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Fundraising Ideas
submitted by Jim Barnum of Spectrum Skatepark Creations
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
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