Best approach for repeater "tower" site

[uniden278]

So I have a homebrew repeater that I've been using at home with abysmal coverage. I'm trying to relocate that at the moment and might be able to get it about 50 feet up at an apartment complex my parents live in. But in the long run I'd love to get a proper commercial grade repeater (I've been eyeing a MSF5000 on eBay) and put it on a tower but that's probably out of my affordable price range. What's the best approach for contacting commercial properties about locating my system there? I'm in an urban area so not many open farmland/private tower options. Many of the larger office buildings, schools, hospitals etc already have antennas on them. You would think some of the "nonprofit organizations" would take a donation in lieu of rent for a tower site.

[quarterwave]

I would check water tanks, building tops, maybe you local telephone co. most of them in rural area's all had repeaters at one time they used, may not now but if they own a tower you might be able to get on. 

 

You have to be sure you express that it is non-commercial use, and could be used in a community emergency, etc. As long as they know you don't and can't money from it, they may be more open to it.