If the business is located in the community, chances are you know them, if not, you may know an employee. Let them know you will be paying a visit. Draft your ask, and speak of the organizations dedicated commitment to community betterment, and profits generated to the business based on their support of community project donations or monetary contributions, materials, and other resources donated for annual events.  If they are not located in the community, a 2 paragraph, donation letter request, is sent, with contact information included.  short and sweet.  We have received a $250 donation to an annual event from a car dealership in a community 3 miles from us and a $100 donation from a community 12 miles from us, but both communities are in the same county as well are.  If outside of the county, in other parts of the state, we would send a request to be added to their annual donation lists of their favorite charities or ask for a bequest.