Solicit contributions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Solicit contributions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting donations, support, or input from individuals or organizations for a specific cause or project. Example: "We aim to solicit contributions from local businesses to fund our community outreach program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The lawyers have contributed directly to Mr. Obama's campaign, served as "bundlers" who solicit contributions from others, donated to the Democratic National Committee and written large checks to Priorities USA, the "super PAC" supporting Mr. Obama's re-election efforts.

The New York Times

The Times does not solicit contributions.

The New York Times

*Instructions on how to solicit contributions.

The New York Times

They are also not allowed to solicit contributions for campaigns.

The New York Times

This states that nobody can solicit contributions while in any official government building.

The Economist

Ms. Rushing said she did nothing to solicit contributions from politicians to the Enron fund.

The New York Times

It went on to solicit contributions of $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples.

The New York Times

While Witnesses will not solicit contributions, they will accept them if offered.

The New York Times

Although Mrs. Bagley is a State Department employee, she said she was advised that she could solicit contributions.

The New York Times

They also say that they typically do not serve on the charities' governing boards or solicit contributions themselves.

The New York Times

But exactly what they can say about candidates when they solicit contributions or spend them is sometimes unclear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Tailor your solicitation approach to your target audience. Different groups may respond better to different methods or messaging.

Common error

Don't use vague or overly general language when asking for contributions. Be specific about what the funds will be used for and the impact they will have.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit contributions" functions as a verb phrase where "solicit" acts as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object ("contributions"). According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solicit contributions" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for formally requesting donations or support. According to Ludwig AI, it is acceptable in written English. Analysis of usage patterns shows its frequent occurrence in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts. While synonyms like "request donations" or "seek funding" may be used, clarity and purpose should always be clearly defined when employing this phrase to ensure transparency and build trust with potential contributors. Remember to tailor your approach to the specific audience you're addressing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Request donations

Focuses specifically on asking for monetary gifts.

Seek funding

Implies a more formal and potentially larger-scale effort to obtain financial resources.

Gather support

Encompasses both financial and non-financial assistance.

Raise funds

Suggests a more active and organized effort to collect money.

Obtain donations

Focuses on the act of receiving monetary gifts, rather than the request.

Appeal for contributions

Emphasizes the persuasive aspect of requesting support.

Canvass for donations

Implies a direct and potentially door-to-door effort to seek contributions.

Secure sponsorships

Suggests obtaining financial support in exchange for promotional benefits.

Invite donations

A more polite and less forceful way to request contributions.

Call for support

A formal way to ask for help.

FAQs

How can I use "solicit contributions" in a sentence?

You can use "solicit contributions" to describe the act of requesting donations or support, as in "The organization plans to solicit contributions from local businesses to fund its new program".

What's a more formal alternative to "solicit contributions"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "seek funding" or "request donations".

What words are similar to "solicit contributions"?

Similar terms include "gather support", "raise funds", and "appeal for contributions", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it always appropriate to "solicit contributions"?

While generally acceptable, the appropriateness of using "solicit contributions" depends on the context. In some situations, a more gentle approach like "invite donations" might be preferred.