Here’s a template for a basic donation request letter to send to business owner’s. Generally, a template is frowned upon in the fundraising world. But, in the case of writing to a business asking for a donation for an auction item, it is necessary to be succint and make your point in a professional manner. Here’s how…

(Group’s Letterhead)

Date

Business Owner/ Store Manager/ President’s Name

Business Name

Business Address

City, State, Zip

Dear (Owner’s Name):

I’m writing on behalf of (organization name). Our group is (quickly explain who you are and what you do). We need to rase funds to (describe your group’s need or mission) and we are willing to work hard to raise these funds.

(Owner’s Name), we need your help with our upcoming (state your event; auction, dog walk) to benefit (your program). We need items we can offer as prizes for our (raffle/ auction/ door prize). (If they’ve donated to you before, STATE that, and thank them for their continued support!) We’d appreciate a donation of (state a sample donation item you wish from the business… a gift card for $100, a spa package valued at approximately $150). Your donation will help us achieve our goal for this fundraiser, which is (state monetary goal).

Your generous donation (of service/ merchandise) will be publicly acknowledged at our event through promotional announcements and fliers, a logo and prominent note in our program, and (detail what benefits they’ll receive). We feel that your business will benefit from the community goodwill generated by your kind donation to our group.

To learn more about our group or our event, please contact (Name of Volunteer) at (phone number), or the contact info listed below.

Thank you for your consideration of our request, and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely,

(Super Volunteer Signature/ Development Director/ Board Pres)

(Volunteer’s Typed Name)

(Typed contact info of signee)

PS- So that we may better plan our event, would you kindly let us know your decision by (cutoff date)? Thank you.