Chapter 3: Fundraising

Premiums
These rewards are any type of gifts offered to people who donate money. For skatepark groups, premiums typically include T-shirts, stickers, and other sundry skate-related gear. Like plaques and on-site fixtures commemorating particular donors, care should be taken that the cost of producing the premium does not greatly diminish the cash donation. It is advised that the “marketing” cost of producing the premiums be generated separately and not drawn from the skatepark fund.

Premiums can also be donated by local businesses. For example, a local carpenter may not have the capital to donate money to the skatepark, but he or she may be willing to donate services. If those services aren’t required for skatepark construction, they might be used as premiums for a particular size donation or raffle.

Premiums, especially those related directly to skateboarding, are most effective if promoted through skate shops and at the parks themselves. Premiums that reach a wider audience work best, such as movie tickets or gift cards, as these will attract potential donors who want to support the skatepark effort but have no interest in actually using it.

This reward appeals to a person as a value proposition. The donor gets a potential tax deduction, helps the community, AND gets two movie tickets. That’s a pretty good value!