I need help writing a letter asking for donations for youth baseball?

I am trying to type a general letter to many different businesses asking for sponsorship donations for a youth travel baseball team banner. We are going to mail these out with self addressed stamped envelopes and a signed receipt included in the letter. We thought that may make more people give if they don't have to call us or find an envelope and stamp. I just need help wording the letter and how to address the people to where it doesn't sound so impersonal such as to whom it may concern. Thanks for your help. Oh yeah, the donations are only $100.00 and they do get their name on the banner that will be hung up at every game we play.

Why don't you just address it "dear sir or madame" or you can say "dear (company name) representative"

What you want to do is a) point out the benefits to the donor (such as having their name on the banner) and b) point out the benefits to the young players. Try to find out who the letter will go to by calling the business and asking them who looks after corporate donations, etc. Be understanding in your letter: "We understand that businesses get a lot of requests for donations but this request is for a local youth league, the money stays in the community and is for the benefit of your customers", etc.
Also, thank them in advance for their consideration and have a number or e-mail, etc. that they can contact if they have any more questions. The other thing I've done - and I've done a lot of this kind of fundraising over the years - is to make sure to shop at the businesses that supported the endeavours I was involved in and to tell them that when I was shopping there: "I'd just like you to know that I could have bought this .... at many stores but I wanted to support your business because you supported the baseball league my son/daughter plays in." That way, they know that their donation brought them some loyalty and some business.

My letter starts with thanking them for supporting us last year, if they did. If it is a new request, then I introduce myself and my other coaches, and briefly describe our association, league, and tournaments to be played. The final three paragraphs goes like this:

While the parents share a great portion of the costs for the team, that alone is not enough to sustain our needs for the year. Youth programs like ours depend on the generosity of team sponsors to make the year a success.

Business sponsors help offset our costs for the year. Your sponsorship of $100 or $200 would be truly appreciated, but we value any support you can provide. Your business name or logo will be displayed on our banner, and hung on the dugout fence at every game. Sponsorship of our team allows you to support the boys while promoting your business with great visibility at each game.

It is an asset to any community to have healthy businesses and quality youth programs. We hope you鈥檒l choose to help sponsor our team.