Prize Donation Letter

Donations, as we all know could be in cash or in kind. One such 'in kind' donation is a prize donation. Some charitable organizations organize some events or competitions for fundraising. To motivate people to participate in these events and to award the winners of these events, these organizations look for sponsors for prizes. The prizes could be cash award, or some valuable asset. Besides, some schools also request for prize donations for competitions organized in their schools. The winning students are then awarded with these prizes. To get these donations, one writes prize donation letters. Let us discuss the same, but before that we must understand whom we should approach to get these donations.

Whom should be the prize donation request letter be addressed to?

The people who are capable of donating for these prizes could be - local politicians, trustees of the charitable trust or school, businessmen, elite classes of the society, etc. These are some eminent personalities, who are capable of donating towards such causes. To get the donations, one must know whom he/she should approach. Thus, address your letter to the right person.

For events like marathon, wherein the funds raised are donated toward certain causes like cancer foundation or rural development, etc., celebrities could be approached. These celebrities could donate some of their valuables to the winners or participants of the marathon. This will also encourage the participation in the marathon.

Try to approach a sponsor who could themselves be the guest of honor and also provide some goodies to be distributed as prizes. For example, Nike's CEO could bring along Nike kits for prize distribution. Also, try to approach people who relate to your event. If you are organizing a beauty pageant, try to get in someone from the same field. This would increase your chances of getting a positive response.

The tips given below will help you increase your chances of getting donations -

1. Approaching someone from the same field, as mentioned above, would help you get a better response
2. The letter should be written as per the formal letter format, with and addressed to a specific person
3. The donors can donate some of their valuables to be distributed as prize with their autograph on it.

To help you write a prize donation request letter, we have given a sample letter below.

Sherley Mill
Volunteer - Smile Hope Foundation
Shine Valley
Grey Line Street
TX - 21304
Email: sherley.mill@shf.com
Ph: 111 202020

To,
Mr. John Jay
Sales Head
Geebok Sports Goods
TX - 21306

Dear Mr. Jay,

This is on behalf of Smile Hope Foundation that I request you to donate for the prize to be given at the football match organized by our charity group. Smile Hope Foundation is organizing a football match for children living in orphanages, on 24th December 2011, as part of Christmas celebration.

We have requested 2-3 eminent football players to attend this event as a chief guest and cheer the children. The funds raised from the match would be used for educating these children, and giving them a better life. We request you to be a part of this noble cause, and donate for prizes to be given to the winning team in cash or kind.

For donations in kind, you can draft an email to me, and we would arrange for a pick up of the same from your office. If you wish to donate in cash, please send a demand draft in the name of 'Smile Hope Foundation - Texas', and place it in the pre-stamped and addressed envelope provided with the letter and post the same.

Looking forward to a positive response from your side and meet you at the match soon.

Thank you

Regards,

Sherley Mill
Smile Hope Foundation

Enclosures:

1. Pre-stamped envelope
2. A leaflet describing the event in detail
3. Invitation passes for two

This is one sample letter asking for donations. One who wishes to donate could also write a letter, expressing his/her interest in donating towards the cause. The donors usually opt for this when they feel that they should be a part of some noble cause, and thus, they themselves approach the school or charity house for giving donation.

The sample prize donation letter given above would help you request for prize donation and get goodies or cash donations to be given as prizes. However, make sure that on getting these donations, you send a receipt to the donor, which assures him/her of you getting the donation. Moreover, the receipt would help him/her for tax exemptions. Also, you can review Example of Decline Request For Donation Letter and Example of School Donation Letter for more examples of letters.