Where can I get donations?

Where can I get donations for a women's group?

• Hi, we live in a small country town in NSW. There was nothing available in our area for the the women and children. I started a group and we have met now 4 times, once a week. I ask $2 to cover hall hire and tea. But The only donations I have had so far is 2 pieces of carpet for the kids to sit on. I have donated everything else which I am happy to do. But I am a single mum with 4 kids and I can't afford more stuff. Or more of my time. Where should I go to seek donations? we are not an official organisation as I am not able to do that on my own (my kids are all under 6). I have put adds in papers and on internet sites but no one has offerd so much as a doll or book. Currently there are 7 women and 9 children. We are slowly growing and I am hopeing word of mouth will help. Any suggestions?

• Answer:

  You might need a charitable solicitations license from your city hall in order to ask for donations from anyone -- better ask. There are always cake sales and car washes. You could do a raffle or an auction and ask businesses in the area to donate things for it. Ask your local churches if they would like to contribute somehow to your organization. You might also go to the library and ask the librarian about grant writing. There may be monies available for getting an organization like yours off the ground. Edit: Your group would get more traction if you come up with a Mission Statement. You also need a name for your group that emphasizes what the group does. People will be more willing to contribute if they know what you are trying to accomplish. Be specific. Are you trading babysitting duties? Are you just trying to set up a gathering spot for mother's with children so the kids can play together? Are you trying to give mother's a place to meet just to get out of the house and talk to another adult? Once you get those things accomplished figure out your goals and then find a way to measure if you are accomplishing your goals. Funders want to know if their dollars are being spent effectively. When you go back to the people who contributed you will want to be able to show them how much you have accomplished. Good luck.