support, the difference their support will make to your PTA and what you will give them in return.

4 Invite local businesses to

attend your events. If they are already a supporter this is a nice way to say thank-you. If not, it may just encourage businesses to help out.

5 Keep a record of those

you have approached and their response. Be careful not to take advantage of your supporters’ generosity and remember to pass on these invaluable contacts to new committee members when it’s your turn to move on.

If you’ve successfully cultivated a partnership with a local business then share your hints and tips by emailing editorial@pta.org.uk

PTA-UK Magazine November 2012 31