Donation Requests
Introducing First Fridays Vegan Potlucks
Raising money for a good cause? Name your charity as a beneficiary at one of our future potluck events.
Planning something cool?
I decided to write this page because there’s not much guidance out there for how to request donations from small businesses. I hope to give you insight into what donating actually entails, followed by the best way to ask for what you need. Hope this helps!
Food for thought
Hi there! Litsa here. I love this vibrant neighborhood and its community events. I especially like contributing to the vegan, creative, and cycling communities. And I appreciate the opportunity to partner with local clubs and other groups.
Asking Dear Diary for a donation is the same as asking me, Litsa for donation. When I agree to donate tacos or baked goods, I buy a bunch of ingredients from the grocery store, rent extra time at the commercial kitchen, and spend hours making them myself. Beverage donations are similar: I buy extra ingredients, and I personally do the work that is outside of my baristas’ job responsibilities (such as getting to the shop before-hours to brew everything).
Asking for locally made is much different than asking for factory made! For example, breweries donate beer pretty readily, but that’s because their products are mass produced, and they have actual marketing budgets. I didn’t realize this distinction until I became a small business owner, and now I’m sharing because I think it’s important to consider.
Can this be a partnership?
Think of small businesses as friends. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help; that’s what friends are for! But how would you go about asking a friend for money? Or to work for free?
Small business owners just want one thing: love. Haha. Our existences are 100% dependent on people shopping at our stores. One way we earn customers is by giving to the community: producing and sponsoring clubs, events, etc. We hope people learn about us, love us, and want to support us as a result.
If I donate to your cause, can you help me with mine? I’d encourage you to take a partnership approach with all small businesses, not just mine. I hope we can figure out how to make your cool community initiative happen together! Thanks for reading, and thanks for leading an initiative. That’s very cool.