posted
Hopefully, a group of our friends are hosting an event to help us raise money for treatment and expenses.
The people in charge are wanting to look for sponsors to cover the expenses of the benefit, so more of the money goes to us.
Can you all help me brainstorm companies that might want some Lyme friendly advertising for a well promoted event?
Jeanne
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You should talk with the Lyme Disease Association. If you can come under their wing for your event/project, you stand a better chance.
Usually, businesses would donate only to groups that have a non-profit or not-for-profit tax status, so that deduction can be tax deductible for the company. That would be a 501 (c) 3 status.
They also plan out their budget a year or more in advance. However, some of the advertising money can have more leeway.
* I'd start with your local and state lyme support groups, asking for suggestions of places they may know someone.
* You would also need to talk with an attorney &/or banker to set up a bank fund (TRUST FUND) separate from the individuals organizing the event. There may be a person at your bank who can help with this. They've done it before, most certainly.
* If you happen to have a college in your area that teach non-profit courses, see if you can talk to the person who teaches their P.R. classes for the legalities of all this.
* Your closest law school might also have someone who can help you draw up documents.
* Your local United Way may also have a resource person who can help you set this up as a business plan. Just give them a call.
After you have the legalities all set up, then you can move forward with an advertising & donation campaign. But the legal set up should be done first, before approaching anyone.
If you sell advertising, you need to know if a business license is required. The difference between selling and donation can be a fine line. Your city clerk should also be able to help answer many questions about how things are done.
Be mindful of the hospitals that advertise with your desired sponsors. Be mindful of the connections the hospital administrators and doctors in your community. This is why it's so hard to get truly educated and non-biased news. Doctors and hospitals are the number one advertiser of many media outlets.
They have a huge influence. So, when it comes time for news features, etc. just be mindful of that. -
[ 09-08-2010, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Back to who might enjoy being a sponsor - corporate sponsors generally can donate larger amounts but for some events, these just came to mind:
Natural Foods markets
Bowling Alleys
Skating Rinks
Skate Board groups
Barber Shops and Hair Salons (but they usually don't get paid much at all so you'd want to be sure they aren't being asked to donate their tiny wages but that it would come from customers).
One note I think important: that where ever an event is held, that no one ever feel pressured to give, that it's not in their face, so to speak. It could be embarrassing.
Good luck. Hope this goes well. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Now, after all that, you might post this over in the ACTIVISM forum where there are people who have done all this before:
NEWS: Former skateboader with Lyme finds help with stem cell treatment in India; musician friends step up to help him pay for it -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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