CompanySolutions

Hi

I'm not sure whether anyone can help me, but we have been approached by a few companies over the last few months wanting to support us by providing a % of their sales to us.

I am assuming that what we agree really needs to be put in writing etc.

My problem is that I just don't know where to start and wonder if anyone can help with a sample ******** or let me know what they do in these circustances.

The companies vary from offering an amount of their online subscription/membership fee to be passed to us, to an agreed amount from sales of plants made through a specific link facility.

All thoughts and advice would be most gratefully received.

Thanking you in advance.

Carolyn

Carolyn,

I am a web designer who works for various charities, I do not have actual fundraising experience of setting such an agreement in place, but I work for a lot of charities who do use cause related marketing to good effect.

A lot of these schemes are setup online as it is easier to monitor where traffic is coming from and automated systems can track who referral fees should be paid to when a sale is generated.

I suppose the key is to ...

a) find products that your supporters will relate to, either by being strongly linked to your cause, or just being good value for money.

b) make sure that transparent procedures are in place for you to monitor how well the campaign is going (i.e. knowing how many people you have referred, and of them how many made a purchase and for what total etc.)

If you are happy the product is good enough to market to your supporters without alienating them, and you trust the organisation will not waiver on their word, then not much harm can come from giving such schemes a go.

I know charities who actively pursue this sort of fundraising campaign without success, so offers falling in your lap is a bonus!

Anyone able to chip in with actual experience of benefitting from an affiliate scheme?

Paul Gardner
Webbed IT

We are a small local community centre and are looking to involve local businesses in our fundraising. Money is usually required to maintain the building which is very old. Does anyone have any advise on catching the attention of and involving small local businesses in our ongoing fundraising needs.
I would alos appreciate any advise in obtaining sopport from larger companies either within the wider area or companies which may support such community activities.