KaBOOM! Forums

The secret is variety...don't focus just on getting "donations"... you also have to focus on getting some "fundraisers" going, either by selling things, or by holding rummage sales, or whatever.  For donations, you should do some research online regarding "capital campaigns".  I remember there was a really good site online that had a ton of information about how to conduct a successful capital campaign.  Getting that first big donation is your biggest hurdle but once you can get that, it gets the ball rolling.  The key is to start with your connections--who do you know, and who do THEY know, and utilize face-to-face methods to get the donations going.  People dont' usually respond to mailings--they will end up in the wastebasket... telephone call is the next best thing to face to face--you can always follow up with a mailing of course. 

Also, utilize the media...once you get a significant donation going, then get your story in the newspaper.  That first big donation can also come from your combined group efforts, e.g. if you have 15 people on your committee, talk about "how much can you donate" and maybe have people write down how much they can afford to donate anonymously--turn in those slips, and have someone add them up... you might be surprised to see that your own little group of people, combined, can donate a couple thousand dollars... this could be your lead donation, that one that you mention whenever you talk to other companies or individuals.  When they hear that The Springfield Group For Play donated $2,000 dollars toward the goal, then they are more likely to think, hey, I can do something, too!