How to ask for donations?

United States
December 6, 2011 2:58pm CST
Hi! I'm hoping to start a small cake business and I do have an event coming up. How do I go about politely asking for donations as I am the one putting the money and time into this and what is fair to ask for? Thanks!
3 responses
@Olleenz (3398)
• Indonesia
6 Dec 11
Donation for business opportunity ... ??? Seem like impossible to me but you other choice like loan or joint venture. Since you not start your business yet, impossible to take a loan from bank (they have some standard). You need other choice of funding. You need money to start business, right? Then do it professionally. I mean if you need funding, you can't do it by begging/donation but you must show to other people that your business opportunity is real and profitable. If you already have small fund in your pocket but not enough to run/start business, I think loan option might fit for you. These because all you to do is how to pay them back and you not be disturb on your business by them as long you pay them well. The other option is join venture. If you don't have any money but you know how to run business (and hard work of course), these might fit for you. You can find some partners to join with you and make them as passive partner and you as active partner (run the business. But keep in mind, When you start business with this method, your partner will disturb in many way because they want to secured their investment. Both method above need descent preparation like portfolio business. Not heavy one but you must have written plan for your business and propose it to someone who might interest with your business. Sorry if too long ...... but for me this just short review how start business. If I make it too long, I might write E-book ..... Happy lotters
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
7 Dec 11
I was going to say something like what you say, Ollenz, but you said it so well I will not give another answer. I did not understand what donations have to do with business. I donate only for charity, not for people who want to start a business. I might give my daughters some money if they needed it to start a business and I had the money to spare. Happy posting!
@Olleenz (3398)
• Indonesia
7 Dec 11
I think Cricket127 just want to say "How to Make Business Proposal" but he misinterpreted into donation.
• India
7 Dec 11
I think it is better not to have donations. If you buy donations your customers get decreased by one by one and I think that is is very difficult to get them. I think that it will be very difficult to get the those customers again. So I think it is not to buy donations.
• United States
7 Dec 11
Hi! I think I'll let them make the move first so if they collect something on their own or raise the topic...I will not object. Happily where I am now cake decorating is not that expensive. Do you bake? Thanks again!
• United States
6 Dec 11
I recommend not asking. The reason being you don't want to come off as greedy. If you ask for a tip the person you are doing business with may never want to come back to your services. Other than that if you have to ask just leave out a tips jar and they might throw a few bucks in there.
• United States
7 Dec 11
Hi! That's not a bad idea--thank you! I'll see if I can tactfully ask to leave out a jar for tips--hoping it'll at least cover the gas. Right now I don't expect much but a little help would be nice. Just hope I come up with the right words to say! Thanks!