Instead of relying on the links on this list (which may or may not be current) is it really that difficult to search the websites yourself? Policies change all the time, so it would really be to your advantage to search them yourself. It's really quite easy. It's usually in the 'about us', 'contact us', 'corporate responsibility', 'community' section. Do a search within the site for 'donation request' or 'sponsorship'. Put some time into looking! Don't find anything? Sent them an email to customer service! I have got many immediate yes' from companies doing this when they have no clear guidelines on their site. Many of the 'links' which originally started this re-thread were just links to donation guideline pages, many of which stated they do not accept unsolicited requests, don't donate to PTA's/PTO's (which is what thiswebsite is about RIGHT??). So many of us just ran with thinking they all made donations. Take the time to search and read the policies! It saves you time from sitting around waiting and hoping when you never met their criteria or focus in the first place.
I see someone wrote that JCPenny is a no -- maybe if you go through the corporate website. However, I went to my local store and got a gift card to the portrait studio. If there is a a local store, start there first. They will happily re-direct you to corporate if they cannot donate on a local level. Also I notice no one has mentioned your local Target or Walmart store. At my local stores, they have a set number of gift cards they can give out each month. Walmart had already given their allotment for February so I went back in March 1st and got a $40 gift card.
Additionally, I also agree with the person who wrote you are more likely to get a donation if you are a customer/store card holder. I found this very true in my case. I am a portrait club member and frequent customer at JCPenny portrait studios, for example.
Melissa - many of us have had luck with places in this thread but you have to remember that there are thousands of people looking at this list as well and writing the same places.
If you are getting a lot of no's, maybe review your donation request letter and rewrite it? Or when is your event?
Many companies/businesses cap their donations. If your event is 2 months away, that company has probably been inundated for the same time frame and given away their limited donations.
Try local places. As suggested groupon and yelp are good places to start to find businesses. Or travel guides.
I'd like to report that the following links on the initial list do not work:
Ritz-Carlton
Harrahs-Caesars
Hilton Worldwide
JCPenney
KitchenAid
Lego
Macy's & Bloomingdale's
Marriott Hotels
Williams-Sonoma
Kelly, a lot of those are great yes's! Congrats! How did you manage Wheel of Fortune? I don't think my committee would go for it since it's so far, I tried tv shows that I knew filmed in NY but to no avail. (If anyone knows anything, let me know! wink wink)
Just sharing places I received donations from after using this website.
Premier Cancun - 4 nights/5 days accomodations
Elite Resorts - 4 packages (We offered this with a detailed explanation)
Green Mountain Coffee - 6 14 oz. bags of coffee
Disney - 4 One-day Hopper passes
Debbie Macomber - autographed book
Dean Koontz - autographed book
Jan Brett - autographed posters (which we framed)
Chicago Comedy Sportz Club - 4 tickets and a $200 gift cert for a Level 1 Improv class
Stampin' Up - $300 worth of merchandise
St. Louis Rams - Autographed mini-helmet and picture (Kendall Langford)
Wheel of Fortune - 4 VIP tickets, keychains, pen, tote bag. autographed (Pat Sajak & Vanna White) puzzle piece
Chicago Wolves Hockey - 2 tickets
Painting Paws - $25 gift cert. (St. Louis)
Wonderworks Orlando - 2 tickets
Cabot Creamery - 36 8 oz. pkgs. of cheese and cheese gift basket
