Fundraising Ideas

Jim Barnum shares a stategy for skatepark fund raising:

To get this project done for $100,000 we need community business support i.e.) local concrete companies should be convinced that this is a worthy cause so that they will give us concrete "at cost", or even donate some. Local building supply yards (I know Bruce Allen at Home Builders-or hit up the larger "corporate type" group at Revy) can also be shown that we're a worthy cause & that they will be looked upon as good community partners if they donate/give us reduced rates on lumber, rebar etc..

This project needs to get into the paper fairly soon (pref. after the Parkgate skatepark funding is complete). The more hype, the more that this park is made an issue, the more chances we have for support.

Also, if your really working hard and raising money, council and companies will look much more kindly on it. They will feel a part of something, not like they're being hit up by some lazy skateboarders.

You're right, those Aussies do have some incredible skateparks. Lots of free public parks similar to the one we're planning here. It is unfortunate that skating is not taken as seriously here as it is in Oz. They've got a plethora of massive, big budget skateparks throughout Australia. It's almost insulting to be presented with $100,000 as a budget-but let's do what we can!

So, you need to start fundraising (be sure to invite the media whenever a photo op [car wash/event] takes place) for the "political" benefits i.e.) convincing council & potential donors that you are hardworking kids who are trying and that they just need a hand. You need to get some help looking for corporations willing to donate some money as a tax write off. And start extending the feelers for local construction businesses willing to lend a hand in this dynamic, youth oriented project.

Further ideas to make this a bigger "hyped" deal: try to local businesses or the town to generate summer jobs for some of the kids, perhaps labouring on the construction. Maybe try to arrange some free workshops for some of the kids who are into organizing/fundraising etc.

Leadership, computer skills, networking; anything that will help you on this project & that will sound good in the newspaper-make this a positive impact project!

Contact a local "trade school".
In London, On. a skatepark was built by students learning various trades (carpentry, forming, concrete work etc.) for next to nothing. This can almost eliminate labour costs.

Corporate Sponsorship
Any corp. trying to reach the "youth"/extreme sports market. Look to see which major players are advertising in sk8 mags, using extreme sports in ad campaigns etc.

Corporate Charitable Donation
Major corporations are sometimes looking for tax write offs to balance their books/avoid paying major taxes. Form a youth group able to issue tax receipts & you're a "worthy cause". Ask your youth worker or library about lists of corporations that typically make donations.

Local Sponsorship
Money from the local bank or grocery store in exchange for logo placement/stories in the paper. Have a weekly installment in the paper detailing the latest developments/projects. Build the hype & excitement! Building materials/concrete for free or reduced cost from local suppliers in exchange for same. Labour donated by local contractors, Rotary Club, skaters (in exchange for prizes for the vollys who log the most hours-donated from the local skate shop, restaurant, movie house, etc.) Set up a weekly report in the newspaper to keep interest high, even through the fundraising stage, & to give recognition to various donors & to keep interest high.

Skateboard Contest
Set up a few ramps in conjunction with a local sk8 spot, get donations for prizes & charge an entry fee. Contact the big skate mags & companies-tell them your plan & they'll donate some goods for prizes or a raffle. Sell food & drink, your T-shirts etcÉ

Skate-a-thon
Pledges for a 24 hr. skate-a-thon. Good for news coverage.

T-Shirts
Have the skaters select a good local artist/skater to design a T-shirt, get some printed at wholesale (donations/cost?) prices. Sell them at the skate shop, rec. centre, events, etc.

Raffle
As mentioned above-get a huge prize package going-hit anyone & everyone up for big prizes. Save the skater related stuff for the volly prizes-go for a car for this one-generate large interest!

Silent Auction
Skate equipment, art, bachelor/bachelorette, whatever you can get to sell (either donated/profit sharing).

Bottle Drives

Garage Sales/Flea markets

Bark Mulch/Manure Sales

"Line a Loonie"
Decide on a distance that you feel could be lined in $1 coins in a 6-10 hr. period-by donation. Advertise, & do it downtown!

Gigs
Get local bands & bring in a famous group as well-charge a little cash to get in, sell concessions. Raise awareness.

Demos
Contact a skate company to see if they'll stop in your town for no charge on their tour schedule to help raise money for a skatepark. Charge a small fee to see.

City Councilor/Police/Youth Events/Pledges
Separate or all together. Organize any type of "a-thon" & watch these groups battle it out for first place while collecting pledges.

Gourmet Lollipops
Sell these great lollipops for over twice the cost that Marg Elliot [(604) 985-6868] sells them to you for. Easy & tasty. Sell them at events, stores, the rec. centre & more.

Find Your Local Fundraising Company
Usually chocolate almonds or bars-like the soccer team sells. Door to door or in the store.

Pizza Pzazz

Quality pizza with organic flour available for fundraising drives. Call [BC] (604) 420-5820 or fax 261-5850.

Hershey Chocolates Fundraising
www.hersheyfundraising.com -1800-667-1272 Specially packages HersheyÕs Kisses available for fundraising.

William Kent/Pam McIntyre at Sharecare.
888-30SHARE. Sign people on to AT&T & get percentages of their monthly phone bills. This one is apparently good!

Local Service Clubs
Local Service clubs- Rotary, Kinsmen etc. -can be helpful in many ways. They lend credibility to your cause, & have many connections to secure donated building materials & labour.

ICBC Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Grant
BC only-check your provincial auto insurance provider.

Canada Millennium Fund-Grants

The Vancouver Foundation-Grants for BC

Community Grants Branch

Library
Hit your local library in search of books listing grant organizations. These books should list donors including a list of what kind of causes they donate to i.e.) youth, sports & rec., traffic safety, community development, rural areas development-think of all the areas that apply to your skatepark.

Further Ideas To Cut Costs:
Organize a way for skaters/interested parents etc. to volunteer their labour on the skatepark. From unskilled to skilled labour-thereÕs always lots of work!

Contact a local trade school & arrange for their student carpenters, concrete workers etc. to build the park as a school project. Make sure that they know that you are a Òworthy causeÓ.

Once your ÒpublicÓ fundraising campaign has been noticed by the community (make sure that the newspaper attends all events) you can hit local building suppliers for donated or cost reduced materials-concrete, rebar, lumber etc.

ENTHUSIASM, ENERGY, EXPOSURE, HYPE!

Building a skatepark is a chance to shed the negative stereotype that skaters have. Show people that you're smart, just out to enjoy yourselves-like skiers, golfers, or anyone who challenges themselves with an individual sport. You deserve a place to recreate, just as baseball & soccer players have. It's just skateboarding!

Those are some ideas to get you started.

Just some thoughts!

Get back ASAP with any questions, comments, whatever!!! Keep in touch,

Jim Barnum