I don't own a business in the Junction but do work in one three days a week. On average this small business receives a minimum of two to three requests for donations each week.

That makes 150-200 yearly requests. I am constantly amazed by how many people come in requesting something for next week and aren't prepared to provide any information about the worthiness of their event.

May I offer some hints on how to increase the chance that your donation request will be honored?

Show the business that you understand and appreciate its goals. Businesses set aside a budget for local and national charity support. There are many reasons a business might honor a local request but the three major reasons are: to reward loyal repeat customers, to support the local community and to make their business/products known to potential new customers.

You are a salesperson in this interaction so the best thing you can do is tell the business how your event will benefit their business or support the community. Supporting the community is a rather vague statement and the key here is adding the word "local" to community.

Bring in your request at least four weeks before the event, six weeks is even better especially during the peak event seasons. You are not the only one asking. The further ahead you request to be in the charity budget the better your chances.

Remember, one man's charity is another man's boondoggle. If you are requesting support to send a soccer team to Italy you had better be a loyal and repeat customer of that business. No matter how you dress this request it benefits neither the school nor the community. It benefits only those kids going to Italy.

Do not mail or phone in a request. First impressions do count. Present your request in person. Wait until they are not busy and ask to speak to the owner or manager. Briefly explain who you represent and offer them a written statement about your event for their review. Be prepared to take a few minutes and fill out any request forms they require. Attach your written presentation. Ask when you should check back.

- Market your event to them with the following information:

- Name and date of the event.

- Organization name, address and phone number for a contact person.

Address where the event will take place. How many people are expected to attend your event and who are they? These two items are critical as many businesses support community events within a three to five mile radius. This addresses the issue stated above that a business is interested in attracting new customers or supporting a local community event.

It is your job to sell your event to the business. Put yourself in the owners shoes: why should they support you if you are not already a loyal customer? And believe me, they do know these loyal customers by name.

Your event should offer the business potential customers who are close enough to come to the business and, let's face it, an economic bracket that corresponds to this businesses products or services. You need to be local, not 10 miles away, you need to have people at your event who are likely to appreciate the items donated and therefore would consider going into the business for a second 'look' or raises funds for people or a local organization that provides a real benefit.

If you are a repeat/loyal customer of this business tell the owner how much you like (specific item) you buy from them and that you think this would be a great event to make more local residents aware of their products. Every business in the Junction is aware that there is a significant pool of West Seattle residents who never come to the Junction to shop. Give the business a reason and opportunity to get in front of them.

If you have held this event previously tell about the success of your last event. How many attendees, who benefited from the funds you raised, what are your goals this year? It is important to tell the business how your event benefited the community. Businesses are interested in supporting the community so you need to tell them how their donation does this.

If you are a nonprofit organization include your nonprofit number.

What are you requesting? Items for a door prize, auction basket of goodies, a service such as printing or advertisement, etc. Actual cash donations are more difficult to obtain. Give the business some suggestions and make sure this request is tailored to their business.

Put some effort into tailoring presentation to that particular business. Just like a resume for a job your goal is to make your request stand out from the rest.

Last point of advice: folks receiving a donation must send a written thank you. Phone call is not enough - write a thank you.

Ann McClary has been a marketing manager before retiring. She now works part time for a Junction business. She can be reached through wseditor@robinsonnews.com