How to Ask for Donations From Companies: 7 Steps + Templates

In this guide, we'll be focusing on how to ask for donations from companies. Companies can be valuable supporters of your organization, especially if you're able to develop long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with them. Corporations donated more than $44 billion to nonprofits in 2025, and that figure keeps climbing every year, according to Double the Donation.

Finding, asking, and maintaining company donations can be tricky though, especially if you don’t already have existing partnerships. What kind of companies are best to ask? What are the resources you have that you can use to give back?

Quick answer: How to ask a company for a donation

If you’re short on time, here is the core checklist for making a corporate donation request:

• Research aligned, local, and national companies that share your cause. 
• Identify the right contact or locate the company’s online giving portal.
• Think about what you can offer in return.
• Make a specific ask, impact-tied ask with a clear deadline.
• Follow up once after their stated decision date.
• Thank them promptly and deliver on any recognition promises. 
• Cultivate your corporate partners to bolster your relationship. 

7 steps for asking for donations from companies

1. Determine which companies you should ask.

Start with research, not a pitch. The biggest mistake nonprofits make is blasting generic requests to every business in town. Instead, prioritize companies using a prospect-scoring approach based on cause alignment, geography, existing relationships, and giving history. 

Local businesses vs. national corporations

Local businesses (like restaurants, independent retailers, and local service providers) are deeply invested in their immediate communities. They are often more accessible and can make decisions quickly. National corporations, on the other hand, have larger philanthropic budgets but require longer lead times and strict adherence to their corporate giving guidelines. 

Types of companies that commonly donate

When building your prospect list, look for these business categories that frequently support nonprofits:

• Restaurants and grocery stores
• Local banks and credit unions
• Hotels and hospitality chains
• Retailers and local franchises
• Tech companies and professional services

Search online for “[Company Name] community giving” or “[Company Name] corporate responsibility” to find their giving pages and verify their priorities. 

2. Find a point of contact.

Sending a request to a generic "info@" email address rarely works. You need to find the right person.

For a local business, the best contact is usually the owner, general manager, or community relations manager. For larger companies, look for the corporate social responsibility (CSR) lead, the corporate foundation staff, or the workplace giving manager.

Pro Tip: Use LinkedIn as a contact-discovery channel. A quick search for the company name alongside keywords like "community relations" or "philanthropy" can help you identify the exact decision-maker.

3. Think about what you can offer in return.

Corporate philanthropy isn’t entirely transactional, but businesses do look for mutually beneficial partnerships. Instead of just asking for money, frame your request around shared values and community impact.

Consider what your organization can offer, such as:

• Brand visibility: Logo placement on event banners, websites, or programs.
• Employee engagement: Group volunteer opportunities for their staff.
• Community goodwill: Demonstrating their commitment to local causes.

Note on tax benefits: You can provide a donation acknowledgment or a receipt for tax-record purposes, but we always recommend that the company consult its own tax advisor. Avoid promising specific tax deductions. 

4. Make the ask.

Asking for donations from corporations can be a daunting task. No matter how much you’ve prepared, it can be nerve-wracking to sit down with someone to ask for a substantial amount of money. 

There are a couple of ways you can go about asking for donations:

1. Write a letter. This method lends a bit of formality to the ask. Limit your letter to one page, and make sure that someone in your organization signs it (preferably a board member or other leader).
2. Ask in person. This method is sometimes preferred by nonprofits who are asking local businesses for donations. Asking in person can be tricky, especially if the person you’re trying to meet with already has a busy schedule. But meeting face-to-face can also help you perfectly spell out your appeal and answer any questions head on.
3. Ask over the phone. This method is great if the person you’re trying to reach can’t have a sit-down meeting. Instead, a brief phone call can go a long way toward bridging the gap between your nonprofit and the company that you’re asking for donations from.

In either case, make sure that you are genuine and clear. Your appeal should be well researched, and the amount you ask for should be appropriate for your situation and the company’s capacity. Making a donation appeal can be tough.

What to include in your request

Keep your request clear, polite, and specific. Ensure you include:

• A 1-2 sentence summary of your mission.
• Your 501(c)(3) status and EIN.
• A specific ask (exact dollar amount or specific in-kind item)
• The intended impact of their gift.
• A reasonable deadline for a response.
• Any required attachments (like a W-9 or event budget).

Many large corporations and Fortune 500 companies do not accept direct emails or letters. Instead, they require nonprofits to apply through a corporate giving portal. 

Submitting through a portal means you need to be prepared. Gather your EIN, mission statement, service area details, intended impact metrics, and supporting documents before you start. Keep in mind that large corporate grants or sponsorships often have strict eligibility requirements, geographic restrictions, and a 60-90-day lead time for processing. 

When deciding how much to ask for, size your request to the company’s capacity. A local business might be comfortable with a $250-$2,500 sponsorship, while larger corporations may entertain higher requests based on their giving history.

5. Follow up.

Sometimes, a company won’t write a check or make an in-kind donation after the first letter or meeting.

That’s why following up with your point of contact a couple of weeks afterward is so important. 

Your follow-up can be less formal than your initial meeting. You could:

• Give them a phone call.
• Send an email.
• Have an informal in-person meeting.
• Send a check-up letter.

When following up, it’s a good idea to reiterate the positive points from your earlier meetings. Make sure you emphasize how the donation will benefit the company and what you can offer in return.

Following up has its limitations, however. You don’t want to annoy your point of contact and potentially alienate them. Instead, take a slow and steady approach, checking up every couple of weeks or so.

If the company decides that they don’t want to donate, offer them different ways to partner with your organization.

6. Say “thank you.”

We can’t stress the importance of gratitude in the fundraising process enough.

Acknowledging donations is even more critical when it comes to receiving corporate funds or in-kind contributions, even if the company decides not to donate. It keeps your relationship with them intact, leaves a good impression on them, and can leave open the opportunity to partner with them in the future.

If a gift was made, let your point of contact know how much you appreciated their help during the fundraising process and acknowledge any connections that helped you form your partnership.

Then, deliver on the promises you made to the company.

Who knows? Perhaps this initial donation will turn into an even more promising partnership in the future.

7. Cultivate relationships with the companies you’ve partnered with.

Once you’ve established a partnership with a company and let them know how much you appreciate their support, it’s time to think about the future. Cultivating company relationships for donations is more than just a one-time engagement and can result in a steady flow of donations every year.

Retaining your donors ends up being more cost-effective and beneficial than acquiring new ones, and the same can go for your company partnerships.

Some organizations implement specific programs in order to keep their corporate donors interested and engaged in the mission. This can look like:

• Corporate matching gift programs. Consider reaching out to companies with an existing matching gift program or suggest it to your partners. This is a great way to increase gifts to your cause and engage individual employees.
• In-kind donation programs. If the company produces a product that you could use, such as fabric for face masks, you can set up a program where the company consistently donates those in-kind gifts.
• Volunteer program. Consider implementing a program where employees of a company volunteer their time to your organization, and each hour spent is also matched in a donation by the employer.
• Corporate sponsorships. This type of program is an official acknowledgment of the company’s relationship with your organization. This can involve them helping you sponsor regular events or programs.

These types of programs establish relationships with companies in a way that encourages future engagement. However, make sure to consider the company’s side of the partnership. A great program not only supports your organization in the long run but also benefits the company. What you offer in return are great incentives for companies to join and continue the partnership.

Copyable donation request templates

Use these templates to get started with asking companies for donations.

Corporate donation request email template 

Subject: Partnering for [Community Need/Project] – Donation Request

Hi [Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I’m with [Your Organization]. We greatly appreciate [Company Name]’s commitment to [Shared Value, e.g., supporting local youth].

I’m reaching out because we are currently raising funds for [Project/Event Name], which will [state the concrete impact, e.g., provide 500 meals to families next month]. We would love to partner with [Company Name] to make this happen.

Would you consider a corporate donation of [Amount] to help us reach our goal by [Deadline]? In recognition of your support, we would be proud to feature your logo in our event materials and highlight your contribution to our [Number] newsletter subscribers.

I’ve attached our 501(c)(3) letter and an overview of the project. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information]

LinkedIn short script

Hi [Name], I admire [Company Name]’s recent work with [Cause]. I’m with [Your Organization], and we’re currently seeking partners for our upcoming [Initiative]. Are you the best person to speak with about corporate giving, or is there a portal you recommend I submit to? Thanks!

In-kind, raffle, and auction requests

Subject: Partnership Opportunity: [Event Name] / In-Kind Donation Request

Dear [Contact Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I am reaching out on behalf of [Your Organization]. We are currently organizing our upcoming [Event Name], which will take place on [Date]. The goal of this event is to [briefly state the purpose/impact, e.g., raise funds for our after-school programs].

To help make this event a success, we are looking for partners who might be willing to provide an in-kind donation of [specifically state what you need: e.g., catering, venue space, printing services, or gift cards for our silent auction].

We know that [Company Name] is a valued part of our community, and we would love to feature your business at our event. We are expecting [Number] attendees, primarily consisting of [describe audience demographic, e.g., local families, community leaders, young professionals].

In appreciation of your support, your donation would be showcased by [explain exactly how their products will be highlighted, e.g., being displayed on our main auction table, featured in our printed program, mentioned from the stage, etc.].

I have attached our 501(c)(3) letter and an event overview for your reference. Are you the best person to speak with regarding this request, or is there a specific process you recommend we follow?

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Contact Information]

How companies accept donation requests

Many large corporations and Fortune 500 companies do not accept direct emails or letters. Instead, they require nonprofits to apply through a corporate giving portal.

Submitting through a portal means you need to be prepared. Gather your EIN, mission statement, service area details, intended impact metrics, and supporting documents before you start. Keep in mind that large corporate grants or sponsorships often have strict eligibility requirements, geographic restrictions, and a 60-90-day lead time for processing.

Company donations: frequently asked questions

How do I politely ask a company for a donation?

Start by researching the company’s philanthropic goals to ensure alignment. Reach out to the correct contact person, be direct about what you are asking for and its impact, and never use pushy language or demand an immediate answer.

What should be included in a corporate donation request? 

Include a brief explanation of your mission, your 501(c)(3) status and EIN, a specific ask (a dollar amount or item), the expected community impact, your deadline, and the ways you will recognize their contribution.

How do I find a company’s online donation request form?

Search the company’s website for links in the footer labeled “Community Giving,” “Corporate Social Responsibility,” “Grants,” and “About Us.” You can also use search engine operators like “[Company Name] + donation request form.”

Do companies donate to individuals?

Generally, corporate giving programs only give to 501(c)(3) nonprofits or schools. While individuals usually cannot secure corporate grants for personal needs, some companies maintain separate employee hardship funds. 

How long does it take to get an answer from a company?

Local businesses may decide within a week or two, but large corporations using online portals typically require 60 to 90 days to review applications. Always plan your outreach three to four months before your campaign or event to leave yourself enough time.

Final thoughts

Asking companies for donations is far more than sending a single email and hoping for the best. It is a research-driven, relationship-first process that rewards preparation and intentionality at every stage. Success comes from identifying the companies most likely to care about your cause, crafting a clear and specific ask that connects their support to real community impact, following up thoughtfully, and expressing genuine gratitude whether or not a gift comes through. Each of those steps builds trust, and trust is what transforms a one-time contribution into an ongoing corporate partnership. When you invest in cultivating those relationships over time, recognizing your partners publicly, delivering on every promise, and keeping them engaged in your mission, you give companies a reason to return year after year. The organizations that thrive in corporate fundraising are not necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets or the boldest pitches; they are the ones that treat every company relationship as a long-term investment worth nurturing.