To Lisa - there are 3 of us. We have been collecting about 3 months. We do it each year. And we DO ask the mom & pops - we just don't rely on that. We live in a small community. Local comps can only do so much. We have everything from Disney passes to local restaurant gift certificates to Cuisinart appliances. Just stick with it. My first year, we asked for 500 donations and only got about 80.
I would not ignore the mom & pop business in your school's immediate community. I reside in Chicago and my son's school has two programs;a regional gifted center (k-8) AND fine art magnet program (prek -8). The school draws 650+ students from every edge of Chicago. Many of our neighborhood business (big and small) donate to the the school. And our parents bring us donations from businesses they patronize from other neighborhoods.
Our strategy is to ask parents who patronize the business on a regular basis solicit the donation.
I actually called the IRS and requested a copy. I called (877)829-5500. I went through their lil automated thing, saying that I was calling about a 501(c)(3). I got a operator on the phone, who asked for info like Non-Profit #, address, Name of Non-Proft, and if I was legally able to request the copy. I called on Aug 25th, and received the copy yesterday 9/8.
One thing as far as authors...I had 1 author that told me she would not be able to donate, due to the cost with all the requests she receives...however, when I asked her if it was possible for me to purchase a book and send it to her to sign, if she would...she said definitely! So, when I get no responses from authors, I am trying to route before filing them in my "no" file.
If you are asking Mom & Pop for donations, you are going to get more no's. Ask the larger companies - that donate as a matter of fact - and follow their guidelines. I am new to this as well and have over 20K worth of donations so far.
