Cell Phone Collection Ideas

With thousands of organizations participating in our programs, we can’t avoid hearing about the many creative ways in which to collect used cell phones. We are certain that you will also develop new collection ideas and we ask you to share those strategies with us and with other participating organizations. In our experience, the difference in the effort invested in a very successful collection and a not very successful one is negligible, yet the disparity in the net result ($1,500 vs. $150) could be tremendous.

We encourage you to utilize your resources in the best way that you see fit, and we also encourage you to be as creative as possible in your collection strategy. After all, you certainly know your territory and the people in your community better than we do. But the one thing that makes a difference between success and failure, in our opinion, is the level of participation from all of the members of your organization towards one common goal: To raise funds through the collection of used cell phones. Most importantly, this fundraising program does not conflict or take away from other concurrent fundraising activities. After all, all that is asked of your community is to hand over their old, used cell phones.

Recommended Steps

1. ADOPT THE PROGRAM

Adoption of the GRC Wireless program as an alternative source for raising funds by your organization is essential in order to be successful. We recommend that your decision to adopt an ongoing “cell phone collection” be communicated to every employee through the message board, employee newsletter, etc.

2. APPOINT A COORDINATOR

Now that you have an exact idea of what you want to accomplish it is important to appoint someone to coordinate all of the efforts and to review all of the various collection ideas that will be presented by other members of your organization. This responsibility of the “cell phone collection coordinator” requires between two to eight hours per week depending on the population density of your location and your pre-determined goals. This position can be paid or volunteer basis.

3. PLACE DROP BOXES AROUND THE COMMUNITY

The use of collection boxes at locations where people go repeatedly is a recommended strategy, Examples: banks, barber shops, beauty salons, churches, coffee shops, grocery stores, libraries, hospitals, gas stations, restaurants, etc.

4. CONTACT LOCAL BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS

Local businesses can play a vital role in the success of your collection. GRC Wireless offers “letter templates” for you to contact businesses directly. You can download the above “Letter to Local Businesses” and use as needed.”

5. CONTACT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The local chamber of commerce should be notified of your collection program. They will help you spread the word and offer convenient databases of businesses to contact. Feel free to use the “Letter to Chamber of Commerce” and “Press Release” document on this page as a template for your own public announcement.

6. CONTACT THE MEDIA

It is essential that the local media learns of your collection program. Many news organizations will offer free advertising in “community affairs” or “actionline” sections of their publications or shows. This communication can be handled easily using our sample “Press Release” template on this page.