Soliciting Money or Products from Any Business

Before a solicitation letter is created or any 4-H member visits a business:

1. Club leader needs to talk with county 4-H Educator or 4-H Program Aide about plans to solicit money or products from any business Note: A business is likely to contact your Extension Office to find out if your 4-H group is legitimate. If the Educator or 4-H Program Aide knows what you are doing, she will be ready to speak on your behalf and that of the 4-H program.
2. Submit a list of business names and addresses to your county educator that 4-H members plan to contact
3. Extension staff may know other businesses either to add or delete from your list.

Create a letter or make adjustments to an existing letter. 4-H youth can create the letter. Letter writing is a life skill.

1. Contact businesses for correct mailing address and the name of the person to contact directly

• Ask if a letter of explanation (who you are, a description of the project, what you want, and how their donation will make a difference) is needed.
• Ask if you can request a meeting so their business can learn more about your 4-H club project work.

2. Enclosures for tangible evidence:

• 4-H brochure
• A biography of the club(s) requesting support (include a picture and have the youth write club biography)
• Newspaper articles about your 4-H club(s) Note: Businesses may need tangible evidence of donation for tax purposes. Some businesses may even respond immediately with checks 2-3 days after sending the letters.

After the letter is written:

1. Have 4-H members ask their county 4-H Program Aide or Educator to review letter Note: The educator may also offer a suggestion or two.
2. Do follow up with a phone call if you have not had a reply in a reasonable amount of time
3. Have youth send a thank you note (create by computer or written by hand)
4. Send a certificate of support to the businesses that donate
5. Create a decorative poster that lists names of all the businesses that support the 4-H Program. Note: Ask each business for permission to add their name to the poster and in the local newspapers. Some businesses do not like to have their business name made public in a newspaper or on the poster. Respect those businesses who want to remain anonymous and leave their name out of the newspaper or on the poster.

Adapted from: Linda Whitten, Piscataquis 4-H Program, 2007 (Waldo Co. – Rev.: 9/2007)