Is there a website to order free books & other business items for my nonprofit support group?
Allison P asked:
We are trying to open used bookstore to give people like myself w/ disabilities jobs & also to raise money for our group. Also if there is a website to order free items such as: business cards or any other type of items that we could use. We are trying to get a government grant, so that we can rent to building to put in the store.This group helps with both mental & physical wellness.If you would like to donate any books, please e-mail me at quad.mom.2005@Hotmail.com. Also if you have any other questions about our support group. Please feel free to ask. Thanks so much!
Darron
We are trying to open used bookstore to give people like myself w/ disabilities jobs & also to raise money for our group. Also if there is a website to order free items such as: business cards or any other type of items that we could use. We are trying to get a government grant, so that we can rent to building to put in the store.This group helps with both mental & physical wellness.If you would like to donate any books, please e-mail me at quad.mom.2005@Hotmail.com. Also if you have any other questions about our support group. Please feel free to ask. Thanks so much!
Darron
Nonprofits pay for services, just like other businesses. If you want donations for, say, business cards, you are going to have to visit local print shops, in person, and see if they would be willing to donate their services or provide them for you low-cost. But realize that businesses get dozens of such requests regularly, and they cannot say yes to everyone.
For donated books, you also need to look locally, putting up flyers at communities of faith (churches, temples, mosques), recreation centers, etc., and contacting local chapters of philanthropic groups such as the Optimists, Rotary, Junior League, etc. Also, let your neighbors know.
With all requests for donations, you need to note your Tax ID number, to show that you are a registered nonprofit. Your latest 990 should also be posted to GuideStar.
To get a grant or other financial donations, you need to have a budget for the current fiscal year showing your planned expenses, the name and contact information for your board of directors, data that shows your organization is needed, data that shows your organization does what it says it does, etc.
You also *always* need to say the name of your nonprofit (which you didn’t here on YahooAnswers). You will never build familiarity about your organization if you don’t say the name of the organization every time you talk about it.
If you are certified as non-profit, ask! Lots of places give discounts to non-profit organizations. Make up a “wish list” and post it all over so perhaps people will bring you some of the things you need, or money.
Put an ad is the local and loca free papers asking for books. I’d give mine away just to quit watching the stacks grow! But I’d have to rent a UPS truck to carry them all. Those little local papers get good responses, they aren’t expensive, and they may do you a favor and run your ad for free.
Good luck for good intentions!