The KaBOOM! - Rules of the playground

Transcription

16413_i-064_Fund.qxp
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Copyright © 2005 KaBOOM!
Published in 2005 by KaBOOM!
4455 Connecticut Ave. NW
Suite B100
Washington, DC 20008
The information, materials, forms and worksheets found in this book
are the sole copyright of KaBOOM!.
In the spirit of sharing our knowledge, this content may be reproduced for use in local
planning. Written permission is not required, but proper credit is appreciated.
Questions about this policy should be referred to KaBOOM! at 202-659-0215.
Printed in the United States of America.
Fifth Edition
ISBN 0-9679788-6-6
EX
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The KaBOOM!
Community FUNdraising ManualTM
was a collaborative effort of the
entire KaBOOM! team.
Special thanks to Georgia Gillette, Julie Cipriani, Kate Becker,
Mary Barr, Carrie Suhr and Laura Goodman.
KaBOOM! also extends appreciation to the following friends of KaBOOM!
who contributed time and expertise: Pat Chandler, Barbara Erlandson
and Scott Gelzer.
Finally, KaBOOM! celebrates and thanks the hundreds of communities and
children who have shared their knowledge, dreams and stories with us.
Their collective experiences and wisdom have made our work,
and this book, possible.
PLAY!
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K
N
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TH
YOU!
3C
HE
ER
Three cheers to our Funding Partners for investing in the KaBOOM!
community-build process. With friends like you, we are working to create
a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.
Special thanks to our Funding Partners
. . . for making our PlaySpace journey possible!
The Home Depot
Stride Rite
The Madison Square Garden’s Cheering for Children Foundation
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
American Eagle Outfitters Foundation
CNA Foundation
Computer Associates
Sprint Foundation
Smart Start Georgia
Armstrong Foundation
SP
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I
IR
YOU
ROCK
!
The Power to Change
a Child’s World
S!
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If you wanted to make an immediate, tangible and long-lasting impact on the life of a child,
what would you do? Perhaps you'd take that child to a playground - what better way to get
outside, meet new friends, experiment, dream, and collapse in fits of giggles? Perhaps on that
playground, he or she would start dreaming of being an astronaut, a sea captain or an athlete.
Play is what makes childhood great and memorable.
If you wanted to make an impact on a whole generation of children, what would you do?
Perhaps you'd make sure that every young person in every neighborhood in every city has
access to a safe and healthy place to play. You'd make sure that they have the opportunity to
develop important physical, mental and social skills, as well as experience the freedom and joy
of childhood. At KaBOOM!, we've taken on that task, and we're engaging communities in every
aspect of building playspaces. We're working to empower ordinary individuals to enact
extraordinary change - starting with YOU!
Children are indeed our future, but what kind of future are we preparing them for by allowing
them to play in abandoned cars and needle-strewn lots, or on deteriorated playground
equipment? An estimated 75% of America's existing playgrounds are unsafe1, and every two
and a half minutes, a child goes to an emergency room due to a playground-related injury.
Children and youth need safe outlets for releasing their energy, and communities need more
welcoming public spaces where we can relax, socialize and build networks of community
support.
At KaBOOM!, we don't just believe in play - we believe in giving power and responsibility back
to the very people who use and maintain community playspaces in their neighborhoods.
Throughout North America, KaBOOM! has guided more than 2,000 communities through the
process of building and renovating safe playgrounds, skateparks and fields using a grassroots,
volunteer-led model. Your community is next! By opening this book, you've opened the
opportunity to change a child's world, one playspace at a time. Welcome to the communitybuilt playspace journey! Thank you for beginning this exciting process and joining our
movement. Seize the day for play!
1
Data from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, 2002.
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There was once a man who had been traveling for a long time. Having run out of food, he was
weary and hungry from his journey. When he came upon a small village, he thought, "Maybe
there is someone I could share a meal with."
But when the villagers saw him, they decided to hide their food. It had been a long winter and
they didn't have very much. "Let's hide it under the bed," one person said. "Let's say a wolf ate
all of it," said another.
When the man knocked at the first house, he asked the woman who answered, "Could you spare
a bit of food?" I've traveled a long way and am very hungry."
"I'm sorry, but I have nothing to give you," the woman replied.
So the traveler went to the next door and asked again. The answer was the same. He went from
door to door and each time he was turned away.
But then one villager said, "All I have is water."
"Oh, good," said the traveler. "We can make some soup from that water. We can make stone
soup."
He asked the man for a cooking pot and started building a small fire. As the water started
boiling, a passing villager stopped and asked him what he was doing. "I'm making stone soup,"
the traveler replied. "Would you like to join me?" The curious villager agreed.
"First, we must look for a special stone," said the traveler. "One with magic in it." Together they
searched the village, looking for just the right one. When they found it, they put it in the pot to
simmer.
People from the village heard about this strange man who was making soup from a stone.They
started gathering around the fire. "What does your stone soup taste like?" one of the villagers
asked. "Well, it would be better with a few onions," the traveler admitted. "Oh, I have some
onions," he replied.
Another villager said, "I could bring a few carrots." Someone else offered, "I'll get some potatoes
from my garden."
One by one, each villager brought something to add to the pot. What had started as nothing
but a pot of boiling water and a magic stone was now a delicious soup - enough to feed the
whole village. They all sat down together to enjoy the miracle they'd helped to create.
- Anonymous
Adapted from a 16th century folktale
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So you've decided that your community needs a new playspace. Fantastic! Active play and
outdoor public spaces are vital ingredients for a healthy community, and every child deserves
access to them. This practical, step-by-step manual will show YOU how to fund a new
playground, skatepark or field in your neighborhood - all through a volunteer-led process.
We like to think of the community-build process as a "road trip" where the trip itself is just as
much fun as the destination. Your destination, of course, is a new playspace for the children
or youth in your community. But as you work toward that goal, it's important to reflect on
the unique opportunity that lies before you. Through the community-build model, you
KaBOOM! offers a
can use your playspace project as a launching pad to build new friendships, discover
hidden talents in yourself and others, empower community leaders, instill lasting
range of services to
volunteer spirit, and spread joy and pride in your community. Surprises wait around
empower community
every bend, and if you rise to the challenge you'll arrive at your destination stronger
playspace-builders. You've
and more confident than when you began. The more you put in, the more you'll
get out - so seize this opportunity!
already got the complete
Mile Markers 1-8 introduce you to the primary methods you might consider for
funding your playspace. As we state several times throughout this manual, the
best approach relies on a mix of several of these strategies that are right for your
community. Mile Marker 9 is a fun-filled chapter packed with 101 fundraising
ideas. The Appendix offers several key sample documents and concepts that
might help you on your fundraising journey. Finally, we conclude by sharing a few
of our favorite online fundraising Websites and resources.
road map in hand, so all you
need is the engine to power
you across the finish line - our
FREE online Project Planner.
Set up yours today at
www.kaboom.org!
The Community FUNdraising Manual works in conjunction with our FREE Online
Project Planner service, which allows you to organize your volunteer lists, manage
budgets, plan fundraisers, solicit donations and generate a personalized public
Website. You can access the project planner by visiting www.kaboom.org.
In addition, the other books in the KaBOOM! Toolkit series supplement this guide with
in-depth information on specific topics: the Community-Build PlaySpace Manual, the
Community Assets & Resources Manual, and the PlaySpace Owner's Manual.
You're on the road to a stronger, more child-friendly community, so pack your lunch and step on
the gas. We've got the map!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
- Confucius
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Table of Contents
MILE 1: THE WHAT,WHY AND HOW OF FUNDRAISING ...........................1
MILE 2: PREPARING TO FUNDRAISE .........................................................7
MILE 3: THE TASK OF "THE ASK" .............................................................11
MILE 4: THE POWER OF PEOPLE: SECURING INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT ...14
MILE 5: GETTING BUSINESS BUCKS FOR YOUR PLAYGROUND.............27
MILE 6: GRANT WRITING 101 .................................................................43
MILE 7: HAVING A BALL: AN INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EVENTS......51
MILE 8: EVALUATING YOUR FUNDRAISING SUCCESS ...........................63
101 TRIED AND TRUE FUNDRAISING IDEAS ..........................................65
APPENDIX .............................................................................................123
Resource A Community-Build PlaySpace Budget Items .................................................................123
Resource B Sample Query Letter (General) ..........................................................................................144
Resource C Sample Mini-Proposal ..........................................................................................................145
Resource D Sample Meeting Flyer ..........................................................................................................147
Resource E Prospect Letter ........................................................................................................................148
Resource F Foundation Giving Areas and Relation
to a Community-Built PlaySpace Project ........................................................................................... ..149
Resource G Foundation Worksheet ........................................................................................................150
Resource H Letter of Inquiry .....................................................................................................................153
Resource I Standard Components of a Proposal ................................................................................154
Resource J Grant Cover Letter ..................................................................................................................159
ONLINE FUNDRAISING RESOURCES ....................................................160
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WHY
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~"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.
The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." — Dale Carnegie
Simple question, right? Fundraising is about raising money! Well, yes and no. Fundraising is
about raising money, but it's also about much, much more than that. Fundraising is a scary word
for a lot of people, and some think fundraising is the goal. Fundraising shouldn't be scary, nor
should it be your goal. Fundraising is a means to an end. In this case, fundraising is a way to
achieve the goal of a wonderful, fun, safe, community-built playspace for your children.
Fundraising is a complex business. It encompasses everything from writing sophisticated
federal grants to selling snazzy corporate sponsorships to the good ol' bake sale. It is not for the
faint of heart. It brings about rejection and anxiety, and summons courage and conviction.
When fundraising is done well, however, it amounts to much more than money. Done well,
fundraising is friend-raising, and should be thought of as a process of building important and
lasting relationships with supporters.
There is no "right" way to fundraise. Fundraising takes many different forms and can be
accomplished in a wide variety of ways. This book will introduce you to some of the basics of
fundraising, and will help you develop a plan that is right for you and your community. Based
on our years of experience and collaboration with hundreds of community groups, KaBOOM!
recommends that communities prepare a diverse fundraising plan that encompasses a variety
of tactics and strategies.
No matter the size of your planning team, your organization, your playspace, or even your
budget, all good fundraising begins with one important principle: PASSION. Take a moment to
think about why you're involved in this community playspace project. Think about the need in
your community. Think about the children who will play in your future playspace, and think
about the adults that will work together to make it happen. Think about your own play
experiences as a child. Why are you doing this? Why do you care? How will a playspace change
the lives of children and how will it improve your community?
The Community FUNdraising Manual
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In the space below, jot some words down, draw a picture—document however you choose - key
concepts that will help you remember your "why?".
As you read this book, and as you begin executing your fundraising plan, don't ever forget this
WHY. Throughout the process, and in all your fundraising endeavors, make sure that your
passion for this project shines through.
Here's a great story that sums up the importance of passion and persistence to grassroots
fundraising. A woman named Kate Bradley was raising money for a health clinic in Petros,
Tennessee when she found out that the local railroad company (the landowner) was planning
to sell the land around its unused tracks, including the land for the proposed clinic. The
politicians in the area recognized this opportunity, and were willing to outbid any offer,
including Mrs. Bradley's. Of course, being businessmen, politicians, and landowners they could
very easily outbid Mrs. Bradley and her committee. She, however, persevered and made an
appointment with the president of the railroad company. After driving hundreds of miles for the
meeting, Mrs. Bradley looked the president straight in the eye and said, "Sir, I know these
politicians can give you a lot more money - but I just want you to know that our money comes
from cupcakes. We've had a rummage sale every Saturday and held dinners and bake sales.
Everyone in the community has given me a quilt, a jar of beans, or some preserves to sell for the
clinic. That's where my bid comes from." The president right then and there sold Mrs. Bradley's
committee the land and adjourned the meeting.
MILE 1: THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW OF FUNDRAISING
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Besides raising money, why else is fundraising so important? Below are a few of the other
equally important aspects and benefits of fundraising.
To Raise Public Awareness
Great fundraisers generate lots of publicity, which is sometimes just as valuable as cash. Every
single person that becomes aware of your fundraising campaign becomes aware of your
project and your mission. Even if they don't give a dollar, they might be able to help in other
ways. Don't underestimate the marketing mission of fundraising. You never know who might
become interested in your project!
To Involve More People
A well-planned and creative fundraiser is a natural magnet for attracting people to your project.
People are more apt to get involved in a project they heard about at a neighbor's benefit
barbeque, or at a great party. There is something to be said for the "little dollars, lots of people"
events. With more people becoming involved in your project, you'll have more resources to
draw from and a wider impact throughout your community.
Case in point: KaBOOM! worked with a community in California that was planning a spaghetti
dinner as part of their project's kick off.They decided to charge only $1 dollar a plate-much less
than they needed to just break even! However, at the end of the event, they had collected one
dollar from more than 400 individuals. They had the support of hundreds of people for further
fundraising activities and had a great base of names and contacts in the community. The entire
project planning committee turned out to be people who'd attended the initial spaghetti
dinner.
To Build Project Momentum
Fundraisers are an excellent way to keep the community excited and enthusiastic about your
project. If you've done much fundraising before, you know the rush you get when you land a
contribution - and how it drives you to get another one! At the community level, a good
fundraising campaign can energize lots of people who share a common, concrete goal.
To Get Kids Involved
Who can resist the face of a child? Not many people, which is why your community has decided
to take on your very own playground project! But, don't forget to have the children involved in
the fundraising process. The purpose of Design Day, for example, is to give kids a voice in the
process of the playground design, therefore giving them a sense of ownership once it has been
built. The same holds true in involving children in the fundraising process. They should know
how much their new playground will cost, and how much time and effort it takes to make it a
reality. Give the children ownership of the entire process so they have a better understanding
and appreciation of what it takes to make their playground happen.
Another advantage of involving children in the fundraising process is the fact that adults find it
difficult to say no to a child, especially when that child is trying to reach a goal. Have the kids
out there (with adult supervision and permission) in the trenches and involved in any
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fundraising events, where appropriate. You'll be amazed at how well they handle the
responsibility and the response they receive from the public. The experience will be invaluable.
Many adults fondly look back on their fundraising experiences as a child. Who can't remember
a lemonade stand at the end of the driveway on a hot summer day, or going door to door in
your neighborhood selling raffle tickets, candy bars, etc.
To Raise Money
Of course you want to fundraise in order to get more money for your project! Playgrounds
aren't cheap, and good fundraisers will allow you to have a bigger, better playground. As we've
said, though, don't let the money be the sole driving force in your fundraising campaign. If you
truly engage in grassroots fundraising that touches LOTS of people, you will eventually meet
your fundraising goal.
And to HAVE FUN!
KaBOOM!, and playspaces, are about FUN! Fundraisers should be fun events that everyone
(even the organizers!) looks forward to - that's why we call it FUNdraising. They can be
celebrations, meals, and parties that everyone shares. Plan a couple of weird and whacky ones,
just to make people laugh.
This is the magic question! As we've said, this book does not offer a KaBOOM! "magic bullet" for
playspace fundraising. Over the years, we've worked with hundreds of community groups and
have guided them to collectively raise approximately $4,000,000 for playspaces!! Along the
way, each and every community, however, designed a fundraising plan and mix that was right
for them. Hopefully, this book will reiterate some basic principles and jumpstart your thinking
so that you are more prepared to create a fundraising plan that makes sense for your
community.
Below are brief descriptions of some of the strategies you should consider for your plan.
Subsequent chapters will go into more detail about each strategy. As we've said, don't put all
your eggs in one basket. Choose several of these, yielding a fundraising plan that is diverse.
Individual Giving
Did you know that the majority (more than 80%) of charitable contributions in the private
sector come from individuals? Even more, a study by Arthur Blocks of the Maxwell School of
Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University showed that 19% of families living on
welfare give an average of $72 a year! Individuals give because they believe in a project or
cause, not because they are seeking income-tax benefits or even recognition. Because of this
fact, a broad range of contributions from many individuals may be the secret to your
fundraising success!
Direct Request Campaigns
Initiatives like door-to-door canvassing, direct mail and phone-a-thons are excellent strategies
to increase your pool of contributions and get the word out about your project. Sometimes a
newsletter or other token "gift" is exchanged for a donation.
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Special Events
Special events can include dances, dinners, garage sales, auctions and galas. Special events are
terrific fundraisers because they allow you to raise money, convey the message about your
program and frequently provide something of value to the donor. A special "signature" event
that is hosted annually may be part of your long-term strategy for playground maintenance and
programming.
Corporate and Business Sponsorship
Creating a partnership with a business to receive cash, in-kind support, product donations or
even employee involvement can be a smart move. Businesses of all sizes - from the Mom & Pop
grocery store in the neighborhood to the global corporation in the business park - have
resources to offer, if asked in a proper and timely fashion.
Corporate underwriting may mean that a business is providing cash to cover a specific item in
your budget; in-kind support may mean that a business' accountant is helping you to develop
your ticket-sales strategy for a special-event dinner-dance. Corporate sponsorship is the
provision of cash, goods, or services from a corporation or business in exchange for specific
marketing opportunities to promote that corporation. Sponsorship opportunities can take
many forms—from a corporate logo on a T-shirt, to a special corporate banner displayed at an
event, to name recognition in a program.
Corporate Philanthropy
As distinct from the above, corporate philanthropy is a monetary or in-kind contribution by a
business to support a particular cause and its benefit for the community. Don't forget that small
and medium size businesses may have corporate philanthropy programs—these days it's not
just limited to big corporations!
Private, Community and Government Foundations
Foundations have set aside money that may be given to groups or projects (called a grant),
usually according to a strict set of standards and procedures. In order to apply for these funds,
you usually must submit a formal proposal. A disadvantage to grants is that they are frequently
awarded on a tight schedule, and they are not an infinite, sustainable source of funds. You must
invest quite a bit of time in researching grants that truly fit your cause, and you must be able to
rely upon a solid writer. The advantage is that a community-build playspace project can fall into
a number of giving areas (community-development, youth, service, education, etc). and grants
can be a great boon to any fundraising campaign.
Crazy, Attention-Getting Gimmicks
Fundraising, just like your playground project, is about having fun! People react to novelty and
whim, so be sure to plan a few crazy ideas as part of your fundraising campaign! The "Kiss-a-Pig"
stints, where a local celebrity kisses a pig in exchange for contributions or when a significant
fundraising milestone has been reached, have become popular and successful. We know of one
middle school principal who dyed her hair bright blue as part of a fundraising challenge to her
students!
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Internet
Use of the Internet for fundraising purposes is fast becoming an important method of soliciting
funds. Websites are increasingly being designed exclusively for philanthropic giving purposes,
including grassroots initiatives.You will have to evaluate how "Internet-savvy" your community
is before embarking on an Internet fundraising campaign. For more ideas, on how to use the
Internet in your fundraising campaign, see select Websites that appear at the end of this
manual, in the Online Reference section.
As we've said, there is no magic bullet or best recipe for fundraising. What we can recommend
is you consider the pyramid below:
Large
Donation
($500+)
Foundations and Corporations
Medium Donation
($100-$500)
Small Donation
($1-$100)
Individuals and Small Businesses
Individuals
While it seems counter-intuitive, the greatest number of contributions to your playspace
project will probably come from a large number of smaller donations. Create a fundraising plan
that maximizes the power of the individual. Don't expect a business or foundation to give your
project a big break that will eliminate or reduce the need for further fundraising. Success at the
broad-base level helps position your project to those at the top, like businesses and
foundations.
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~”We have so little time, we must proceed very slowly." Buddhist saying
Plan, plan, plan and work your plan. These are the four most important steps of fundraising! In
all seriousness, a great deal of planning up front will save your team and make your plan all the
more successful in the end. In this chapter, we will outline the most important planning steps to
take in your fundraising journey.
For your fundraising campaign to be successful, you need a committed volunteer team. Your
team should consist of a variety of people who are each willing to commit at least 8 to 10 hours
a month to the playspace project. The team members don't have to be fundraising experts
(although this can be helpful!)—just individuals who are willing to reach out to a variety of
individuals and groups within your community to secure support for your project.
One great thing about the fundraising team is that different folks with a wide variety of skills are
needed. You definitely need a couple of gregarious members who are unafraid to meet lots of
people and ask for money. A good writer is always an asset; as is someone with an accounting
or finance background. Any team benefits from a positive "cheerleader." One person on the
team must serve as the chairperson or leader.The chairperson will oversee events and activities,
manage the budget, carefully record contributions, and facilitate communication between
team members.
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It is necessary to establish a budget for your project before planning your fundraising
campaign. This will help you raise money more effectively, as you'll be able to demonstrate to
potential donors that you have "done your homework." It will also make your project more
realistic and attainable for both you and your volunteers, as everyone will know what they are
working towards!
Playspace costs vary too much for us to be able to answer the seemingly simple question, "How
much will a playspace cost?" here. There are many critical variables, including the size of your
lot, the type of equipment you choose, your safety surfacing, and park amenities. A
detailed guide and worksheet for preparing your playspace budget appears in the
Appendix (appears in Resource A in the Appendix). Be sure to take the time now to
for
complete these worksheets to determine a working estimate and fundraising goal.
Set
monthly
fundraising goals
your project. This will
help you monitor your
progress and adjust your
plans when necessary.
Creating a simple project
name and logo has proven to
be a very helpful step for
many of our partners.
Consider trying to find a
graphic designer who will
donate his/her services.
Good fundraising is dependent on good publicity. Maximizing your case for
support and visibility early in the project is key to sparking interest/support and
maintaining people's involvement. Your fundraising materials become an
important tool for spreading the word about your project and generating
interest of potential donors. General materials you may need include the
following:
•
A letter that explains the community-built playground project
(Appendix Resource B);
• A mini-proposal that describes the project in greater detail
(Appendix Resource C);
• A flyer that advertises the Playground Build and how to get involved
(Appendix Resource D);
•
A fact-sheet about your project (a brief, bulleted summary)
•
A budget (Appendix Resource A);
•
A thank-you letter that thanks donors in advance for contributing to a great project
•
A Power Point presentation for use at meetings, conferences, etc.
•
A drawing or letter from a child who will benefit from the playground
•
Merchandise such as T-shirts, pins, etc.
MILE 2: PREPARING TO FUNDRAISE
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Be sure to schedule your fundraising events carefully.Timing is key for many of them, especially
those that are designed to be carried out around specific dates (like holidays or the beginning
of school). Every community's timeline is different, and depends upon many factors. If you are
considering applying for grants as part of your strategy, your timeline may need to be longer.
KaBOOM! recommends that you create a fundraising calendar so that you allow yourself plenty
of time to get in orders, submit materials, do plenty of follow-up, and breathe! A calendar will
also ensure that you pace the events evenly to avoid team and donor burnout. Last but not
least, begin your fundraising campaign as soon as possible!
Since our determining your exact, customized fundraising timetable is unrealistic, here
are a few major blocks of time to consider:
Beginning (As far as a year in advance, right on up to Design Day)
Some fundraising events are better for the beginning of your project. Strategically,
try to plan fundraisers that are more labor-intensive and complicated to plan early
on. You'll need to conserve your organizational skills and energy as you move to
Build Day!
Middle (From Design Day to about two months before the build)
Others are best during the "middle" period of your project. The secret here is to
schedule fundraisers that can accommodate lots of people.The more people you
bring into your project at this time means more people you can tap into for
volunteers on the build. High profile fundraisers are also good for this period, as
it leaves enough room for the additional publicity to be utilized, yet is close
enough to Build Day to grasp the attention.
While
your
fundraising calendar
will probably last all year
long, don't forget to take
advantage of the end-ofthe-year holiday spirit and
tax-write off opportunity!
Home Stretch (Last two months)
As you move toward Build Day, the number of fundraisers should decrease, in order
to conserve volunteers' energy. Focus on collecting money from children's fundraisers
(to build their excitement) and organize easy fundraisers.
The importance of recognition simply cannot be overstated when it comes to fundraising,
which is why we've included it as a Prep Step. All donors should receive a thank-you note, and
some may want even more public recognition. Be prepared up front. Do you want special note
cards printed with your project logo? If so, you'll need to have these designed and ordered
before your first donation comes in. Who on your committee will be responsible for writing
thank you notes? Begin thinking early on about public ways of thanking and acknowledging
sponsors. Ideas might include printing their names in your regular organizational newsletter,
printing their names on your Build Day program, special recognition at your ribbon-cutting
ceremony, etc.
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Professional fundraisers spend a lot of time on research-learning as much as they can about
prospects and donors so that they can tailor an "ask." Your project requires research, too. Each
strategy may require a different kind of research. For example, if you want to pursue business
bucks for your playspace project, someone on your team should begin to research the kinds of
businesses operating in your area, their giving history, etc. If you are interested in pursuing a
grant opportunity, you might assign someone else to research foundations in your area.
At this early stage, research might simply mean a productive brainstorming session with your
Fundraising Team members. Developing a list of potential donors in your community is a key
step to initiating your campaign. Do you know all of the individuals, organizations and
businesses in your community? If not, do you know who or what groups your fundraising team
members know? If your answer is no, conduct a brainstorming session with your team to
identify the individuals, organizations, and businesses within your community and any
connections your team members have with these resources.
Identifying the individuals, organizations and businesses within your community and the
resources they have is a community-development activity called asset mapping.Your asset map
can help you identify potential donors and groups or individuals who can provide support
(services, materials, etc.) for your project. Maximizing the number of community resources used
in your project can help expand the community ownership and investment in your project. For
more information on asset mapping, see the KaBOOM! A to Z Community Assets & Resources
Manual.
An important aspect of your fundraising campaign will be to solicit in-kind donations, so pay
particular attention to brainstorming individuals, businesses or organizations that might
provide goods or services that appear in your budget.
Asking for money is a really tough job, and this fear is normal and to be expected. Don't let
fundraising fear paralyze you and you team - move on to the next chapter for lots more advice
on conquering your fear of fundraising.
RAFFL
MILE 2: PREPARING TO FUNDRAISE
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~"A good fundraiser has thick skin, a soft heart, exceptional hearing, a quick mind, a slow tongue
and no shame - at least when it comes to asking for a gift." — Robert DeMartinis
Undoubtedly, the hardest thing about fundraising for everyone-be it a professional who's been
at it for years or a PTO volunteer for the first time-is actually having to ask someone for money.
Asking for money seems to be the great stumbling block to raising money, which is unfortunate
since there is really no other way to fundraise effectively! Most professional fundraisers will tell
you that people are far more likely to contribute to a cause or project if asked. In fact, according
to a 1994 Gallup Poll conducted for the nonprofit research and advocacy group called the
Independent Sector, people are more than twice as likely to give when asked directly than
when they are not. Similarly, people are more than four times as likely to volunteer when asked
than when they are not!
Sometimes you hear people say that fundraising is like begging - and that is a terrible
misconception! It will help you get over your fears about fundraising if you recognize that you
are asking for money in exchange for something of value. Be sure that you are clear about this
exchange, and make sure you invest time in crafting a message that allows prospects to
understand the value of your community-build playspace project.
Another antidote to the fear of fundraising is to refer back to your "WHY." The value of your
potential playspace is bigger than any fear you have! Keep your commitment in focus, and that
will help you conquer your natural doubts, fears and anxieties.
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Bottom line-success is asking. The only thing you can do is ask - ask straight-forwardly and
clearly, but ask. Sometimes failure in fundraising is as simple as a failure to ask.
The reality of asking for money means that people will indeed say no. Rejection is inevitable not everyone will have the time, interest, or resources to devote to your project, no matter how
great it is. People may say no for a million reasons.They may not have the money, they may have
established giving priorities, or it may just be a bad time of day. They may hate special events,
and they may dislike door-to-door canvassers. Rarely does their refusal have anything to do
with you or your project.
It is sometimes a delicate nuance, but an important one, to distinguish between a hard
"no" and a "maybe" or a "not right now." Perhaps they don't have a clear understanding
"Consider
that
of what your project is about and they need more information. Maybe it's just a bad
most people are
time for them financially. Especially as you become more skilled at fundraising,
hesitant to ask because
challenge yourself and your team members to make sure they're clear on whether a
rejection is a real "no." If it is, then accept that, and move on with your plan. A good
they hate to hear "No", but
way to deal with rejection is to turn it into a positive learning experience; don't
let's consider kids. If we are
forget that it is at least one more ask under your belt!
building for them, then let's
think like them. If a parent or
Your team can be an important source of support in learning to deal with
fundraising anxiety and rejection. Here are a couple of recommended group
grandparent says "No" after
exercises that you can do with others to improve your fundraising skills.
being asked for money, kids
usually just rephrase their ask "I promise I will only buy
This exercise gives the group an opportunity to look objectively at its collective
books" or they offer an
fears about asking for money.
alternative - "I'll do the
Each person imagines asking someone for a significant amount of money - over
dishes for a week". But, in
$50 for your playspace project. Going around the room, each person says what they
the end, they ask again
think will happen to them. It's a good idea to have a facilitator write down all the
and the more they ask,
feared outcomes. After five minutes, you should have a good list going that might
the more we give in. "
include responses like:
• The person will say no.
- A mom and a
• The person will yell at me.
fundraiser.
•
•
•
•
I know the person won't have the money.
It's an imposition on our relationship, and I will feel uncomfortable.
The person will ask me questions about the project I won't be able to answer.
The person will say "Maybe some other time."
Ask the group to look at the list and notice that fears generally fall into three categories:
1. Fears of a response that is extremely unlikely (I'll be yelled at)
2. Fears of a response that might happen, but that can be dealt with (“some other time",
difficult questions)
3. Fears of things that will definitely happen (someone will say no).
This exercise illustrates why people give, and why they don't. It also shows that there are
frequently more reasons to give than to not give.
MILE 3: THE TASK OF "THE ASK"
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Ask participants to imagine that an acquaintance has come to them explaining a cause with
which he/she is involved, and has asked for a gift. The gift should be an affordable amount, but
not one that could be given by everyone (somewhere between $25 and $50). For 30 seconds,
ask participants to write down all the reasons they might say yes to the request. Then, for the
next 30 seconds, ask them to write down all the reason they might not.
A facilitator will then ask members of the group to share ideas out loud, and will write the list
on a dry-erase board or flip chart so all can see.
Discuss the two lists. Try to categorize the responses into one of two categories:
1. Reasons that are not the asker's fault and could not have been known ahead of time.
2. Reasons that appear to be a "no," but might really be a "maybe."
Focus the discussion on the Category 2 responses. What approach or information might be
helpful to persuade this person to give?
If you are feeling nervous and uncomfortable about asking for a contribution, surely other
members of your Fundraising Team are, too! It is well worth talking about your concerns openly,
and relying on support from fellow teammates.
The Ask: Keep in Mind
No matter if you're canvassing, calling or mailing letters, or selling cupcakes, in order to
reach your fundraising goal, you have to tell people about your project and ask for their
support. And practicing your pitch is important. Here are five tips that will help you
prepare for the challenging, but rewarding task of The Ask!
1.
Be prepared. Practice your pitch beforehand. Keep it short and simple.
2.
Sell your playspace! You have a great product! Highlight the positive impacts the
playspace will have on your community.
3.
Don't get discouraged. Some people will give. Others won't. Don't take it personally
and keep asking!
4.
Be specific.Tell people how they can support your playspace. Give them certain dollar
amounts to choose from and let them know the impact that their donation will have.
Let them knowhow their $20 donation will be used. For example, to buy hardware,
paint, or safety surfacing.
5.
Thank everyone.
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~"Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead
The African saying "It takes a village to raise a child," is an important concept in fundraising.
While it may be tempting to target one big corporation or one wealthy individual in your
community for a large contribution, it is not necessarily the best strategy. According to a study
completed by the Independent Sector in 2000, 89% of households in the United States make
annual charitable donations.That's a lot of people, which is why individual giving is the heart of
grassroots fundraising. It is the people in your community that will be most responsible for
helping your project reach its fundraising goal! They are also the ones who will most benefit
from continued playspace maintenance and programming and, because of this, the ones most
likely to support your playspace way after build day. These folks are important and identifying
and reaching out to them should be a high priority. KaBOOM! is a believer that it sometimes is
more beneficial to ask for smaller contributions from a much greater number of individuals.
While soliciting major gifts from individuals may not be the primary way your group plans to
raise money, the principles and preparation involved in preparing for this kind of a direct ask
translate well into other kinds of fundraising activities. For example, some of the same steps
outlined in this chapter may be helpful if you plan a meeting with a local business.
Fundraising is all about building relationships with people. In this chapter, we will look at
strategies that will help you directly target an individual - whether through a connection and a
face-to-face meeting, a direct mail campaign or door-to-door canvassing.
MILE 4: THE POWER OF PEOPLE: SECURING INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
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Begin by brainstorming with your team a list of names, groups or organizations that you might
want to target. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Business Associates
Professional Groups
Teachers
Athletic Teammates
Parents/Families
Fire/Police Depts.
Religious Congregations
Alumni of School/Organization
Neighbors
Organization Members
People who you know, or who know people you know, will be your most likely prospects.
Solicitation that begins with a cold call or letter is always more difficult; try hard to compile a
solid list of people with whom you or your team member have a relationship.
STORY !
Robyn Mandel, a second grade teacher from Framingham, Mass. enlisted the
help of her school's PTO for her letter writing campaign. Prior to one of their
monthly meetings, Robyn sent an announcement to all PTO members asking them to bring the
names and contact information of five friends or family members who love play to the next
meeting. During the meeting she asked everyone to address an envelope to each person whose
contact information they brought along.Then, she stuffed the envelopes with her donation letter
and included "I Love Play!" bookmarks that her students made! What a great personal touch and
motivator!
Understanding the reasons why an individual might consider donating to your project can help
you prepare an approach that will best suit the situation. Competition in fundraising is high and
there is only so much money to be distributed. Individuals may provide the majority of
nonprofit organization contributions, but they also receive numerous requests for these
donations. Knowing why an individual is interested in your project or has given to your project
(or other similar projects) in the past will help you design an approach that will appeal to the
individual.
Some of the reasons individuals give include:
• They want to make a positive change in their community.
• They care about children.
• They are playful and believe in play.
• The project will directly benefit his/her own family/children.
• They have a personal tie to the project (live in the community, grew up there, etc)
• They were asked.
While most of us get immersed in the WHY of our playspace project, and can get caught up in
our own organizational needs, for fundraising it is very important that you devote some time to
putting yourself in a prospect's shoes. Why would they be interested in a playspace project?
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How will it positively impact their life? What does this person believe in? Remember, a
community-built playspace project can appeal to someone on a number of levels. Maybe it will
provide the prospect's children with a much-needed place to play. Maybe the prospect is a
homeowner in the neighborhood and a safe, new playspace will raise property values. Maybe
this person attended elementary school at the site 20 years ago and cherished his/her
memories!
Once you have drawn up your potential list of donors, be sure to research or talk to the people
who know them to try to get some insight into their perspective and background.
Use social math.
This step involves careful judgment (informed by facts gained through research and
This means putting
conversation) and the prospect's relationship/proximity to the cause. For example, a
mother who grew up in a particular neighborhood and has playground-aged
the price tag in human
children is more likely to give a larger gift than a stranger. Another important
terms. For instance, a
question to consider is not necessarily "How much money does this person have?",
school that has an
but rather, "Does this person have a history of charitable giving?"
enrollment of 600 means
that a playground costing Be specific about the value of a contribution. It is much more powerful to say "A
contribution of $500 will buy a colorful tic-tac-toe panel for the playground" than
$50,000
will
cost simply asking for $500.
approximately $20 per child
Try to decide how much each prospect is likely to donate, and ask each prospect
over a five-year period.
for 50 percent more. If the prospect feels that is too much money, maybe he or
Twenty dollars is a small
she will donate what you expected initially.
"investment" to make in a
child's life.
Now you have a list of your potential donors, you have a connection(s) with the
individuals, you have an idea of their motivations to donate, and you have determined
a specific amount to request. It's time to put this information together and create your
approach.
Your approach should be as personalized as possible and provide the potential donor a
compelling case for supporting your project. The approach should:
•
•
•
•
Express why your project is important to the community and the prospective donor
Address the potential donor's reason for giving
Highlight the community impact
Include the amount you are requesting
S
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The absolute best way to schedule a meeting is through a personal contact, so do your best to
target an individual that you, or someone you know, knows.
If you do not have a connection to the prospect, you'll have to send an informational letter to
the individual outlining your project, informing them that you would like to schedule a meeting
to discuss a possible contribution. Inform the individual that you will call them in a few days to
set up a meeting. (See Resource E in the Appendix for a sample prospect letter).
The purpose of the phone call is to set up the meeting and determine if there are any
specific issues the potential donor would like further information about. If the individual
donates money over the phone, you should offer to meet with him/her anyway out of
courtesy.
Be sure that your potential donor understands that you would like to meet to
request a donation. Otherwise, they may feel deceived when you arrive and ask for
money. Your letter should clearly express your plan.
Story-telling is
super powerful, even
for adults. Tell a story
about how your project
came about, about a child
who will play there, or about
how/why you got involved.
The purpose of the meeting is to ASK for money. Asking for money isn't easy for
many people. Remember that you are not asking for a personal donation - you
are selling a great product (the playspace) that will impact your entire
community.
That said, you should not start your meeting with the ask - you have to build up to
it! Begin the meeting by introducing yourself and your connection. Acknowledge
any previous relationship or support of your organization or project.
When presenting your case for support, try to make your case bigger than your
project - talk about the importance of play! Talk about your organization/project and
the need for a playground for the children in the community. Show the individual
pictures of the current site or of potential designs for the new playground. Use quotes from
children and local residents to describe the desire and need for playgrounds in the
neighborhood. Balance any reference to need with accentuation of the positive potential
impact. For example, highlight the positive impact the project will have on the community and
how the project will affect the individual.
Offer the opportunity of a "test drive." Before expecting a full commitment, invite the prospect
to a meeting, site tour, or other venue in which you can show off your work.
At the end of your presentation, after answering any questions the potential donor might have,
it's time to ask.This is the most critical part of the conversation and often the most difficult.Your
request should be clear and direct, "Will you help us with a $XXX donation to the playground?"
Respect the individual's desire to think about the proposal, but be sure to make arrangements
for follow up, "I'll call you in three days to follow up. Will that be enough time?"
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Tips from the Sales Force BOX
• Listen - don't do all the talking.
• Express the benefits of their participation/contribution.
• Know the individual or organization's needs and interests.
• Ask for an appropriately-sized donation. Be flexible.
• Don't show disappointment in a refusal or smaller gift than requested.
• Don't leave the initiative up to the prospect - make it easy to donate or get involved.
• ALWAYS send a thank you note and follow-up materials after a meeting or request.
How you end a meeting is just as important as how you begin. Be sure to give plenty of time to
answer questions. Thank the person for his/her time and consideration. Here's how to respond
to a few common scenarios:
They make a commitment
Restate what you understand their commitment to be.
THANK THEM and ask if they need anything in writing. Make
your own commitment to follow-up regarding details.
They ask for or agree to
review a proposal.
Narrow down what they are interested in, and commit to
delivering the proposal/information by a certain date.
They resist or respond
negatively.
Ask what their specific objections are, and try to counter
them politely (Try language like "Can you tell me why . . . ?")
If you can't get an immediate commitment, ask them to
review a proposal. Try to determine the real reason for the
negative response. Was it not clear how the money would
be used? Can this person not make that decision?
They object to the amount
you requested.
Ask them to give what they can, or ask what they would
consider giving at this time.
They indicate interest in
other areas.
Empathize, but bear in mind that few people give only to
one cause. Bring their attention back to the multiple
benefits of your project. Give a sense of urgency and
importance.
!
L
SEL
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Yes, follow-up with contacts can be time consuming, but all of your hard work will be lost if you
fail to follow up with potential donors. Follow up within 24 hours of a meeting with a thank you
note and send any requested materials, or materials that could help sell the individual on your
project. If an individual is still deciding whether he or she will donate, contact him or her in three
days to answer additional questions and to ask for the donation again. Be persistent, yet polite,
appeal to his or her self-interest and pull at those heartstrings! NEVER leave the initiative to get
involved up to the prospect.
Even with an excellent approach and a remarkable project, rejection is inevitable - not everyone
will have the time, interest or resources to devote to your project, no matter how wonderful it is!
Be respectful of an individual's choice not to donate to your project. If the prospect isn't willing
or can't contribute monetarily, you might consider asking for in-kind services, materials or
referrals. Does the individual know of businesses that could print the playground programs or
donate food? Or better yet, will the prospect come out and participate as a volunteer? Are there
other prospects whom we can contact?
You should send a thank-you note to every potential donor with whom you meet, even if the
individual does not contribute to the project. Thank you cards are a great way to engage the
children in your project. Have them create cards, drawings or notes to be given as simple thank
you's to remind everyone of the young people whose lives will be impacted by your playground
project. In addition to a thank you, you should also consider public recognition for all individuals
who donate to the project (at meetings, on signs, at the ribbon cutting, etc.) Creating a positive
experience for the donor could encourage his or her continued support of other communitybuilt projects.
The Five I's of Fundraising
Identify
Investigate
Inform
Involve
Invite
So besides relying on your address book, how else can you target individuals successfully? Here
are a couple of tried-and-true ways community organizers can solicit funds from individuals.
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Letter writing campaigns are a fun and easy way to inform community members about your
project and how they can get involved. They also offer a great opportunity to reach out to
friends and family just down the street or across the country! Follow these steps to create a
letter writing campaign that produces results!
Develop Your Mailing List
Who will you send donation letters to? EVERYONE you know! And EVERYONE your playspace
committee members know! Include everyone! Don't assume that a friend or relative won't
give. Give them the option to donate by sending them a letter and let them decide
whether they'd like to donate. You'll be surprised how supportive they will be!
Add a little
playspace pizzazz to
Write Your Letter!
your letter writing
For many people the most difficult part of a letter writing campaign is writing the
campaign by using bright letter. Don't let this stop you. Just think about what you want readers to know and
write it! The one thing you should remember is to get to the point. Make sure you
paper and envelopes. To
let readers know why you are writing.You won't get a donation if you don't ask for
make your letter really stand one. The following tips will help you write your letter:
out from the rest print it on a
postcard or paper that's • Write your letter from the heart. When writing, ask yourself "Why is this
playspace project important to me?".
shaped like a swing
or seesaw!
•
Don't stop at telling your project's story. What's the goal of your campaign?
Do you want it to result in more build day volunteers? Financial
contributions? Or, in-kind donations? Think about what you need and then
ask for it in your letter.
•
•
Be sure to include your project's contact information. Let your potential
donors know how they can get more information and who they should contact.
SET A DEADLINE! Deadlines are motivators. They let potential donors know how
long they have to act and also provide you with the opportunity to follow-up with
readers to remind them of the donation deadline.
•
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Don't forget to include your thanks and
appreciation. Whether or not the reader donates to your project, they still took the
time to read about your project!
•
Make it easier for potential donors to give by including a donation form and selfaddressed, stamped envelope along with your letter.
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How to Write the Perfect PlaySpace Fundraising Letter
1.
Tell them why you are writing. Tell the reader about the lack of playful spaces in your
community and how your project will address this.
2.
Make it personal. Tell them why you decided to get involved.
3.
Solicit a contribution. DON'T FORGET TO STATE WHAT YOU NEED! Tell the reader how
they can support your project and its benefits.
4.
Set a deadline for contributions.
5.
Thank you! Thank them for taking the time to read your letter and for their potential
donation.
6.
Sign the letter. Include a handwritten signature even if your name appears at the
bottom of the printed letter.
Stuff Those Envelopes!
Think about having an envelope stuffing party. Invite your committee members to join you to
sign, label, and stuff envelopes and be sure to ask them to bring their address books! But, before
you lick the envelope, think about what you'd like to include other than the letter such as:
• Donation form
• Self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easier for folks to mail their donation.
Don't worry about this if it is cost prohibitive.
Mail Them and Follow Up!
The work isn't over once the letters are mailed. Remember to follow up with everyone on your
mailing list. Give them a reminder call when the donation deadline is approaching.
Thank You!
Be sure to follow each donation you receive by either a thank you call or a thank you note in the
mail. You may want to consider drafting a thank you letter template that you can easily
customize to save time.
Other Considerations:
Matching Funds
Many employers will match their employees’ charitable contributions. Mention this in your
letter to potential donors.
Can Folks Donate Online?
Think about setting up an online donation option, especially if your project has a Website.There
are many donation Websites that will set up an account for your project. Do a little research to
find one that meets your needs. You can start by visiting www.networkforgood.org.
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Are Donations Tax Deductible?
If you are a nonprofit with 501(c) 3 status, donations made to your project may be tax
deductible. Your donors should seek the advice of an accountant or tax attorney to determine
whether donations to your project are tax deductible.
STORY !
Success in Nebraska! Kathy DeWitt's playground project ran a letter writing
campaign that raised $24,000! She attributes her success to asking for specific
amounts of cash, reminding potential donors about the benefits of her project, and
acknowledging donations. Kathy says "You receive what you ask for. When you ask people for a
specific amount, they are more likely to give it to you because they know what you need. "Kathy
and her committee sent out about 1,200 letters and received 250 donations. The average
donation was $100!
E-mail is fast becoming a fundraising staple. E-mail allows organizers to cultivate and solicit donors
in a timely and inexpensive way. Many groups have benefited from well-planned e-mail
campaigns, similar to the traditional letter-writing campaign (above) or phone campaign (below).
If your project or organization has a Website, be sure to integrate your URL into your e-mail
campaign.
E-mail Addresses
Just as with the other strategies listed here, a successful e-mail campaign depends on a good list
with current and correct e-mail addresses. Where do you start? Depending on your project and
your organization,you may already have a contact list of constituents,members and families. If not,
it's never too late to start! Make sure that you distribute a mailing/contact list at all of your special
events and meetings. It is essential to the reputation of your group and the success of your project
that you ask for people's permission before sending any e-mail communication!
Cultivate Relationships
Again, e-fundraising doesn't differ from traditional methods all that much. Before a prospect
becomes a donor, you have to develop a relationship. Consider a quarterly electronic newsletter
that updates folks on your success and planning. Be sure to provide recipients with a phone
number, too.
Gain Permission
Online privacy and spamming (sending unsolicited e-mail) are serious issues, and legislation is
changing daily. To avoid any problem and to protect the integrity of your project, it is critical that
you ask permission before sending an e-mail, and include an "opt-out" option should recipients
decide they no longer want to receive e-mails.
Make It Easy
Your e-mail ask must be concise and compelling - and easy for a donor.The most successful e-mail
solicitations provide an easy "click-to-give" opportunity. Depending on the size and scope of your
group,you may want to work with an accountant or technology specialist to set up a direct transfer
service to ease electronic payment (www.verisign.com and www.paypal.com are two industry
leaders). If not, make sure to include information about how to pay with a check or credit card!
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A successful phone-a-thon requires three elements: a contact list with accurate information, the
right callers, and phones!
A Good List
Who are you calling? And why? Two key ingredients to a successful phone-a-thon are ensuring
that you are calling the right people and telling those people the right things. Ensure your
phone-a-thon is a success by separating your list into categories. This will help you tailor your
script to who you are calling. What you say to those already familiar with your project will
differ from what is said to a potential donor who is hearing about it for the first time. You
may also want certain people to call a certain list. For example, if you are calling alumni
Your phone-a-thon
from your local high school, you may want to assign that list to a volunteer who is also
will run smoothly and
an alumnus. Personal connections are great ice breakers!
The Right Callers
Enlist the right callers! If a person is going to take time out of their busy schedule
to make phone calls for your project, they probably believe in your mission and
are committed to helping you achieve your goal.That kind of commitment comes
through over the phone and it's contagious!
Phones
Once you've figured out who you are calling and why you are calling them, it's
important to have phones so that your volunteers can make calls! If you are
affiliated with an organization that has ample office space and telephone lines,
you probably won't have a hard time scheduling your phone-a-thon. However, if
you don't have access to several phone lines, you may want to:
be more successful with a
little organization. Prepare
a call list, donation sheet,
script,and volunteer schedule
ahead of time.Give volunteers
the script a couple of days
before the event so they can
practice and get comfortable
with it.
•
Ask your employer or have committee members ask their employers to
donate office space and phones lines. Most phone-a-thons occur after
regular work hours. This should make finding space an easy process. Be sure
to discuss whether the employer will permit your volunteers to make long
distance calls.
•
Use cell phones. Ask your volunteers to donate some of their minutes and bring their
cell phones to the phone-a-thon. Or, consider making calls during the weekend when
many cell phone services are free of charge.
If you can't secure a phone for every volunteer, consider having volunteers work in shifts. Some
volunteers can staff the phones while others track donations and write thank you cards. This
creates a team atmosphere and gives folks a break from calling.
!
N
O
I
T
A
N
I
M
R
E
DET
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And, don't forget organization!
Follow these steps to ensure your event is a success!
Plan
• Decide how much money you want to raise during the phone-a-thon.
• Decide on phone-a-thon date, time and location.
• Figure out how many volunteers you'll need. Think about this: one person can
average 20-30 calls an hour and will probably get to speak to about 10 people. Out of
those 10 people, approximately two to five are likely to support your project.
• Get your materials together.
• Have food and snacks donated.
Materials
• Write script outlines. You may need more than one version if you are calling various
groups.
• Organize and print out call lists for volunteers. Be sure to include a place for them to
keep track of whom they spoke to, where they left messages, and who donated.
• Make a packet for volunteer callers that includes a script, fact sheet, pledge form, calling
list, and tally form.
• Create festive signs and get balloons to decorate the calling area and keep volunteers
excited. Use a "fundraising thermometer" to let volunteers know how much money they
are helping raise!
Recruit Volunteers
• Your phone-a-thon won't be much of an event if you don't have anyone to make calls.
Recruit volunteers ahead of time.
• Create your volunteer schedule ahead of time.
• Get excited! Let volunteers know just important the event and their work are.
• Make it fun! Try to find a restaurant that will donate a great meal or snacks for your
phone-a-thon night. Celebrate milestones and success with a celebration, no matter
how informal or impromptu.
Prep
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do a short volunteer training at the beginning of each phone-a-thon night.
Introduce volunteers to one another.
Inform volunteers of the evening's fundraising goal.
Review who volunteers will be calling and how to fill out the paperwork.
Role play! Have volunteers act out various call scenarios.
Motivate!
Execute
• Make it fun! Provide a festive atmosphere for volunteers. This will help keep them
motivated.
• Check-in with callers regularly to see how it's going and problem solve.
• Give out prizes! For the person who receives the most yeses, raises the most money, gets
the funniest response, etc.
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Debrief and Follow-Up
• At the end of the evening, have volunteers share their thoughts about the event.
• Give people a chance to briefly share some call stories. Encourage them to share
positive ones and silly ones too!
• Collect paperwork, including call lists and pledge forms so you can follow-up with
donors.
• Thank volunteers!
The Phone Script
The best phone script is an uncomplicated one. Keep it short and simple! It should include
an introduction of the person who is calling and of your project, tell people why they are
receiving a call and engage them! Follow this up with your "ask" - for a specific amount of
money - and then wrap it up with a thank you!
Tell your volunteers to think of the script as an outline. Have them engage the person they
are calling in a conversation and use the script as a guide. Ask them to try not to read the
script to the person they are calling. The potential donor will be able to pick up on it and
may tune out. The goal is to be as genuine as possible and the most effective calls are the
ones that come from the heart!
With a little planning, a well-staffed and organized phone-a-thon can raise a lot of money
and move your project closer to reaching its fundraising goal. Happy calling!
s From an Expert: Barbara Erlandson, President, Erlandson Associates
•
You want the recipient of the call to be in a "yes" frame of mind. To do this, you can ask
questions that are most likely to elicit a "yes" response — and, more importantly, avoid
any questions that may cause the recipient to say "no".
•
Also, there can be a tendency to stay on the phone too long. You should keep your
sentences fairly short and have no more than two sentences in a row before asking for
a "yes" response. Most calls should not last longer than five minutes!
STORY !
Kathy Lawrence of Long Island, NY and her playspace committee tried to be
strategic with their canvassing. Everyone in their community supported the
local high school football team, and their home games were big events. So, Kathy and her
committee panned for their playspace at an intersection that everyone driving to the football
game had to pass. Pretty soon she had buckets full of support! Go Team!
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Canvassing is many things. It can be volunteers going door-to-door, or setting a table in front of
a local store, or asking for donations at traffic lights - or all three! Playspace canvassing means
volunteers going into the community to inform folks about your project and how to support it.
How you do this is up to you and your committee.
In some locations, volunteers may want to consider setting up a booth in a location with a lot
of foot traffic such as a shopping mall. In urban areas, try canvassing near busy subway or bus
stops, large office buildings, or shopping malls. Those in areas that are more rural can set up
at county fairs, sporting events, or busy stores.
Before canvassing
Think about the places in your community that almost everyone has to pass or
in front of any kind of
frequent. Then, gather your volunteers and start canvassing! For safety, pair your
business, be sure to
volunteers up and don't let anyone canvass alone. Besides, canvassing is much more
contact the management. fun with a group!
Tell them about your
amazing project and when
you are planning to build.
Who knows what other kind
of support this could lead
too!
ART!
DES
S
IGN
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~The word philanthropy has its roots in the Greek language meaning "love for mankind." It was
never meant to apply only to donors of thousands or millions of dollars. — Arthur Frantzreb
"Brought to you by . . . " You hear these words before and after many sporting events, television
shows and concerts. What does it mean? It means that some business has spent big bucks to
integrate their product marketing with such an event. Sponsorship is a great marketing
strategy and yields sponsors a high return on investment. Sponsorship is also an important
opportunity for you to consider when it comes to fundraising for your playspace.You may think
that your playspace build does not have a lot in common with a NASCAR race, or with the latest
tour of a rock legend, but it does! Both have powerful, emotional connections to people and
are events attended by lots of folks.
Over the years, KaBOOM! has become a recognized leader in the field of cause-related
marketing and sponsorships. The majority of our organizational funding comes from corporate
donors through sponsorship. We know that our experience, while on the national level, is
directly transferable to your playspace project! This chapter will help you understand just what
corporate sponsorship is and how to develop a winning sponsorship strategy for your build.
What is Corporate Sponsorship?
Corporate sponsorship is an exchange of financial backing for a project or event in return for
recognition. A business supports a project through cash or in-kind donations and, in return, is
provided with marketing opportunities. It gives them exposure, helps secure the support of
current customers, and attracts new ones. Corporate sponsorship is advertising and community
involvement rolled into one! It is a way for businesses to advertise a product, while providing
support to a great project or organization, like yours!
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Why Businesses Become Sponsors
In contrast to grants, securing corporate sponsorship is not about your project's needs, it's
about your project's value. Corporate sponsorship requires highlighting what your project has
to offer and then pitching this value to your community's businesses. Before you can identify
what you have to offer, you have to know what businesses want. Just like we encouraged you
in Chapter 4 to put yourself in an individual donor's shoes, we'll now encourage you to put
yourself in the dress shoes of your local business owner! Businesses choose to sponsor a project
or organization for a variety of reasons. Some of these are listed below; understanding them will
help you develop your pitch.
To Attract More Customers
And showcase their product! Businesses need to make a profit. It's what motivates them. They
spend money on advertising in order to reach more people and increase their sales. Because of
this, your project's most valuable asset is its people. So, it is important to know who is involved
in your project now - and know who will benefit from it later. It's a given that your playspace will
both be built by and serve children. What local businesses want to attract parents and families?
A new family-friendly restaurant? A children's store?
To Improve Public Image
What would you think about a company that supported play? Wouldn't you want to buy their
products so that they could continue supporting play? Businesses want to be affiliated with
positive images. What could be more positive than a whole community working together to
bring children play opportunities! Think about the many ways your project could enhance the
public image of sponsors.
To Create Community Good Will
Good neighbors. They're the glue that keeps our communities together. "Neighbors" refers to
more than the people that live next door or across the street from us. Your local school is your
neighbor, as are all the businesses in your community. Many businesses love to support their
local communities. It's their home and they, like you, want to make it a great place to live and
play. Get to know your local businesses and ask them to support community good will by
becoming a playspace sponsor.
To Provide Employees with a Meaningful, Hand-On Service Opportunity
Businesses recognize the value of service and volunteerism. Many want to encourage this civic
duty amongst their employees, but don't have the staff time or resources to plan a project. Your
playspace build can deliver it to them! Many sponsors of KaBOOM! began their relationship
with us as a vehicle for employee volunteerism.
Your community-build project is highly visible - a perfect candidate for corporate sponsorship.
News about your project will reach many. From those who support your fundraising efforts to
folks who drive past your build site on Build Day, your whole community will know what you're
doing and who is supporting you! This is exactly what corporate sponsors want. So let's develop
your approach!
MILE 5: GETTING BUSINESS BUCKS FOR YOUR PLAYGROUND
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s From an Expert: Carrie Suhr, KaBOOM! Vice President, Corporate Development
KaBOOM! corporate partners recognize that having a cause to rally around has an amazing impact
on employee morale and retention. While PR and community relations benefits remain a crucial
incentive for our corporate partners, many also recognize the affect a strong cause relationship can
have on its employees, vendors and network of business relationships.This is the internal leverage a
company can yield through community-build playground or skatepark sponsorship.
Cone, Inc. does an annual cause marketing study that consistently finds that 87 percent of
employees feel a strong sense of loyalty to companies aligned with a cause program. If you have
seen a community playground or skatepark project take place, you already know this must be true!
There's nothing like a long day in the sun and the mud with allen wrenches, two by fours and 100
cubic yards of mulch to move to build the strength of an employee team!
Furthermore, even if you do not intend to involve corporate partners' employees directly as
volunteers, your project offers a company an opportunity to let its employees see its philanthropy in
action in a very tangible, meaningful way. We STORY! the 'secret sauce' of the KaBOOM! corporate
partnership strategy.
The Value of In-Kind Contributions
Some businesses may be able to provide cash, but many will not. A chapter on business
sponsorship would not be complete without mention of the extraordinary value of in-kind
contributions! Do not exclude businesses who cannot donate cash, but who may be very willing
to donate products, materials or services to your project.
In-kind donations are as important as cash and sometimes, even better. For example, people or
businesses who donate in-kind are more likely to feel invested in your project. In some ways,
they may even feel more invested than cash donors because their donation is more personal.
They may be more likely to talk about your project with their friends and family. In-kind
contributions make fundraising about more than dollars and cents. It makes it about
community building!
Especially when it comes to sponsorship, in-kind contributions are an important consideration.
A local business may really relish the chance to have 200 hungry volunteers sample their pizza.
A professional landscaper who designs a beautiful butterfly garden will value the opportunity
to get his/her name out in front of a large group of young homeowners in the neighborhood.
But, be aware! Don't be over eager and accept all the in-kind donations offered. Before you say
yes, think about whether the donation will truly benefit your project.The good or service should
be something that is already in your playspace budget. For example, if you are building your
playspace on a small plot of land, you may not have much room for trees, so a donation of
young dogwood trees from a nursery may go unused. You don't need to accept every in-kind
donation offered. If it isn't something your project needs, gracefully decline the offer and
suggest other ways the business or individual can support your project.
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STORY !
A community in Ohio decided to replace their community's 30 year old
playground structure. They raised enough money to purchase their new
playground equipment but still needed to remove the old equipment, grade the site and drill
holes. After a lot of phone calls, the playground committee found a construction company
willing to donate their services and equipment. The construction company took care of
removing the old equipment and preparing the site for its new residents. This saved the
playground committee $3500! Best of all, the construction crew that helped remove the old
equipment caught the bug! They volunteered their time again as Build Day Volunteers!
H
!
E
OP
HAPP
INES
S!
!
R
E
E
CH
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Potential In-Kind Donation Items
Here's a list to help you start thinking about all of the items you can receive as in-kind
donations. Use this as a starting point. But don't stop here:
Goods
Children's Committee
Design Day
Balloons
Crayons
Drawing Paper
Snacks
Meeting Space
Fundraising Committee
Fundraising Events
Stationery and Envelopes
Postage
Printing
Advertising Space
Meeting Space
Food and Drinks
Auction Items
Office Supplies
Signage and Recognition
(bricks or pickets, that kind of thing)
Construction Committee
Build Day
Cement and Other Building Materials
Tools
Hose and Other Supplies
Play Equipment
Safety Surfacing
Containment system for safety surfacing
(if loose fill)
Gravel or other subsurface (for drainage systems
or if using rubber surfacing)
Dumpster
Tents
Tables and Chairs
First Aid Kits
Safety Goggles
Port-a-Pottie
Landscaping Supplies
Fencing
Lighting
Food Committee
Food and Refreshments
Utensils
Tables
Chairs
Napkins
Cups
Plates
Condiments
Services
Public Relations Committee
Public Service Announcement Recording
Project Logo Design
Website design
Editing services
Public speaking coaching
Photography/Videography
Soil testing
Asphalt removal
Site grading
Equipment removal
Hole Auguring
Photocopying
Printing services
Accounting services
Legal advice
People
Children's Committee
Activity coordinators
Childcare providers
Clowns
Special event planners and volunteers
Phone-a-thon callers
Canvassers
Food Committee
Cooks
BUILD DAY VOLUNTEERS!
People to help with preparation of site
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One of the first questions potential sponsors will ask is "Who does your project serve?".Your first
inclination may be to say "Children!" and you'd be right. But your project will reach more than
children. Parents, teachers, local government officials, young couples, retired couples, folks with
pets, volunteers, home makers, gardeners, house fixer uppers and teens. All of these folks will be
involved and benefit from your project! You should be sure to point this out to your potential
sponsors. A sponsor who sells power tools may not get much business from children, but they
would benefit from connecting with homeowners and others in your group. Take the time to
think about the different people who are in your group. Create your "who's involved" list now!
Once you know
What does your project have to offer? Recognition! Exposure! An Audience! Your
who's involved and
project has a lot to offer and it's your job to inform potential sponsors of this. You've
who will benefit from
already started identifying your assets by taking inventory of who's involved in your
your project, think about
project. Now, take inventory of your project's other assets. Use the list below to
which businesses are most help you identify them. Think of everything from the obvious, such as recognition
likely to be interested in on signs or banners, to the less obvious such as a mayoral proclamation. Patricia
Martin, author of Made Possible By: Succeeding With Sponsorship, suggests
reaching those individuals.
considering categorizing your assets as tangible or intangible.
Intangible Assets of a Playspace Project
Interaction
Sponsoring your project will provide businesses with the opportunity to become
part of your build and meet your supporters. Think about the opportunities your
project can provide for sponsors to interact with your community, especially if the
business encourages employees to volunteer. For example, hands on activities are
a great way for sponsors to get involved on Build Day. It gives them the opportunity
to be "on the ground" with your community. What interaction can your project
provide sponsors?
Emotional Experience
A community build is an emotional experience. It fills its participants with hope,
determination, joy and hopefully, confidence. It makes people ask themselves "If I did this, I
wonder what else I could do?". By sponsoring your project, businesses can capitalize on the
power of possibility. How can your project help sponsors support the power of possibility?
STORY !
A Home Depot store outside Boston that sponsored a community build had its
employees lead landscaping workshops on Build Day. They created a beautiful
natural border for the playground. Store associates connected with other volunteers, and
introduced them to their products.
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Customer Loyalty
Supporting your playspace build will help businesses create brand loyalty. Your group will
remember which pizza parlor donated pies and which business sponsored the purchase of your
spiral slide. They'll remember because you'll be sure to remind them and recognize your
sponsors' support. This creates what every business wants, customer loyalty - perhaps the
greatest benefit of sponsorship. How will sponsoring your project help businesses create more
customer loyalty?
Authenticity
Similar to other intangible assets your project offers, businesses seek to share an experience,
to develop, trust and to be perceived as authentic to consumers. What better way than to
get involved from the ground up in an important community project?
Sometimes site
enhancement
projects are the
Teens are an elusive, but important, audience for many businesses.
easiest
way
to
A skatepark partner in Wisconsin recently had their community's
offer opportunities to
youth pitch sponsorship of their build to local businesses by highlighting how
corporate
sponsors.
supporting the skatepark would help develop brand loyalty among teens. In
Building benches that
return for sponsoring the build, youth painted a mural that included their top
have individual donor
three sponsors' logos and youth using products sold at their stores.
recognition signs, painting
a mural depicting a café
with the name of the local
Tangible Assets of a Playspace Project
bakery that donated food
for the build, or even
Visibility
building a fence with
Build Day is a newsworthy event! It can attract lots of media coverage that is
children's names inscribed
worth thousands of dollars. Visibility includes recognition in newsletters, sponsor
on the posts can be great
logos on your Build Day shirts, recognition in press releases and all media events.
ways to add assets to
This is a huge incentive for businesses as it boosts their exposure with very little
your
playground
cost to them. What kind of visibility can your project offer sponsors?
project. Look around
your site and consider
Opportunity to Showcase Products!
what else would
Sponsorship gives businesses the opportunity to showcase their products. Have
make this a great
businesses with food products set up a taste testing table for volunteers during Build Day.
community
Perhaps a car dealer can park the latest model near the site on Build Day, or offer test drives.
gather place!
Think about all of the opportunities Build Day can offer sponsors. How can your project
showcase sponsors' products?
STORY !
In identifying your playspace assets, it may be helpful to not only think of your audience or
users, but also consider how you communicate or interact with them. Consider the following
and think creatively about how these activities might be converted into a sponsorship
opportunity:
•
•
•
•
•
Project/Organization Newsletter
Community Meetings
Project/Build t-shirts
Press releases/Media Stories
Signage
•
•
•
•
Project/Organization Website
Promotional Flyers
Special Events
Playspace Parties
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Now it's time to brainstorm all the businesses in your community that might be able to support
your event through sponsorship. One way to organize this list is according to the type of
support or product that you need: construction materials, landscaping supplies, food/beverage,
printing materials, cash, etc.
Don't rule out any prospect in your brainstorming session, but do focus on those that serve
families and children or that is near your playspace. Refer to the KaBOOM! A to Z Community
Assets and Resources Manual for more information and ideas.
Work closely with your Fundraising Team to determine your most important needs. That may
be cash, but not every business can donate cash. Think out of the box, and really think through
your budget.
•
Volunteers - Ask local businesses to provide an office team of volunteers and/or
advertise your project to employees, vendors, suppliers, and clients.
•
Equipment - Some businesses have access to expensive equipment that they would be
willing to donate to your project such as augers, Bobcats, and other site prep
necessities.
•
Logistical support - A donation of phones for phone-a-thons, use of a computer, copiers
or cell phones would make a significant contribution to your project.
•
Products/Materials - There are a variety of materials that could be helpful; supplies for
children's activities, food, drinks, paper products for food service, office supplies,
supplies for fundraisers and tools just to name a few. How about door prizes for your
next special event?
•
Services - Professional in-kind services for site preparation, advertising, printing needseven food preparation could greatly benefit your project.
•
Training and technical support - Ask a business to provide a brief seminar for your
teams (landscaping, sales, logistics, are some good topics.
!
G
N
GIVI
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Now that you've defined your assets, you're ready to set your playspace sponsorship levels.
Open the opportunity up to small and large businesses by setting a wide range of levels.This will
allow all businesses to support your project and find a level that meets their needs and budget.
How you structure your levels is up to you. Sponsorship experts suggest basing your sponsor
levels on the benefits each package offers. Use the assets list you just created to do this. Place a
value on each benefit and then add them up to determine the cost of each sponsorship level.
The Importance of Perceived Value
Perceived value is what someone is willing to pay for a product.This is very important to
Research what
remember when you assign value to each of your assets. For example, let's say you
organizations similar
decide to sell your playspace's slide as a sponsorship opportunity. The slide may cost
$750, but its perceived value to your sponsor, what they are willing to "buy" it for,
to yours have secured
may be much higher. After all, you're selling more than a slide, your selling prime
with respect to corporate
playspace real estate! Be sure to calculate this into your asset's value. So, even
sponsorships in your area.
though the slide cost $750, you may "sell" its sponsorship for $1500. This will help
This will help you gauge
you pay for the installation and maintenance of your slide.
Did you identify your assets and what sponsorship opportunities you have to
offer businesses? Did you estimate their perceived value?
what possibilities your group
may have in obtaining
sponsorships.
Now you're ready to create sponsorship levels. Let's say you create three, Best
Friends, Buddies, and Playmates. "Best Friends" are your top sponsors and their
package should reflect that by receiving all benefits that other categories receive,
and more.These are the businesses that meet your project's needs for goods, cash
and services. "Buddy" sponsors receive benefits that sweep the middle of the
spectrum.These are businesses that provide your project with significant support in
some form - though not as significant and your Best Friends sponsors. Finally,
"Playmate" sponsors receive limited recognition and benefits. These are businesses
that provide limited support to your project. But remember, each of your sponsorship
levels should have real value as many small businesses may only be able to sponsor you at
the lowest level.Think about all of the assets that you have to offer.Which ones will you offer
to Best Friends? How about to Buddies and Playmates? Are there any assets that will be in all
three? Take a moment to outline your sponsorship packages.
EXPLORE
!
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Sample Sponsor Benefit Structure
Companion
Playmate
Best Friends
Thank You Letter
Thank You Letter
Thank You Letter
Newsletter Listing
Newsletter Listing
Newsletter Listing and Article
Program Listing
Program Listing
Program Listing
Website Listing
Website Listing with Link
Website Listing with Link,
Logo and Quote from CEO
2 Invitations to Special Event 5 Invitations to Special Event 10 Invitations to Special
Fundraiser
Fundraiser
Event Fundraiser
5 Build Day Volunteers
Mention by Radio DJ during Mention by Radio DJ during
Live Build Day Simulcast
Live Build Day Simulcast +
Speaking Role for Company
Representative
Listed in media materials
Listed in media materials.
Quote from CEO in Press
Release.
Public Mention at Ribbon- Public Mention at RibbonCutting
Cutting. Invitation to speak
by company representative.
Recognition
banners
on
event Recognition and logo on
event banners
Recognition (Logo) on Tee
Shirt
Category Exclusivity
BRIGHT!
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Now that you've identified who's involved in your project and who it benefits, what you have to
offer and its value, it's time to put it all together into a written sponsorship proposal. It shouldn't
be lengthy. It simply needs to do the following:
•
•
•
•
•
Identify what your project has to offer
Help potential sponsors see where they fit
Outline sponsorship levels
Be clear and concise
Sell your project!
Use the sample grant proposal in the appendix to help you organize your sponsorship packet.
Once you have set your sponsorship levels and created your packet, you're ready to start
pitching your project! But be sure to practice your pitch with one of your committee members
before you head out into your community.
Follow the recommendations for the ask in Chapters 3 and 4 as part of your pitch and proposal
step.
s From an Expert: Laura Goodman, Senior Sponsorship Manager, KaBOOM!
When you walk into a store or get an unexpected phone call from a local business interesting in
learning more about your project, you can turn a meeting into a smart ask. Just remember to "Listen
and Link". By practicing active listening you'll be able to present your project in terms that actually
directly connect to their interests and objectives. For example, if someone complains about how the
neighborhood is falling apart, you might want to jump into talking about the community-building
features of your project. If a local restaurant has a new menu item, you might want to suggest the
opportunity to have coupons distributed at upcoming fundraisers for that item.
What If They Say No?
It's okay if they say no. It's likely that you'll hear "no" a lot before you get a "yes!". Try your best
to turn rejection into a positive learning experience. Ask them to share why they are unable to
get involved: Was it your approach? Was it the amount of money you asked for? Was it simply
poor timing? Your efforts to learn from this experience will give you creditability and might help
you improve your approach with other businesses. If they said no because of budget issues, ask
them to provide in-kind support such as printing. How about asking them to volunteer on Build
Day? Or, have them recommend other groups or businesses who may want to support your
project. Be polite, but persistent.
SMILE
S!
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Many people don't realize that the single, most effective fundraiser may be "selling" elements of
the playspace that will ultimately be built. What are the items that you can sell? Start with your
playground or skatepark equipment, but don't forget to look around the playspace for other
opportunities (fences, benches, gardens).
Identify the elements of your playground that can be sold, and don't forget surfacing! Assign a
value to each piece, keeping in mind that this is the VALUE and not the PRICE! A slide might cost
$700, but you should sell it for more, say $1,000. Be specific when you pitch to prospects. It is
much more exciting and enticing to think of buying a "Triple Lightning Slide" than just a
"slide." Be sure to offer a variety of price points. Maybe you can sell surfacing at $25 a
a
square foot, and go on up to that $2,000 climbing wall!
A graphic goes
long way to selling
here. Work with your play
equipment company or a
graphic designer to come up
with a 2-or 3-d scheme that
has call-outs for prices.
JUMP
Supply prospects with
donation forms, pictures,
layout design and FAQs.
D
!
H
AS
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Prices below do not reflect actual prices.
(Remember the importance of perceived value, see page 35)
Beanstalk Climber
$900
Shifting Sands Panel
$800
Sprial
Climber
$750
RockBlocks Wall
$4000
Cater Climber
$1500
ABC & 123
Panel
$350
Accessible
Driving Panel
$300
Solar Climber
$1200
Glide Slide
$1000
Don’t forget about your saftey surfacing:
Engineered Wood Fibers for $25 per cubic yard
Border Timbers $75 per timber
Playground model courtesy of Playworld Systems Inc.
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Here are a few tried and true variations on this theme that communities have used:
1. Buy A Brick
Help pave the way to a playground! Give your community the opportunity to purchase
commemorative bricks that will be used to construct a playspace walkway. Bricks can be
used to remember a loved one, honor someone special, commemorate an anniversary or
birthday, pay tribute to a veteran, recognize our safety forces, show affection for a pet, etc.
Brick Kits can engage youth in the project. Consider sales incentives such as every four
bricks sold, they get a fifth for free.
Most brick supply companies will work with you to create additional sales strategies. Some,
for example, include mini, desk-sized commemorative bricks for donors.
2. Buy A Picket
An affordable opportunity for you to make a personalized, permanent contribution to your
playspace! The pickets will line the fencing around the play area and will bear the name or
message requested by the donor.
3. Buy A Handprint
A great idea for playspaces with a nearby wall! Give loved ones the opportunity to honor
the children in their lives by purchasing a handprint that will be used to form a handprint
mural.
4. Component Sponsor/Auction List
This is a great way to get local businesses and professional organizations involved in your
fundraising. Set a price for each play equipment piece and offer businesses the opportunity
to sponsor your playspace build by purchasing a specific piece of equipment. For example,
sell tire swing sponsorships for $1,000 or benches for $200. How the equipment is broken
up and priced is up to you! Sell the reasons for the component (i.e.: It builds upper body
strength or provides an opportunity for children to play together - cooperative play, or
wheelchair accessibility.)
5. Playspace Shares
Have your community invest in something that's guaranteed to yield a high profit by
buying a share of your community playspace! Create certificates to give each "investor" that
identifies them as a PlaySpace Shareholder.
CONNE
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You did it! You got businesses interested in sponsoring your project. Congratulations! But the
work has just begun. Don't forget about your sponsors once you receive their support. After a
business agrees to sponsor your project, send them a confirmation letter that thanks them and
outlines the terms of your agreement. Deliver on what you've promised. Also, be sure to update
your sponsors on your project's progress and how you're recognizing their support. Building a
lasting relationship with your sponsors should be your ultimate goal and a good experience on
one project can be the beginning of a longer-term relationship.
A picture is worth
a thousand words.
When sending written
thank you notes after the
build, be sure to include a
picture of the finished
project, or of their volunteers
hard at work.
As always, remember to say thank you - even if they say no! Thank them in person.Thank
them by mail. Thank them publicly. Let your sponsors know just how much their
support means to your project
It's important to keep the fundraising fires burning by staying in contact with local
businesses. Continue to meet and greet, touch base personally, drop a note or email about project updates, etc.
Find ways for sponsors to be involved after your playspace build. Invite them to a
playspace anniversary party or skateboarding exhibition. Encourage them to
send volunteers for an annual clean-up.
Other Methods of Corporate Involvement
•
Corporate Philanthropy
Aside from sponsorship, where a clear exchange of value is expected, some
larger national companies offer corporate giving or philanthropy programs
by which they can make charitable donations to local projects. Corporate
philanthropy grows every year, and is in the billions in the US. More information
on corporate giving and grants follows in our next chapter, but it is worth calling
out here.
Most companies have strict giving guidelines and schedules, and some do not support small
projects. It is worth exploring, however, especially if a company's headquarters or regional office
is located in your city.
•
Collect and Save Programs
If your playspace is located at a school, a corporate collect and save program might be
right for you. For years, many schools have relied on programs through which
consumers collect box tops, labels, receipts - even used ink jet cartridges — in exchange
for cash or prizes. Be sure to read the program regulations carefully to make sure your
school is eligible. Also, some programs involve a lot of work for little return. Talk to other
schools to see what they think of various programs. Here are a few of the more popular
national programs:
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Box Tops for Education (General Mills)
Labels for Education (Campbells)
Project A+ (Tyson)
Take Charge of Education (Target)
www.boxtops4education.com
www.labelsforeducation.com
www.projectaplus.com
www.target.com/tcoe
Find out if your local grocery store chain or shopping mall chain offers a similar program - many do!
•
Fast Food Fundraisers
Many fast food chains sponsor fundraising programs. Some donate a few hours of an
evening shift each week to local schools or teams - a percentage of the profits of the
evening go to a cause, for example. Others sponsor special events and other programs.
You'd be surprised at the number of chains that do this. Ask to speak to a manager to
find our whether your favorite burger, pizza, taco or coffee place participates!
s From an Expert:
Pat Chandler, Senior Manager, Community Affairs
The Home Depot
In thinking about approaching a corporation for a community project like a playground build, it is
really important to think about FIT. It’s probably more obvious how your project can benefit from
corporate support (be it funding, marketing or employee volunteers), but you should consider both
sides of the equation. What’s good for the company? Does your project fit their giving areas? What’s
the value proposition for both you and for them?
Another important element is timing. Many organizers approach us well into our giving cycle. Be
sure to get ahead of the game and find out when your proposal should be submitted. Even better,
beat the timeline and get your proposal in early for best consideration. On the flip side, don’t bother
calling for an extension if your proposal is late!
G
O
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Community organizers often overlook grants from sources such as foundations and
corporations as a source of funding for playgrounds. They may think that their playground
project is too small, or that they don't have the time or the skills necessary to write a successful
grant. Similarly, sometimes grants are overlooked because the mere thought of the work and
writing involved simply scares organizers! Yet, grants can be an important source of funds for
your playspace project. Winning a grant can send a strong signal to the community and to
other potential funders - it's a solid "seal of approval."
On the other hand, we want to caution you that grants can be difficult to obtain. Foundations
and donors sometimes have rigid parameters that might exclude your project. They receive
four and five times the number of applications they can financially support. There may be a
minimum amount that is too large for your budget, grants may be limited to a certain
geographic area, the timeline might not work with yours, or your cause may not "fit" their
guidelines, etc. Grants do require research and writing. KaBOOM! encourages communities to
consider, but not to rely upon, grants as part of your strategy.
In any case, grant writing certainly merits a chapter here - and is worth some time discussing
and researching with your team. Depending on where you live (there are probably more grant
opportunities available if you live in a large city), your timeline and your team's skills, you may
seriously want to consider a proposal as part of your fundraising strategy.
The purpose of this section is to remove some of the fear in writing a proposal. After all, you'll
lose nothing by trying, and the work involved in putting together a proposal is a great way to
help clarify the significance, needs, and abilities of your organization. As with all the other
fundraising strategies, a little preparation goes a long way.
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There are several different sources of grants. According to the national Council on Foundations,
foundations can be classified as community, corporate, family or independent foundations. A
foundation usually receives funding from one source, such as an individual, corporation or
family. Public foundations, on the other hand, receive funding from a variety of sources. A
community foundation is a public foundation whose giving focuses on a specific geographic
area (a city, a region, a state). All states have at least one, and most have several community
foundations. These can be excellent prospects for a playspace grant. They have their own
grantmaking priorities and often serve as staff for individual or family funds that could support
a playground or skatepark. Finally, a corporate foundation is a type of foundation that receives
its income from the profit-making company whose name it bears but is legally an independent
entity. Corporations may fund these foundations with a donation of permanent assets or give
periodic contributions based on a percentage of the company's profits.
The first step to learning more about all of these types of opportunities is research. Learn what
local foundations, government agencies, and corporations might be interested in funding your
project. Consult your library, Mayor's office, the Internet and even your local United Way branch
office for help.The Foundation Center (www.fdncenter.org) has an excellent Website that allows
grant seekers to search for grants in person or online in a variety of ways.The Foundation Center
also supports "cooperating collections" at universities, libraries and other civic organizations in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Center's Website will help you locate
the cooperating collection or library in your state with these records.
Focus on those agencies that philanthropic interests are similar to your project. A huge part of
receiving a grant is showing the funding agency the "fit," between their philosophy and giving
parameters and your project. One of the major advantages of a community-built playspace
project is that it can fall under a number of giving areas that might include:
Children/Youth
Education
Neighborhood development
Parks/Environment
Community Building
Children's Health
Volunteerism/Service
After-school programming
Arts (if your playspace features
components like a mosaic or mural)
Don't stretch the "fit" too far - even the best proposal can fall on deaf ears if it doesn't support
their agenda or goals. A brainstorming session on the question "why do we think a playground
is important to our community" will help identify possible matches from the list above.
REACH
MILE 6: GRANT WRITING 101
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After having carefully selected a manageable number of organizations to approach for funding
(no more than five at one time), start your homework! See if they have a Website, or if the
Foundation Center or Cooperating Collection has information. If all else fails, contact them by
phone. You will want to receive a copy of any grant guidelines, annual report, grant application
and deadlines, address and contact person. Obtain this information as soon as your playground
planning process begins. Some groups only award grants a few times each year, and therefore
only accept materials according to their calendar. It is key that you give yourself enough time to
prepare and meet their deadlines! Keep in mind that some foundations provide excellent
information from their perspective on what makes a successful proposal, including
detailed guidelines on their funding priorities, checklists, and proposal requirements. If
If you can obtain
you're able to obtain data on previous grants awarded, pay attention to the range of
a list of previous
financial awards. If the grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and your playground
grantees from a
project fits in that range, it has a better chance of being funded than a request for a
$75,000 project. Some funders even host useful training/information sessions for
foundation, try to contact
grant applicants. It's well worth your while to attend to understand who they are,
someone in development at
and what they're about. The more you know about the organization, the better
these organizations for
you'll be able to pitch your project. Remember - few grantmakers target
playgrounds as a specific category, so understand how your project matches with
advice. Frequently, they may
the funder's guidelines.
no longer be eligible for
continued funding from the
foundation and may be
happy to share insight to the
application process. Pay
Many foundations have strict guidelines for giving. Be sure you know the
special attention to
foundation's grant-making philosophy and giving areas and explain in your
proposal how your project fits within those guidelines. See Appendix F for help
projects that are in any
evaluating whether foundation guidelines match your community-built playground
way similar to yours.
Be sure and check out www.guidestar.com and see if the foundation is listed on
that site as well. If they are, you may be able to obtain their tax return or other
legal documents, which will provide quite a bit of useful information.
project.
Foundations frequently do not award money to certain kinds of efforts, especially "bricks
and mortar" projects. In your proposal, be very clear about separating the build from the
planning, community-build process and long-term impact the playground will surely have on
the community!
S
N
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s From an Expert:
Page 46
Scott Gelzer, Executive Director, Faye McBeath
Foundation, Milwaukee WI
Anyone who has (or is perceived to have) access to funding for nonprofits receives many letters, calls
and proposals in the normal course of their week.
When writing to a funder, be concise and clear as to what your project involves, its importance, and
the "match" between the donor and the playground or skatepark. Who is involved, what is your
timeline, who owns the land, what is the initial cost, and how will the facility be maintained are
among the key questions. Provide the location/address, and contact information for possible
site visit information.
Some foundations
do not give money to
Make sure the reader understands the importance of the playspace AND what it will help
certain kinds of projects,
accomplish for the neighborhood, school, childcare center, community center, religious
especially "brick and institution, park district or housing development (if any) associated with the project. If
your donor research indicates that there are "naming" opportunities, for instance, the
mortar" projects. In your
Karoke Le playground, then inform the donor of this option.
proposal, be very clear about
separating the physical build Always ask the donor for something that is feasible. Don't go to the local drugstore
from
the
planning, of the national chain that has a foundation and ask for $10,000 - that's impossible!
The capacity to give may be minimal, but an endorsement can really help shake
community-build process
loose some funding from a regional or national source.
and long-term impact the
playground will surely have
on the community!
Think, collect information, and garner more colleagues' support before you start
writing. This is the time to seriously reflect on the need for a playground in your
community. Go back to your WHY and really reflect on the benefits of your proposed
playspace. Communicate with your team, and make sure that you have prepared a
budget that is realistic.
You'll need to start pulling together the many pieces of information that a foundation requests.
Most agencies will provide you with a list of requirements for incoming proposals. Don't be
intimidated by this sample list; chances are you'll already have many of these pieces! The
information that foundations ask for may vary, but may include:
Project/Organization Information
• Brief history of the organization
• Mission and/or vision statement
• Description of current programs
• Identification of the population that your organization/project serves (i.e. socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, age, physically/mentally challenged and
language spoken)
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•
•
•
7:41 PM
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Staff/team descriptions
Current board list
Description of the playground project and the needs it will address
(Appendix F)
Description of the evaluation process for the playground project
Statistics: Number of families playground will serve, number of kids it will serve, and
number of volunteers involved in the design, planning and building of the playground.
Quotations or testimonials from parents and children.
Bonus: Add a picture(s) of the current playground, the future site of the new playground
or a drawing from a child.
•
•
•
•
Financial Information
• Financial statements (Audited statements are preferred, some donors also want the 990
tax return)
• Itemized use of funds requested, also known as a project budget
• Current year's operating budget
• Listing of organization and project sources of funding
• Proof of 501c3 status (yours or your fiscal agent)
To help build a national case for the need for community playgrounds and skateparks,
KaBOOM! and The Home Depot commissioned a Gallup Survey in 2002. Gallup randomly
surveyed 1,200 individuals nationwide on several topics including access to playgrounds,
playground repair and maintenance and benefits of playground use. Here's what we
learned:
• Less than half of American children have a playground within walking distance of
their homes; [Millions of children are growing up with alleys and garbage strewn
vacant lots as their only places to play.]
•
Sixty one percent of Americans say simply having access to a playground is a
barrier to their children playing on one;
•
One in three people feel there are not enough playgrounds in their community to
serve the number of children who live there.
What specific local information about the lack of access to places to play in your
neighborhood would help to build your strongest, most vivid case to a prospective
foundation funder?
VOLUNTE
ER!
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Depending on the foundation, this step may or may not be necessary. Some foundations
require organizations seeking funding to submit a formal letter of inquiry prior to submitting a
full proposal. A letter of inquiry asks permission to submit a proposal and should include a brief
description of your playspace project. See Appendix H for a sample letter of inquiry. The good
news is that it's only two or three pages and the bad news is that it's an additional step in the
process.
The next component in organizing your grant writing campaign is a calendar. In preparation for
submitting an application for a grant to a foundation, set goals for yourself. For example, "I will
have section one of the grant application done by June 10." Set small goals for yourself and work
backward from the deadline date! If you are delegating parts of the grant writing process to
teammates, be sure your calendar also clearly illustrates who's responsible for what. Before you
know it, the application will be complete and you may even have a few weeks left before the
application deadline.
Foundations look favorably on those organizations that turn in their applications before the
deadline. In fact, some foundations may even read your application and make recommendations
for changes. Turning your application in early may give you the time to make those changes.
Don't let writer's block prevent you from starting. Whenever you're stuck, refer back to your
WHY. Generally, a proposal has five parts:
1) Executive Summary/Abstract (1 page)
This is a brief description of the entire playspace project; a summary.
2) Statement of Need (2 pages)
This section should present a compelling, data and testimonial-based case for a playspace.
3) Project Description (3-5 pages)
Your description should include a detailed explanation of the project, its objectives,
methodology and evaluation measures.
4) Budget (1page)
Budgets are cost projections.They are also a window into how projects will be implemented
and managed. Well-planned budgets reflect carefully thought out projects.
5) Conclusion (1 page)
This should be a solid, memorable and heart-warming summary of main points.
Check and see if there is a "common application form" accepted by funders in your area. Many
states and regions have adopted such formats, meaning they have provided a template for a
proposal that, once completed, can be submitted over and over again with small changes in
text and layout.
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For your reference, a detailed explanation and "how-to" of all the components considered to be
standard elements of any proposal is included in Appendix I. In submitting the application, if you
find that you do not have all the necessary documents, mention this in the cover letter of your
application. It is important to provide solid reasoning for missing documentation. Do not ignore
a foundation's request for documentation -it could cause your application to be rejected.
Proofreading is key! A polished, grammatically-correct proposal stands a better chance than one
that is thrown together. It is always more effective if someone other than the writer proofreads
drafts. Be sure to provide your proofreader with the required documents from the
foundation. They should be reading for grammar and clarity, but also should check to make
sure that you have answered all the questions and that your application is complete. Last
Have more than
but not least, your reader should read for project spirit and passion. Does the WHY
one person review a
come through? Be sure to allow enough time in your timeline to incorporate edits and
draft if possible. It's
changes to your document.
Your cover letter is just as important as the application. This letter is a brief, one
page introduction that summarizes the proposal. It is the first document read by
the foundation, and is therefore critical that your letter state the connection
between your project and the foundation's guidelines. Make your reason for
wanting a community-built playspace compelling and clear.
Here are some elements to consider;
• Include information on how your project is connected to the foundation.
Did you meet with a program officer? Do some of their employees live in
your community or volunteer with your project? Are you following up on a
conversation with staff of the Foundation?
good to get feedback and
edits from multiple sources.
Focus last and most
intensely on the cover letter
and summary as they may be
the only documents that the
Board of the Foundation
reviews.
•
Explain why the project is a good match with the funder's organization. If you
did your research, this should be easy.
•
Summarize the project. Don't get bogged down in details here - highlight major
aspects.
•
Mention exactly how their grant will be used.For example, state that $1,500 will purchase
a new bay of four swings, including a couple of tot swings!
•
Include enthusiasm and thanks. Try to make a personal connection - invite someone
from the foundation to tour the future site of your playspace. Make sure you contact
them about any events connected with planning or creating the project.
See Appendix J for a sample cover letter.
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Contact the funding source about the status, evaluation, and outcome of your proposal. It is
important to request feedback about a proposal's strengths and weaknesses, although this
information is sometimes unavailable, especially with a large volume of submittals.
You must nurture the relationship between your organization and your contact at the
foundation. This builds the foundation's trust and confidence in your organization and your
project. Regularly update your contact on the process of your playspace project and other
projects your organization has under way. As a relationship develops, you'll be surprised - the
foundation may fund your organizations other projects as well.
Tailor proposal
If you are told "no", call and find out why. Letters from funding sources are notoriously
writing to specifications
vague, and an e-mail or voicemail message will likely be quite general. Take their
feedback, thank them for considering the application and move on to the next
found in the guidelines.
Include only the number of challenge. For additional resources on foundations and grant writing, see the
Online Resources section at the end of this manual.
pages allowed. Observe the
format. Must the proposal be
typed, double spaced, on 8-1/2
x 11 inch pages? Are cover
pages allowed or desired?
Caution - a beautifully bound
proposal is not always
appreciated or allowed.
Something that appears
"slick" may turn someone
off if they think money
is being wasted.
I
D
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!
N
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C
FRIENDS
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The term "special events" refers to a variety of truly fun fundraising ideas - everything from a
silent auction to a dinner party to a black tie gala and a garage sale. There is a great debate in
the fundraising world about the value of special events. Some experts will tell you to avoid them
completely, and others thrive on them. KaBOOM! definitely falls into this second camp! Why?
Special events fit our "community-build" model. They are dependent on volunteers, they
involve lots of people, they are high-energy and fun, and when done well, they result in a great
deal more than cash. On the other hand, we want to caution you that the nay sayers of special
events are not crazy. They do require an enormous amount of work, and there are simple
countless stories to tell of failed special events. Since we have the confidence in your ability to
plan a playspace project, we have the confidence in you to try a special event! The planning and
execution of both are really quiet similar. In fact, at KaBOOM!, we consider each and every build
we lead to be a "Purple Tee Affair." While our goal may be to build a playground, we also expect
each build to be fun, to be memorable, to involve and bring together lots of people, to educate,
and to inspire - just like a fundraising special event.
Why KaBOOM! Loves Special Events
•
Special events offer multiple opportunities for fundraising (ticket sales, food sales, ad
books, sponsorships, etc).
•
Special events build relationships, especially with new prospects.
•
Special events generate publicity.
•
Special events engage lots of volunteers.
•
Special events can be a great way to build people's confidence in fundraising. It may be
easier to sell a ticket to an event than to ask directly for a contribution.
•
Special events are FUN!
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Let's start off with acknowledging some of the common pitfalls to avoid right up front. Why do
some events fail and what can be done about it?
Costs are too high
Special events almost always require some investment up front, whether for publicity materials,
programs, food, entertainment, etc. Special events definitely require very careful planning and
budget management. They are also a great opportunity for in-kind donations!
Prices are too low
Some planners underestimate the "fundraising" aspect of an event - don't forget that one goal
is to net a profit, to raise money. Don't necessarily settle on the lowest common denominator
for your price, thinking that the low cost will boost ticket sales. You must set a price that will
minimally cover your costs, but that will also allow for a profit. Talk to other nonprofits in your
area to determine what the market in your community might bear for a variety of events.
Not enough tickets are sold
Volume is important for many events. One guide is to expect 10 tickets sold per person, which
is not very much. Your sales depend on a large "sales" force of people with different networks,
and also depends on time to sell!
Expectations are unrealistic
Special events are not a silver bullet, and must be planned and executed carefully. Be sure to
set clear goals up front, and constantly refer back to your goals throughout the planning
process.
A huge factor in special event success is FIT. With so many exciting kinds of events to choose
from, you must choose carefully! For example, the classic "non-event" (See Pg 100) is a great
idea if your community is full of overworked, time-strapped parents who want to support a
good project, but crave nothing more than a night at home. It is a terrible idea if your audience
consists of party-going singles who want to mix and mingle. Here are some other factors to
consider in terms of selecting the right kind of event:
Human Resources
How many volunteers can you reliably depend on for both the planning and the execution?
What are their interests and availability?
Financial Resources
Events cost money. How much front money is available?
What are your fundraising goals?
MILE 7: HAVING A BALL: AN INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EVENTS
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Project/Group/Organizational Image
Serious vs. Fun - What is your group's style?
Ethical/value-based limitations. Maybe gambling (like a raffle) would not be acceptable to your
group. Also consider alcohol - whether in terms of service or sponsorship.
Audience
Who is most likely to attend?
What are their demographics?
When are they generally available?
What are they able to pay?
Timing
How much time is required for advanced planning?
Is this event dependent on a season or holiday?
Are there competing events at the time?
SMILES!
Once you have given some thought to the above, you are ready to plunge in on the six steps of
special event planning!
There's no doubt about it - successful special events require A LOT of planning and preparation.
As you begin planning a special event with your Fundraising Team, be sure that you have
adequate time to plan. Some events may require as much as a year in advance! Choose wisely,
and choose an event that fits your calendar.
There are many elements of this planning phase. Step 1 is probably the most important and
difficult step, so in this section we will break it into manageable tasks.
Choose Your Event
We've already talked about the critical elements of timing and fit, but you should also pay
careful consideration your project goals. A bake sale, for example, does not raise as much
publicity as a community 5K run, but is a whole lot easier to plan and can be repeated several
times. An informal spaghetti dinner may be a great way to get folks involved in your project,
but may not bring in huge amounts of cash. The beauty of special events is that, when
managed properly, they can meet several goals.
The selection of the kind of event you'll host should definitely be a group decision. Special
events absolutely require lots of volunteer planners and helpers, and they will only be
motivated by an event that is interesting and exciting to them.
Event Goal-Setting
Some events fail because the goals were not clear. If fundraising is your primary goal, you will
need to make every decision based on this "lens." If you are more interested in generating
awareness about your project and fundraising is secondary, then you need to be very clear about
communicating this with your team up front. As part of your goal-setting, you should discuss
with your team how you will measure event success. Will it be the amount of money raised, the
number of volunteers that sign up, the number of new donors who express interest, etc.?
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Pick a Date and Build an Event Timetable
Keeping your planning and event on schedule is a huge task, and a key to success. The timeline
will be determined by the event itself. Something as large as a golf tournament or concert may
take up to a year in advance, whereas a dog wash may only require a couple of weeks to plan.
Every organizer has his/her own preference for timelines. You might want to organize multiple
timelines for various major tasks (invitations, catering, auction item donations, etc) - or you
might prefer to design a master calendar that is organized by date. Do what works best for you.
Use a white board, your Palm Pilot, your computer, or a good old-fashioned wall calendar. It's
your timeline and you have to be comfortable with its structure.
What is key to any timeline are deadlines. You simply must choose and communicate
You may need to
deadlines so that your volunteers are held accountable. You might incur additional
determine a rain
costs if you miss key deadlines!
location, or an alternate
Finally, be sure to refer often to your timeline. Too many times, organizers spend a
date if your locale is
lot of energy creating a timeline, but fail to USE it. Use your timeline to make
outdoors and weather is
weekly to-do lists, and be sure to cross off (and celebrate!) when a task is
bad. Discuss contingency complete.
planning
and
space Get Organized
ramifications with your team. The devil is in the details! Use your timeline to help you create a system of
organization that works for you. Whether you're dependent on your filing
cabinet or your computer, allocate some time to getting organized. We
recommend setting up folders where you'll store important records and
documents for the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Site/Location: contracts, audio-visual info., parking info.
Food: Catering estimates, menus, in-kind commitments
Materials: Flyers, invitations, programs, etc.
Marketing and PR: Press releases, Website announcements, etc.
Team/Committee: Contact information, meeting notes, correspondence
Budget: Receipts, In-kind commitment letters
Technology has certainly made it easier to get, and stay, organized. The KaBOOM! Online
Project Planner allows you to manage your project online: Facilitate communication with your
team mates, track tasks, and manage your budget using this tool. Visit www.kaboom.org to
learn more.
Determine a Site
Location is very, very important. As a community-build organizer, you want the location of your
special event site to be as close to your community as possible. Energy will diminish if folks have
to drive far, or if the location is not easily accessible. Parking is a consideration: Is it available?
Speaking of accessibility, is the site accessible for folks with different physical limitations? You
also want the site to fit the event style-wise. Try to choose a space that is appropriate size and
mood-wise. Finally, do not let the rental costs absorb all of your budget. Try to find an event
that is free, or work out an in-kind arrangement with the owner.
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The Price is Right
Setting the right price for your event, and your community, can be a challenge! Our best advice
is not to undersell. People are getting double-value for a special event. Not only are they
buying a ticket to a delicious dinner, but they are supporting your playspace project. Be sure to
let your event budget guide you; you will absolutely need to price right in order to raise money.
Every community and every event, is different, so we encourage you to talk to other nonprofits
and organizers in your area. Do keep in mind that the entire profit from your event may not rely
only on ticket sales, for example. You may make more money off of food sales or a sponsorship.
How you decide to spread the word about your event will depend upon your
Partner with your
staff/volunteer resources, your community, and your event. The important step here is to
playspace project's
formulate a publicity plan. Begin by identifying and targeting groups that either have
a stake in the event or in your playspace build - or ideally, in both! For example, if you
Public Relations Team
are holding a dog wash, you'd want to contact dog owners, dog walkers,
captain. While this person
veterinarians, pet rescue groups, dog breeders. Don't forget to include other
will be mostly concerned
funders of your playspace, local politicians, business leaders, and parents!
As part of your plan, you'll need to identify the resources at hand to get the word
out. KaBOOM! partners have relied on the following to share information about
special events:
• School/Church Newsletters
• Church Bulletins
• Flyers on telephone poles in heavily trafficked areas
• Local Cable TV
• PSAs on local TV/Radio
• Newspaper event calendars (especially community newspapers!)
• Service Club bulletins/newsletters
• Letters home with school students
• Marquees
• Community Bulletin Boards
• Organization/Project Website
• Website of event vendors and sponsors
• Booth at fairs/carnivals/sporting events
• Flyers on pizza boxes
• There is really no shortage of ways to spread the word!
about garnering media
support and spreading the
word about the playspace
project,he/she can work with
you on publicizing your
event. It is important that
you work together so that
you are not duplicating
efforts, contacts or
sources.
In order to utilize all these different outlets, you'll want to have copy of varying lengths and
styles that describe the basic how, when, where and why of your event. In addition, include
information on how to donate to your project, in case someone can't make the event!
Generating media coverage of your special event can be an important way of spreading the
word about your playspace project! Just be sure that you are not competing with media
coverage of your playspace project. A big special event six months prior to your build will
probably not compete, but a fun run the weekend before sure could. Be sure you are working
with your Playspace Planning Committee to make sure you're all working together, and not
against each other!
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Special events, unquestionably, depend on a large pool of committed volunteers. In addition to
the support of your playspace Fundraising Team, you will need a subset of volunteers just to run
a special fundraising event. Just like all our previous advice, the kinds of jobs you'll need
depend on your special event. Here's a large list of common volunteer jobs:
The secret to good
volunteer management
is to recognize and
thank volunteers at every
opportunity. Celebrate their
success,and make sure they're
having fun on the job!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Overall Event Coordinator
Food Coordinator
Parking Organizer
Clean Up Crew
Decorations Coordinator
Entertainment Coordinator
Event Accountant
Graphic Designer
Logistics and Licenses Chair
Publicity Chair
Program Committee
Security Personnel
Secretary
Signs/Directions Coordinators
Technical Equipment Specialist
Ticket Sellers
Ushers/Hosts
Sponsorship Manager
Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator
HAR
D
WO
RK
!
This list is not designed to scare you, but should serve as a warning that you will
need help to pull off a successful event!
Once you have determined your human resources needs for your event, it is very
important that you create job descriptions for each role. It will be easier to recruit people
if they clearly know what's expected of them. As an organizer, it will help you to be able
to know who's doing what, and to hold them accountable. A good volunteer job description
will include the following:
•
•
•
•
Time required
Skills required
Benefits to gain
Any training provided
Where will you find enthusiastic volunteers? Think of the groups that stand most to benefit
from your playspace project. Try parents, neighbors, teachers, alumni, and staff first. You can
post your job description at your local Volunteer Center, or on community bulletin boards.Word
of mouth is a great way of recruiting. Talk to the people already signed up, and talk to the
members of your Fundraising Team.
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Sabrina Jones had two children in the 2nd and 4th grades. In recent years, she watched them
outgrow the toddler section of their school playground, with its low-to-the-ground periscope
and tic-tac-toe board. They climb to the tower and run up the slide now, and when Sabrina
watches them she feels proud of what she has given to her community.
"It's something you've got to believe," she says. "It's such a great need for your kids and your
community. In small towns, schools are a community center…and if we want to attract young
families, we need to have updated playground equipment…it just takes someone to say, hey,
this is needed."
In 1999, the school playground of St. John, Washington - population 600 - was a 25-year-old
wood structure that wobbled when you grabbed the posts. Sabrina talked to other parents, but
no one felt confident about building a new playground. So she went to a school board meeting
and asked if she could form a fundraising committee. "And, oh, by the way, can we have some
money?," she asked. They gave her $2,000 out of the general fund.
Sabrina didn't know anything about playgrounds, but she knew she wanted the most durable
and safest playground possible. She read the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's
Handbook for Public Playground Safety. She talked to the school insurance company and the
International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association. She decided on a budget of $25,000
and requested cost estimates from competing playground manufacturers.
Next she consulted the real playground experts: kids. The fundraising committee chose two
representatives, one from grades 1-3 and another from grades 4-6. Those kids surveyed their
peers and then made a posterboard display for each playground component: different slide
designs, swings, games, etc. They set up voting booths and allowed each child to choose his or
her favorite designs.
Now that they knew what they wanted, the fundraising began. With 25% of the county's
residents living in poverty, Sabrina understood that donated time and labor would ultimately
be as important as money. Since most of the people in St. John are wheat and barley farmers
with heavy machinery, she approached them during their off season and asked them to help
remove the old playground.
Sabrina says that her committee "bombarded" the townspeople with fundraisers. The most
successful one turned out to be a "donor wall," in which private individuals and local businesses
paid $250 to get their name on a sign that is now displayed over the playground. The
Washington State Department of Corrections agreed to make the sign at one of its prisons for
a minimal cost, and that 3-foot by 4-foot sign earned the committee $6500.
St. John also held a live, silent auction called "Bubbles & Burps" after the champagne and beer
that was served. Realizing that the resources of local businesses are often stretched thin by
numerous fundraising campaigns, Sabrina looked outside the community for donations.
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A nearby casino donated gift certificates for a free night's stay; a school alumnas who owned a
vineyard downstate offered bottles of wine. Washington State University gave two football
tickets, which the committee paired with a free Holiday Inn room-stay and dinner at a
restaurant. People in St. John cleared their attics of paintings and other odds and ends, and
local gardeners donated bulbs.
By far the most popular auction items, however, were local services - a year's supply of
homemade bread (1 loaf per month) and a year's supply of homemade cookies (2 dozen per
month). One local family donated 20 lawn mowings to the highest bidder, and a butcher gave
half a cow, cut and wrapped.
The playground project was so visible in St.John that people got sick of hearing about it.
Something went in the paper every month to update readers on the latest progress, and color
posters of the playground design went up all over town. At one point a woman came up to
Sabrina and said, "Here! Here's 20 dollars! Get that playground already!"
Because the school board had incorporated its sister foundation as a non-profit organization, all
donations were tax-deductible, and the committee had access to several discounts - they saved
$3000 on shipping costs for the equipment alone.
Other big fundraisers included a sale of antenna balls in school colors; Bingo at the annual
Winter Festival; a Walk-a-Thon, which pulled donations from out-of-town relatives; and a
Haunted House, the town's first in 15 years. Local high-school students from the drama club
conceived and decorated the House for free; it was so popular that the next Halloween, after the
playground had been finished, everyone regretted that Sabrina wouldn't be staging another.
Without a single outside grant, St.John ended up raising $32,000 - enough to be able to afford
the engineered wood-fiber surfacing that makes the playground fully accessible for children
with disabilities. That took some convincing - people couldn't believe how much money
Sabrina wanted to spend for "stuff to go on the ground," and they couldn't even remember the
last time a disabled child had lived in St. John. Sabrina told them that unfortunately, it could
happen to anyone at any time, and better to do the playground right. She wanted a playground
that would last 25 years and be used by everyone.
Sabrina put her foot down on one other potentially contentious issue - she hired an outside
contractor to oversee the playground installation. "Farmers know how to do things," she says,
"'Put some duct tape on it!' After all that work, I didn't want to muck it up by having [the
equipment] put in wrong." She also knew that having an outsider in charge would defuse any
personal conflicts among the townspeople - something that often rears its head in small-town
politics. As it happened, St. John volunteers built the playground in 2 days.
These days, Sabrina reflects on what a triumph the project was, and she is proud of her
hometown. "I tell people that I raised $32,000 and they say, 'So?' But it's big here," she says.
As for final words of encouragement, Sabrina says, "Hey, it's not like you're gonna do it every
year … we're set for 25 years now! Get a handful of people and don't kill 'em with meetings.
People are stretched so thin … try to make it as easy as you can. Always bring food! And bring
your kids to the meetings."
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For many special events (dinners, galas, fun runs, etc), prior registration is very important for
planning purposes. Make sure you have a solid volunteer who is responsible for maintaining
accurate registration information. Be sure to determine what information you will need prior to
the event. For example, do you simply need a head count to place food orders? Will you be
offering special meals for participants with different dietary needs? Will you need a t-shirt size?
If you're hosting a fashion show or talent show, will you need to know details about
performance? Will they receive any kind of informational packet up front?
You will need to establish a system for registration that includes the kind of details
discussed above. Minimally, you will need to track names and payment status. You
should also count on developing a way to confirm registrations with participants.
An easy and seamless registration process can go a long way to increasing your
number of likely registrants. Try to make it as easy as possible. For example, think
in advance about whether you can accept online or e-mail registration forms, or do
you have to rely on mail or fax? Will you be able to accept credit card payments?
Is there a clear contact if someone is having difficulty registering?
Finally, how will you handle day-of registrations and walk-ins? Establish a plan
early on. Make sure you set up several registration tables to avoid bottlenecks.
The last week or so prior to an event can be extremely stressful, but it's a critically
important period! Make sure you've got a plan covered for managing the details
just before "show time!"
Rely on technology
to help you with
registration. A simple
Excel spreadsheet is an easy
way to register participants,
and its "Sort" feature allows
you to slice and dice data for
various purposes. There are also
numerous online packages
and services available
to event planners. See
www.nonprofitmatrix.com
for an updated list of
services.
Confirm Deliveries/Donations/Vendors
Between a few days and week out, all donations, deliveries and vendors should be
confirmed via phone. Make sure that you have an emergency or cell phone contact for
each. During your phone call, confirm what the donation/delivery/service is, who will be
responsible, and when and where they will be.
Event Matrix/Script
Our best advice, much like our advice for our builds, which are in and of themselves special
events, is to create a detailed, minute-by-minute schedule/breakdown of the event. Organize
this document by both date and by task. Include as much of the following as possible:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tasks
Person Responsible (and contact information)
Times (include pick up and delivery times)
Vendors' Names and contact Information
Equipment needed to accomplish tasks
Location of different events/tasks (such as equipment drop-offs, parking, registration
tables, etc)
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Event Walk-through
Schedule an event walk-through the day before your event. All of your involved staff and
volunteers should plan to participate in this meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to carefully
review the build script, and to literally walk-through all aspects of the event. Really encourage
people to ask clarifying questions during this meeting, it will be too late for questions at event
time!
Delegate
The event leader should be free of all major responsibilities on the day of the event, allowing
him/her to "float" and troubleshoot as needed. Emergencies and challenges will come up
inevitably, so it becomes the leader's job to think quickly to solve problems, and set an overall
tone of calm and confidence for volunteers!
Be Prepared
You can help your volunteers feel confident and prepared if you make sure that you have extra
supplies of event basics on hand on the day of event. Your emergency kit might include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tape (all kinds)
Pens for registration
Markers
Scissors (a couple of pairs)
Stapler
String/Cord (for hanging banners)
Cell phone
Walkie Talkies (if you have them)
Extra name tags
Extra copies of your registration sheets
Extra copies of your event matrix
Aspirin/Band-Aids
Keep this box out of the reach of children and the general public, but make sure your volunteers
have access to it.
ADVENTU
60
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Chapter 8 contains more in-depth information on evaluating your overall fundraising plan. As
part of an overall report, it is important that special events be evaluated individually.
Important data to collect as part of your event wrap-up:
• Total Ticket/Registration Sales
• Total Invitations Mailed
• Total Attendance
• Total # of Volunteers
• Total Income
• Net proceeds
The purpose of an evaluation is to determine whether a particular kind of event is successful,
how you might improve the event the next time around, and to celebrate success!
Here are some components of an event evaluation:
Committee/Volunteers
Were there clear job descriptions for each volunteer or staff role?
Were there enough volunteers on the committee?
Were there deadlines for people?
Was there a plan to monitor progress?
How did volunteers communicate with each other during the planning process?
Cost of the Event
Were the event costs projected reasonably into the overall fundraising goal?
How did the cost of participation compare with comparable events in your area?
What percentage of the cost of the event was covered by ticket/registration sales?
Were sponsors solicited to help cover the expenses?
Did the event generate anticipated income?
If not, why?
Publicity
Was there media coverage before or during the event?
Was it clear in the materials how funds would be used?
Was there consistency in all materials?
Were materials developed and mailed on time?
Location
Was the location centrally/conveniently located?
Was parking available?
Were audio-visual services adequate?
Was there sufficient room for all activities?
ENER
GY!
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The Event
Did it begin on time?
Did it end on time?
Did attendance meet expectations?
Were sponsors, donors and volunteers recognized?
Was it FUN?
Involve your teammates in the event evaluation, and encourage honesty - it is the only way
you'll improve! Be sure to share results with your overall playspace Fundraising Team.
VISION!
Consider producing
a questionnaire for
event participants to fill
out. This will give you
hands-on feedback.
W
!
R
E
D
N
O
!
E
G
A
G
N
E
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Is your fundraising campaign finished when you've met your goal, written your thank-you notes
and closed the accounting books? No, not quite yet! An important aspect of fundraising that
many organizers overlook is measuring the effectiveness of your plan.
Seems simple, right? If you met your goal, the plan worked. What if, however, it turns out that
your goal was really too low? Or what if a wealthy individual made a huge and unexpected gift?
A fundraising evaluation, just like the process of fundraising itself, is about more than the
money. A thorough evaluation will help you, and your future playspace fundraisers, really
understand what worked, what didn't, what to repeat, what not to repeat, and how you will
improve.
In order to evaluate, start by re-examining your fundraising goals. This should include your
financial goal, but also any friend-raising or awareness-raising goals you may have set. Every
aspect of your plan should be evaluated, including:
•
•
•
•
Financial goal
•
Diversification of funding sources
•
Allocation of time
•
Special events (individually evaluated)
Volunteers' effectiveness
Quality of fundraising materials
Quality of grant proposal
Here some sources to consider for your fundraising evaluation:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Your own record and recollection of campaign events
Your teammates' records and recollections of events
Notes from meetings and progress reports
The bottom line - how much was raised?
Any feedback received from foundations
Testimonials from prospects and donors
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While it's tempting to rest, celebrate and then evaluate, you should really evaluate your
fundraising plan as soon as the campaign is over. This way, people are still connected and it's
fresh in their minds.
What will you do with your evaluation? First of all, be sure to share results with your Fundraising
Team. Then, share results with your project co-chairs. Your fundraising evaluation will help
make fundraising for playspace maintenance and other community projects much easier and
more efficient!
SUCCES
E
I
H
AC
MILE 8: EVALUATING YOUR FUNDRAISING SUCCESS
64
S!
!
T
N
E
M
E
V
16413_065-122_101GreatIdeas.qxp
4/28/2005
10:16 PM
Page 65
The following are great special events ideas your community can use to raise funds and friends for your
new PlaySpace! Use this to jumpstart your fundraising but don't stop here! You know your community
and what will work best. Be creative! Get crazy! And don't forget to play!
On the next page is an at-a-glance, alphabetical table of all of our favorite 101 fundraising ideas! We have
tried to give you an idea of some of the basics involved, but these really will vary widely and will depend
on you, your committee and your community. The information in the table, and in each description that
follows, includes rough guides to the following:
•
Average amount of money you can raise:
$ = Less than $500
$$ = Between $500-$2,000
$$$ = More than $2,000
•
Average amount of publicity or awareness an activity will generate
•
An approximate number of volunteers required to organize or manage each activity
•
An ideal time to conduct each fundraiser, based on the KaBOOM! Road Map:
B = Beginning (Miles 1 and 2)
M = Middle (Miles 3 and 4)
E = End (Miles 5 and 6)
O = Ongoing, meaning this one's easy and effective to do several times!
65
5/4/2005
"Ask Me About Play!" Booth
A Day's Wage
Page 66
Money
Raised
Publicity
Generated
Challenge
Level
Number of
Volunteers
$
Low
Moderate
15
0
$$$
Low
Easy
<10
B
When
Alumni Fundraiser
$$
Low
Easy
<10
B
A-Thon Events
$$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Babysitting Night (Parents' Night Out)
$$
Low
Moderate
20+
O
Bag for a PlaySpace
$$
High
Moderate
15
M
Bake Sale
$
Low
Easy
<10
O
Balloon Pop
$
Low
Easy
<10
E
Basketball Tournament
$$
Medium
Moderate
20+
B
Benefit Concert
$$$
High
Challenging
15
M
Bingo
$$
Low
Moderate
<10
B
Birthday Cakes for Students
$$
Low
Moderate
15
B
Bowling Night
$$
Medium
Moderate
<10
M
Bulb Sale
$$
Low
Moderate
15
M
Buy a Piece of the PlaySpace
$$$
High
Moderate
<10
B
Calendar Sales
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
B
Candy Guess
$
Low
Easy
<10
M
Car Dealer Deal
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
B
Car Wash
$
Low
Easy
15
O
Caroling for Construction
$$
Medium
Moderate
20+
Holiday
Children's Clothes and Toy Sale
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Coat Check Service
$
Low
Easy
<10
B
Coffee Break
$
Low
Easy
<10
M
Community Scrabble Contest
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Cookbook Sales
$$$
High
Challenging
20+
B
Coupon Cards
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
B
Craft Class
$
Low
Easy
<10
B
Craft Fair
$$
Medium
Moderate
20+
B
Letter from Santa (or Birthday Card)
$$
Medium
Moderate
20+
Holiday
Day of Play
$
Low
Easy
<10
M
Design Day Art Auction
$$
Low
Moderate
<10
M
Dinner Crawl
$
Low
Easy
15
E
Dog Wash
$
Low
Easy
<10
E
Dollar Days
$
Low
Easy
<10
O
Holiday
Easter Mystery Eggs
$
Low
Easy
<10
Fantasy Photo
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
B
Fashion Show
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Fast Food Fundraiser
$
Medium
Moderate
<10
O
Flamingo Hop
$$
Medium
Moderate
<10
B
Flea Market
$$
Medium
Challenging
20+
M
Flips and Kicks for the Playground
$$
Low
Easy
<10
M
Fruity Fundraiser
$
Low
Easy
<10
M
Gas Station Attendant
$
Medium
Easy
15
B
Gift Certificates
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Gift Wrapping Service
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
Holiday
Give and Take
$$
Low
Moderate
15
M
Golf Ball Wash
$
Low
Easy
15
M
Halloween Parade
$$
High
Easy
20+
Holiday
Hand Print Wall
Holiday Cards
$$$
Medium
Moderate
15
B
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
Holiday
Jail and Bail
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
101 GREAT IDEAS
66
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5/4/2005
6:54 AM
Page 67
Money
Raised
Publicity
Generated
Challenge
Level
Number of
Volunteers
When
Karaoke Night
$$
Medium
Easy
<10
B
Kiss a Pig
$
Low
Easy
<10
E
Lemonade Stand
$
Medium
Easy
<10
M
Memorial Path/Wall
$$$
High
Moderate
B
Menu Auction
$$
Low
Moderate
15
15
M
Mile O’ Money
$$
High
Challenging
15
M
Movie Screening
$$
Medium
Moderate
<10
M
Namethe PlaySpace
$$
Medium
Moderate
<10
E
Non-Event
$$
Medium
Easy
<10
M
Outrageous Olympics
$$
Low
Easy
15
M
Pancake Brunch
$$
High
Moderate
15
B
Parent-Child Special Event
$$
Low
Easy
15
B
Parking Space for Play
$
Low
Easy
<10
B
Pasta Dinner
$
Low
Easy
<10
B
Penny Drive or War
$
Low
Easy
<10
O
O
Pizza Week or Night
$
Medium
Easy
<10
Plane Pull
$$$
High
Moderate
15
E
Plant and Garden Sale
$$
Low
Easy
<10
B
Playclothes for PlaySpace Day
$
Low
Easy
<10
B
PlaySpace Dance
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
PlaySpace Picnic or Barbeque
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
PlaySpace Pottery
$$
Low
Moderate
15
M
Popcorn Sale
$
Low
Easy
15
O
Race for Play
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Raffle (General)
$$
Medium
Moderate
<10
M
Rake Leaves/Shovel Snow/Mow Lawn
$
Low
Easy
15
M
Reasons to Give
$
Low
Easy
<10
B
Recipe Cook-Off
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
B
Recycling Drive
$$
Low
Moderate
15
M
Running of the Ducks
$
High
Moderate
15
M
School Fair or Carnival
$$$
High
Challenging
20+
M
Sell Fundraising Products
$$$
Low
Moderate
15
O
Sell PlaySpace Shares
$$$
High
Challenging
15
O
Shopping Spree
$$
Low
Moderate
15
M
Silent Auction
$$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Sing-A-Long
$$
Low
Moderate
<10
M
Singing Telegrams
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Softball (or T-Ball) Competition
$$
Low
Easy
15
M
Store Receipt Collection
$$
Low
Moderate
15
O
Sub Sale
$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
T-Shirt Sales
$$
Medium
Moderate
<10
O
Tailgate Parties
$$
Medium
Moderate
<10
M
Talent Show
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Talents and Services Auction
$
Low
Moderate
<10
M
Tips for Tots (or Teens)
$
Medium
Moderate
<10
M
Truck Touch
$$
Medium
Challenging
20+
M
Used Book Sale
$$
Medium
Moderate
15
M
Valet for Play
$$
Low
Moderate
<10
O
Vending Machine
$$
Low
Moderate
<10
B
Wing Fling
$$
Low
Moderate
<10
E
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Set up a booth at as many local events as possible. Think about football games, golf tournaments or
parent/teacher conference night! This is a great way to tell people what you're doing and recruit some
playspace friends.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Ask event sponsors for permission to set up an information table at their event.
2. Create a flyer or brochure to hand out at your table. Make sure it tells people how they can get
involved and/or donate.
3. Bring a donation bucket to encourage folks to donate to your project on the spot.
LOW
MODERATE
15
Materials:
1. Table
3. Donation jug
2.
Flyers
s Helpful Hint:
Display children's dream playspace drawings on your table. Who can say no to a child's dream?
ONGOING
Ask people to donate "a day's wage" in support of your playspace! Did you know that a day's wage is just
.38 percent of a yearly salary? Designate a specific date of importance such as July 4th, Memorial or Labor
Day, National Playground Safety Day, or a date of local significance to encourage people to donate a day's
wage.
$$$
Prep Steps:
1. Create information sheets well in advance that include a registration form and contact information,
including name, phone number, and an address where donations are to be sent.
2. Set up registration locations at work, school, church, etc.
3. Secure volunteers to sit at registration tables.
LOW
EASY
Materials:
1. Registration form
<10
2.
Thank you/acknowledgement cards
s Helpful Hint:
BEGINNING
Be prepared for individuals to give less than a day's wage. Your fundraiser will still be successful if
individuals give what they can.
REACH!
101 GREAT IDEAS
68
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Hear ye, hear ye, all alumni! Let's give a cheer for years out of school. Reach out to your school or
organization's alumni, and encourage their support in building a new playspace at your school or club.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Request a complete list of alumni from area schools and inquire about upcoming alumni reunions.
Also, ask about including information about your project in the school's next alumni mailing.
2. Send alumni a letter asking them to support the playspace project.
3. If reunions are scheduled, ask to set up a donation/information booth at the event.
LOW
Materials:
1. Alumni list
2. Donation letter and form
EASY
Hint:
s Helpful
Find out if there are any famous alumni. If so, ask them to co-sign the donation letter.
<10
BEGINNING
How about sponsoring a read-a-thon, dance-a-thon, walk-a-thon, or marathon? Have participants solicit
pledges for each book they read, half hour they dance, or mile they walk or run.
Prep Steps:
1. Decide on what type of a-thon event to hold. Consider an event that is child-friendly, like a
sled-a-thon!
2. Recruit community members to participate.
3. Secure a location for your event, if necessary.
4. If you decide to hold a walk-a-thon or marathon, be sure to contact police for their assistance with
street closings, guiding participants, etc.
5. Create pledge forms for participants.
6. Determine how you will collect pledge donations.
Materials:
1. Pledge forms
2. Other items -will vary depending on the type of event you choose.
3. Whatever a-thon you choose, be sure it's fun and something that the community will enjoy.
$$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
s Helpful Hint:
Set a minimum amount per individual or per family to be raised in pledges.
STORY ! slide -and had a blast doing it! It also raised the awareness of the need for a safe playground in their neighborhood.
One community hosted a Slide-a-thon at a neighboring playground. Kids collected pledges for the number of trips up the
DASH
!
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Give parents a break by giving them a night or afternoon off. Parents really appreciate a night or day out
around the holidays - whether it's a Saturday afternoon to do some Christmas shopping or a Friday night
around Valentine's Day. Be strategic about your timing.
$$
LOW
MODERATE
20+
ONGOING
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a location that can accommodate a large number of children at one time. An auditorium,
gym, or church basement is ideal.
2. Set an age limit, if necessary, for eligible children. For example, will you accept infants and toddlers?
If so, do you have the appropriate amount of supervision and equipment? Also, think about the total
number of children you'll accept.
3. Decide on the date(s) and time(s) for your event and how far in advance parents need to sign up
their children.
4. Create a registration process and form.
5. Determine how much you'll charge per child.
6. Develop an activities plan. Be sure to include activities for children of different age groups.
7. Secure a food donation from a local restaurant such as pizza or subs. Don't forget healthy snacks
and drinks!
8. Recruit PLENTY of volunteers.
Materials:
1. Child-friendly refreshments and beverages
3. Games
5. TV and VCR
2.
4.
Phones
Activities plan and supplies
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Prepare a well thought out plan for your babysitting day event. Parents may ask many questions
•
•
•
TIP !
before they agree to participate.
Be sure to include a section for emergency contact information on the registration sheet.
Don't overextend yourself. Four to Five hours is PLENTY.
Have a first aid kit and access to a medical professional in case of an emergency.
If you hold your babysitting event near the holidays, pair it with a gift wrapping service (See # 45) and provide your parents and
guardians with the opportunity to have their presents wrapped when they come to pick up their children.
R
101 GREAT IDEAS
s
70
!
P
M
O
PLAY
!
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Ask your local grocery store to support your project by allowing you and other volunteers to bag
groceries for an afternoon and collect tips for your playspace. Give each bagger a tip jar and display signs
to tell customers what you are doing by the check-out aisles and the front of the store.This is a great way
to heighten your community's awareness about your project.
Prep Steps:
1. Contact your local grocery store to request permission to bag groceries for a day. Be sure to explain
your project and how the money will be used.
2. Recruit volunteers to take shifts bagging groceries.
3. Create tip jars and posters for the event.
Materials:
1. Posters
3. Matching t-shirts for the baggers
2.
Jars
$$
HIGH
MODERATE
15
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
This is a great event for the holiday season!
All volunteers should wear similar colored clothing or your playspace project t-shirts.
STORY !
MIDDLE
During the holiday season, one community raised nearly $2,000 bagging groceries. As a thank-you surprise, the retailer
matched their amount to help them reach their goal!
Have committee and community members donate baked goods and sell them at church, school, sporting
events, or at another program.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a location.
2. Recruit volunteer bakers.
3. Advertise for the event with flyers or a letter home to students.
4. Set up shop and sell away!
Materials:
1. Tables to display baked goods
3. Baked goods
2.
4.
LOW
EASY
Napkins
Cash box
s Helpful Hints:
•
<10
•
•
Mix up a batch of iced tea, Kool-Aid or coffee to sell with your baked goods. Drink sales will bring
you additional revenue.
Invite a youth group like the Scouts to help out by baking items to sell.
Hold multiple bake sales throughout your fundraising campaign.
TIP !
Hold a contest for the yummiest baked item. Generate revenue by asking customers to enter their vote by putting an extra
quarter in front of the particular plate.
ONGOING
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Everyone loves balloons and prizes. Put the two together and you have a "popping" good time! Insert a
slip of paper into each balloon. Some slips of paper will be blank while others list a prize the lucky popper
has won. Prizes can range from the very simple like candy or small toys, to money. It's up to you!
$
Prep Steps:
1. Contact your local party store and request a donation of balloons (request a quantity), helium,
and string.
2. Ask local businesses to donate items for "popping" prizes.
3. Decide when and where you'll hold your event and sell balloon tickets the days or weeks leading up
to the event. For example you can hold your balloon popping during the last period of school on a
Friday afternoon. Supporters who pay for the balloons beforehand receive a "balloon ticket" which
they exchange for a balloon on the day of the event.This will help you determine how many balloons
you'll need.
4. Determine how much you'll charge for each balloon.
5. Recruit volunteers to help insert paper into the balloons and inflate them.
6. Be sure to have pins available for popping.
LOW
EASY
<10
END
Materials:
1. Balloons, helium, string
3. Pins
5. Flyers to advertise
2.
4.
Paper to put in balloons
Prizes
Hints:
s Helpful
•
This is a great fundraiser to use in conjunction with a larger event.
•
Helium goes quickly - be sure to have enough on hand!
TIP ! During the event, hold a "Hot Air" contest for the best/funniest helium voice!
Get your friends together and play in a basketball tournament with other teams in your neighborhood.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
20+
Prep Steps:
1. Find a gym facility that is willing to hold the tournament on Saturday at no cost.
2. Recruit volunteer referees and score keepers, such as local basketball coaches.
3. Develop registration forms, release forms, and pledge sheets.
4. Secure donated refreshments and supplies for a concession stand.
5. Obtain inexpensive or donated certificates or trophies to give to tournament participants.
6. Create a tournament playoff grid for each group.
Materials:
1. Basketballs
3. Refreshments
s Helpful Hints:
BEGINNING
•
•
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
72
2.
4.
Flyers
Trophies or certificates
3 on 3 tournaments work well.
Allow both adults and children to participate.
This tournament will create a great opportunity for volunteer recruitment and help build
momentum for the playground project.
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Host the "Playing for Play" concert in your community. Hold a concert at a local high school and invite
students, teachers, and other community members to perform. Who can resist watching children sing
their hearts out? You may also recruit local artists who would love an introduction to a captive audience.
Charge an admission fee and enjoy the show!
Prep Steps:
1. Contact a local music club or concert hall and ask them about incorporating an existing show into
Playing for Play.
2. Produce flyers well ahead of time and event tickets.
3. Sell tickets to the event in advance. Set up a performance schedule and hold a dress rehearsal.
Materials:
1. Admission tickets
2. Flyers to promote event
$$$
HIGH
CHALLENGING
15
s Helpful Hint:
By partnering with a music club, you have experts doing the legwork for you! They know the music
business; let them run the show!
STORY !
MIDDLE
This event was a huge success for a community that had both a local high school band and a popular local group perform
for their playspace benefit. $5,000 was raised for their project!
Remember the excitement you felt when you shouted out "BINGO!" as a child? Bingo games provide a
great opportunity to raise funds. You may want to consider holding a monthly bingo night.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Investigate legal requirements and obtain permits or licenses.
2. Determine when to hold your event and what you will charge for each bingo card.
3. Secure a location for your event.
4. Collect necessary supplies such as bingo cards, chips, etc.
5. Obtain donated or discounted refreshments and sell them at a nominal cost.
6. Ask for innovative in-kind prizes. Remind local businesses that a prize donation is a great way to get
the word out!
Materials:
1. Bingo equipment and supplies
2. High quality loudspeaker system
3. Chairs and tables
4. Prizes
LOW
MODERATE
<10
BEGINNING
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
•
Planning for a special promotional giveaway during the games heightens the anticipation, the
excitement, and the enjoyment of those in attendance.
Try to get as many prizes donated as possible from businesses in the community.
Consider print the bingo cards with a major sponsor's name on them - a fun sponsorship
opportunity!
TIP ! Bingo nights are a great time for a raffle - consider selling raffle tickets on Bingo Night for a special opportunity to win.
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Fundraise for your playspace by celebrating students' birthdays! What a great way for parents and friends
to honor a child's birthday by having a personalized cake delivered to them at their school!
$$
LOW
MODERATE
Prep Steps:
1. Obtain permission from the school board or principal to deliver the cakes throughout the year to
individual students on their birthdays.
2. Ask for a list of students' home addresses and their birthdays.
3. Establish a relationship with a local bakery that is willing to donate or discount birthday cakes or
cupcakes. Better yet, recruit a talented volunteer to bake the cakes from scratch.
4. Mail out a letter to parents at the beginning of the school year to let them know about the
opportunity. Send a reminder postcard one month before their child's birthday.
5. Create a flyer for students, or advertise in the school paper!
6. Sell those cakes!
15
BEGINNING
Materials:
1. Computer/printer to make letters and postcards
3. School letterhead and envelopes
5. Transportation to pick up and deliver cakes
2.
4.
Order forms
Address/birthday list
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
"Knock Down Pins to Build Some Swings!" Host a bowling tournament. Invite local leagues and
individuals to participate in a bowling tournament to benefit your playspace. Charge each group a
registration fee and divide teams by ability level. You can also ask bowlers to get pledges in advance in
addition to a registration fee! Have groups sign up during the weeks leading to the event.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
<10
MIDDLE
If you do not want to take orders all year long, deliver a letter at the beginning of the school year,
and have a cut-off date for all orders.
See if your bakery will allow you to offer options such as cakes, cupcakes, etc.
Prep Steps:
1. Find a bowling alley that will host your event free of charge, or for a low cost. Try to know in advance
how many lanes you will need.
2. Advertise your event and register teams.
3. Organize the teams and prizes for the winning groups.
Materials:
1. Advertising should include information on registering a team for the event, along with details about
the playspace build.
2. Trophies or certificates
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Host your Bowling Night on a weekend (7:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.)
•
•
•
Advertise the event in advance.
Have a "PlaySpace Project" information table set up at the event.
Get local businesses to donate prizes for tournament winners.
TIP ! Advertise at local offices and encourage colleagues to form teams.
101 GREAT IDEAS
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There's no better way to usher in springtime than by planting bulbs and watching them grow. This
fundraiser provides you with the opportunity to help your neighbors brighten their yards and give them
the opportunity to provide their children with a safe and healthy playspace. It's up to you to decide when
and how to run this fundraiser - sell bulbs in conjunction with another fundraiser, door-to-door, or set up
a bulb booth by the site of your future playspace.
LOW
Prep Steps:
1. Determine when and where to run the sale.
2. Research bulb wholesalers that offer such fundraising programs.
3. Advertise. Advertise. Advertise.
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Order forms, if you're going to require individuals to purchase bulbs before you place the order
2. Receipt box
3. Cash box
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Research wholesalers and make sure the bulbs you are purchasing are reasonably priced and of
•
$$
15
MIDDLE
high quality.
Bulbs can be sold both in the spring and in the fall.
This is a KaBOOM! favorite, and can take many forms. See pages 38-40 for more details on turning this
into a sponsorship opportunity by involving local businesses.
Prep Steps:
1. Work with your play equipment representative to assign sponsorship prices to individual
components.
2. Create a compelling visual graphic that shows the pieces of equipment for sale and their price. Your
play equipment company may be able to help with this.
3 Choose a method of recognizing buyers. It might be a plaque that lists all sponsors' names, or there
might be a way to attach a plaque onto each individual component. Again, be sure to work closely
with your play equipment representative.
4. Advertise this opportunity and sell, sell, sell!
Materials:
1. A visual graphic that shows the pieces of equipment for sale and their price
2. Flyers
3. Sponsorship forms
4. Plaque or other way of recognizing sponsors
$$$
HIGH
MODERATE
<10
BEGINNING
s Helpful Hint:
Remember that sponsorship fee does not necessarily equal price! If a swing set costs $1,000,
consider selling it for $2,000 given its desirability and visibility!
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With busy schedules, everyone needs a calendar! This great playspace fundraiser will help all your donors
keep their lives in order. Consider a theme such as children's artwork, photos or playground drawings.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Prep Steps:
1. Decide on your calendar theme.
2. Collect the artwork or photos that highlight your theme.
3. Identify holidays, days off or other organization events including dates related to your
playspace project.
4. Ask a local print shop or copy center to donate their printing or copying services. You can also easily
do the job on your own using special calendar software, a scanner and high quality printer.
5. Create order forms for the calendars and advertising.
Materials:
1. Cameras
2. Original artwork
3. Computer
15
BEGINNING
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Hold an art/photo contest. Have children or adults either take a photo or design a picture that
•
•
•
$
LOW
EASY
<10
MIDDLE
Everyone loves candy. Grab a large jar, fill it with one colorful kind of candy such as jellybeans, M&M's or
Jolly Ranchers and sell folks the opportunity to guess the amount of candy in the jar. The person who
guesses close to, or the exact amount of candy in the jar, wins the jar!
Prep Steps:
1. Place a jar of donated candy in a busy location such as a school or office.
2. BE SURE TO COUNT THE CANDY AS YOU PUT IT IN THE JAR.
3. Collect guesses for a specific period of time such as two weeks.
4. Create a guessing sheet to keep track of all of the guesses made.
Materials:
1. Candy
2. Clear container
3. Tickets to write each person's guess for them to hold
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Hold this event in conjunction with a larger event such as a dance or auction.
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
76
coincides with your calendar's theme. Winning entries are included in the calendar.
Consider using children's drawings. You could select twelve of the best drawings from Design
Day, or assign each class a theme (like snowmen for January) and choose the best drawings.
Sell your calendars around the holidays.
Be creative! Calendars can come in any shape, size or color, but keep your budget in mind.
To keep integrity, only ONE person should know how many pieces of candy are in the jar.
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Car dealerships love to make a deal and this fundraiser is a sure bet! There are a number of creative ways
you can structure special sponsorship deals with car dealers - a percent for each vehicle sold during a
specified time period, a percent of each type of vehicle, etc.
Prep Steps:
1. Create an information packet about your playspace project to present to the dealers' owners.
2. Approach local car dealerships and ask them to donate $10 (or $5) per car sold each month to your
playspace fund.
3. Advertise the deal throughout your community.
Hints:
s Helpful
•
This event can also work for other motorized products, like boats, jet skis, snowmobiles, lawn
•
mowers, and snow blowers.
When approaching the car dealerships, discuss the added benefit of publicity through your
playspace PR.
Encourage each dealership to advertise the fundraising program in their showrooms.
STORY !
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Banners, posters, or other advertising materials
•
$$
15
BEGINNING
A local car dealership was so inspired by the school that used this idea that they decided to double their donation at the
end of the fundraiser. As a result, the school received $2,000 for their new playground!
What better way to spend a Saturday morning than sponsoring a car wash! This classic fundraiser is super
easy to do. All you need are some common household cleaning items, an enthusiastic group of
volunteers, and some dirty cars!
Some communities have had success with "Topless Car Washes." Before you blush, read on! Advertise
that it's a "Topless" car wash and set up the car washing area behind a business where it can't be seen
from the street. People will flock to it out of pure curiosity! When the driver pulls into the wash area they
find that a "Topless" car wash means 1) the bottom of the car is washed free but a donation of $X is
required if they want the top washed; 2) the entire car is washed except for the roof for $X and for an
additional $Y you wash the top; or 3) convertibles with the top down (topless) get a free wash! Pick the
option you like best. Folks are generally pretty good-natured and appreciate the ingenuity.
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a location for your car wash such a school parking lot, gas station, etc. Be sure that your space
has a water hookup and is in a central location with high traffic volume.
2. Sell advance car wash tickets during the days leading up to your event.
3. Make huge signs to display all day. Stand on the sidewalk and flag people down.
Materials:
1. Long garden hoses with nozzles
3. Soap
5. A collection box or jar
2.
4.
$
LOW
EASY
15
ONGOING
Buckets
Sponges and rags
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
Approach you local car wash and ask if they would be interested in helping out. Explain your
playspace project and why they should become involved.
Hold your car wash all day. For best results: 10 am- 4 pm on a weekend.
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Around the December holidays, put your community in the holiday spirit by throwing a Caroling for
Construction campaign. Offer the caroling services of your musically inclined volunteers for holiday
events and parties. Volunteer carolers can also go door-to-door in your community and sing for money.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
20+
HOLIDAY
Prep Steps:
1. Organize several volunteer singing groups with at least five singers per group. Singers of all ages can
participate.
2. Publicize your event throughout your community and encourage individuals to send a caroling gift
to a relative, neighbor, or friend. To do this you must have an organized sign-up and payment
program. The fee recommended for this service is $10.
3. Advertise your caroling services for events.
4. Assign volunteers carolers to groups as early as possible to give them some time to rehearse,
if necessary.
5. Appoint a leader for each group. This person will make sure their group is informed about rehearsal
and event dates, times, and locations.
Materials:
1. Holiday songbooks
3. Sign-up forms
2.
4.
Volunteer singers
Posters, flyers, etc.
TIP ! Invite your church, school, or community choir join in.
Children grow out of their clothes and toys so quickly that they barely have enough time to break them
in. Have a play clothes and toy sale with items donated from community members. Parents will have the
opportunity to purchase play clothes and games for their children to use in their new playspace!
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
Prep Steps:
1. Send flyers asking for donations of "gently used" children's and maternity clothes, toys, sporting
equipment, and furniture.
2. Determine where the sale will take place. A parking lot or a gym is ideal.
3. Inventory all the items to be sold and their prices.
4. Recruit enough volunteers so you have several working in each area.
Materials:
1. Clothes and other items to sell
2. Inventory list
3. Cash box
4. Flyers that include a donation request
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
78
You may be able to obtain more items if you have your sale over a fall or spring weekend. Many
people are cleaning their houses and closets at this time.
If your event is outside, have a plan for inclement weather.
Bags, receipts, and gift tags are all nice touches to add to your sale!
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Offer to run a coat check for a night or two for a local restaurant, hall, sporting event, etc.
Prep Steps:
1. Create a goal for the number of events your group of volunteers will work. If you are involved in 10
events and earn $100 per event, you'll make $1,000. Not Bad!
2. Ask event organizers and local restaurants to enlist your coat checking services.
3. Determine whether you'll need to bring your own hangers, clothing racks, and coat check tickets, or
if they will be provided.
4. Recruit volunteers to run your event.
5. Create signs for your coat check.
Materials:
1. Two part tickets or tags
2. Hangers (possibly)
3. Portable clothes racks (possibly)
4. Posters
SUCCE
SS!
Hint:
s Helpful
This is a great fundraiser for the holiday party season.
Give folks a reason to leave their desks and offices with a perfect break opportunity - good coffee!
Contact the management of a busy office building and ask if you could set up a coffee cart in the lobby.
Or, have a scout troop or group of volunteers pitch a tent at a busy location. Offer sweet accompaniments
such as doughnuts or cookies and folks will hand over the dough! Make sure to place information about
your playspace project and donation jar on your cart for those who'd like to give a bit more.You may also
want to use this time to recruit Build Day volunteers.
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a coffee break location.
2. Determine how you'll make the coffee. Will you be located by an outlet when you can plug in a large
coffee maker or will the coffee have to be made somewhere else?
3. Gather your supplies. Try to get as much donated as possible.
4. Create your information and promotional materials.
$
LOW
EASY
<10
BEGINNING
$
LOW
EASY
<10
Materials:
1. Coffee, cookies, doughnuts
2. Coffee pots and a heating source
3. A table or cart
4. Cups, plates, utensils, napkins
5. Sugar, sugar substitutes, milk
6. Information about the playspace and a list of ways donations will be used
MIDDLE
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
Have a printer looking for an interesting in-kind donation opportunity? Print special napkins
with the date and name of your playspace project.
Coffee can be made for pennies a cup! Make sure you're taking advantage of this potential
profit margin.
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Why not play for your playspace! Lots of favorite board games can be turned into community fundraisers.
Scrabble is just one suggestion! Register individuals and assign them to a team, or register whole teams
of four, six or eight. Seated at different tables (each with a Scrabble board and all the letters available),
each team starts with the same opening word, and has 20 minutes to fill the board with high-scoring
words. A judge sits at each table.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
Prep Steps:
1. Choose a locale and date for your event.
2. Devise a registration system that allows you to easily group individuals into teams.
3. Secure games and supplies for each team.
4. Recruit volunteer judges!
5. Play away!
Materials
1. Tables and chairs for players
2. Scrabble games
3. Dictionaries
4. Flyers
5. Prizes for winning teams (try to get prizes donated!)
MIDDLE
TIP ! For an extra $10 donation, folks can sneak a peek at a dictionary during game time!
A cookbook fundraiser can be accomplished in a variety of ways. You could give it a theme—such as
desserts, easy 30-minute recipes, or recipes for cooking with your children. You can also do a basic
cookbook divided into sections for soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. Let your imagination and your
community's cooking ability loose!
$$$
HIGH
CHALLENGING
20+
BEGINNING
Prep Steps:
1. Determine what type of cookbook you'd like to produce and how you will collect recipes. You may
want to consider whether recipe contributors will receive credit and/or if you'd like to include
neighborhood or playground stories, etc.
2. Develop a marketing strategy for the cookbook.
3. Determine how you will print the cookbook and how it will be put together.
4. Choose a price for the book. A suggested price is $15 - $20.
5. Have someone who is a skilled proofreader-editor and organizer arrange the contents of the book
after the recipes are collected.
6. If possible, find a local publishing company, university, or copy center that will copy and bind the
completed cookbook at a discount or at no cost.
Materials:
1. Computer
3. Order forms
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
80
2.
4.
Printer
Marketing plan
The possibilities are endless. For example, you could have a recipe contest with all winning
recipes appearing in the cookbook.
Promote the cookbooks by displaying and selling them in area businesses, at sporting events,
and other special events in the community.
Throughout the cookbook, recognize the people who suggested recipes and helped put the
book together.
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Everyone comes out ahead on this one! Ask local businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries,
dry cleaners, oil change and car service stations, etc. to participate in your Coupon Card fundraiser by
acknowledging special discounts or offers to playspace supporters. Then, go out and sell the coupon
cards!
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Talk with your local restaurant, bakery, deli, or other local business and ask them to participate in your
Coupon Card fundraiser. Discuss what type of coupons they'd like to offer. For example, a coffee shop
might throw a in a free pastry with the purchase of a large cup of coffee. A dry cleaner could clean
the tenth item of lowest value for free.
2. Ask participating businesses if they can cover the printing and design cost of the cards. If not, ask
your local printing company to donate or discount their printing services.
3. Create your coupon sale campaign.
4. Determine what you will charge for each card. Twice the value of production is recommended.
5. Get the card design approved by the participating businesses.
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Paper for coupons (if not donated)
BEGINNING
2.
Flyers
MEDIUM
15
Hints:
s Helpful
•
If you are unable to get the cards printed professionally, consider designing the cards on a
•
•
computer and printing them on perforated sheets for business cards.
Make sure the cards are numbered for authenticity and tracking purposes.
The coupons should have an expiration date.
!
One community had so much success with this activity that they were able to raise $1,300. Plus, the local bakery that
STORY agreed to partner with the community experienced such a huge jump in sales they matched the fundraised amount, and
asked the community to do it again in the future!
Do you or one of your committee members know how to sew, saw, or stitch? Hold a craft making class.
Choose a project that individuals can do in a short period of time and host your own "how-to" class. You
can hold one class or a couple of sessions. How you structure it is up to you! Some project ideas include
ornaments, birdhouses, and scrapbooking.
Prep Steps:
1. If your local high school has a woodshop class, ask the teacher if the students can design and pre-cut
an item that is easy to assemble, like a birdhouse or treasure box.
2. Contact your local craft or lumber store and ask for a donation or price break on the supplies
you'll need.
3. Recruit volunteers to help bag each unassembled item.
4. Determine where and when you will hold your class.
5. Assemble and decorate a few of the items for display to get folks to sign up.
$
LOW
EASY
<10
Materials:
1. Pre-cut, unassembled craft projects
3. Advertising material
2.
Registration forms
Hint:
s Helpful
Great fundraiser to hold in the summer or around the holidays.
BEGINNING
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Give your community, including local shops and artists, the opportunity to show off their talents and
wares. Craft festivals allow participants to meet and greet community members and sell goods at the
same time. A profit is made by renting space to craft vendors and/or by a percentage of profits sold by
artisans.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
20+
BEGINNING
Prep Steps:
1. Give yourself ample time to plan this project. Ideally, the site should be reserved six months to a year
in advance and give plenty of notice to local artists.
2. Secure a location within the community that is capable of accommodating a large number of people
and their cars.
3. Create a map of the craft fair venue and identify where the stalls will be. As vendors sign up, mark
their location on your map. Remember to mark any booths that you'll need such as a food or
information booth. This will ensure that you have enough room for all of your vendors and don't
over-book.
4. Create a contract for vendors that indicates the terms that you both have agreed on. Be sure to have
them pay in advance.
5. Be sure to secure portable toilet facilities if your site doesn't have adequate restroom facilities.
Materials:
1. Promotion flyers and announcements
2. If possible, have vendors supply their own tables, chairs and tents for their booth.
s Helpful Hint:
You can also incorporate other fundraisers into your craft fair such as souvenir sales, soft drink
booths, or a craft raffle.
A
R
C
101 GREAT IDEAS
82
!
S
FT
ART!
!
S
C
I
A
MOS
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Children love receiving their own mail, and parents welcome this opportunity for a unique gift, especially
around holidays! Offer a personalized letter from Santa written on colorful holiday stationery.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Compose one or more standard Christmas letter using a word processing program.
2. Develop an order form, distributed to parents, for personalization and orders. Order form must
include vital information such as the child's name and address, but could also include age, name of
a pet, a recent good deed or accomplishment, etc.
3. Select and purchase stationery and stamps.
4. Set a price between $5 and $10 is suggested.
5. Take orders in advance, and collect payment with orders. Set a deadline to make sure letters will be
delivered on time.
Materials:
1. Computer and word processor
3 Stamps
MODERATE
20+
2.
4.
Holiday stationery
Order forms
Hints:
s Helpful
•
You can sometimes choose a city from which you'd like your cards mailed. North Pole, AK, Santa
•
MEDIUM
HOLIDAY
Claus, GA and Christmas, FL are a few holiday-themed choices. Contact a Post Master in the city
to make sure that they will open and re-mail bundled letters.
To turn this into a birthday card program, consider computer "birthday" software programs
($25-$50) that produce a birthday card/letter with the recipient's name, world headlines for the
year recipient was born, etc.
What a great way to raise funds for a safe and healthy playspace! Host a children's play day that includes
fun and creative activities for young people, ages 6-16. Charge a participation fee.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Set a date for your Day of Play.
2. Recruit volunteers to help plan and run the day's events.
3. Collect equipment and supplies needed.
4. Advertise your event at school, community centers, church, etc.
LOW
Materials:
1. Equipment and supplies for all activities. This could include sports equipment and arts and crafts
supplies.
2. Water and refreshments
3. Sign-up sheets
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Register participants in advance. This will help you prepare.
•
Have children bring a lunch or snack for the day.
BLIS
S!
EASY
<10
MIDDLE
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This is a great way to showcase the talent of your playspace design team your community's children!
Prep Steps:
1. Determine when and where the auction will take place.
2. Look into using a professional auctioneer who is willing to donate his/her time to facilitate
the auction.
3. Ask a local frame shop to donate frames and/or matting for this event in exchange for recognition.
$$
LOW
MODERATE
<10
Materials:
1. Children's artwork from Design Day
2. Posters to promote your event
Hints:
s Helpful
•
All the drawings should start at the same price.
•
•
MIDDLE
$
LOW
EASY
15
END
Make your auction part of a larger fundraising initiative, like a spaghetti dinner.
Encourage all auction attendees to purchase at least one drawing.
TIP ! Use the drawing with the highest bid as the illustration for your Build Day tee shirts!
Know someone whose cooking gets rave reviews? How about someone whose desserts are out of this
world!? Invite them to host a course of your progressive dinner party. Recruit host and hostesses that live
in a close proximity to one another to open up their home in support of your playspace build.The amount
of courses you have is endless. Go to one house for soup, then mosey to the next for salad. Don't forget
about appetizers. Then there's dinner and, most importantly, dessert!
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit neighbors to open their homes to a progressive dinner. Each house will be assigned a specific
item to cook: appetizers, salad, dinner, dessert, and drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic).
2. Each person is responsible for buying the necessary items to make the meal (including drinks).
3. Determine how much the tickets will cost for this event and how they will be sold.
4. Depending on the size of your response, there may have to be two groups of homes on the crawl.
Each group would follow a different route of homes.
5. Create an itinerary and map for participants to follow.
Materials:
1. Food and drinks
2. Tickets
3. Garbage bags, tablecloths, napkins, utensils, and cups
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Give your dinner crawl a theme and serve the food accordingly. Some themes are Hawaiian Luau,
•
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
84
Little Italy, Asian cuisine, Creole Cooking, Hispanic Fiesta, or a good ol' barbeque.
The people volunteering their homes should let you know how many people they can
accommodate. This number will be most important if that person is hosting the dinner portion
of the meal.
To keep the crawl moving along, place a time limit for each stop, with dinner having the most
amount of time.
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Pamper your dog (and others) at the Dog Wash! Collect donations for your playspace while enhancing
the canine community!
$
Prep Steps:
1. Ask a local pet store for a donation of shampoo, brushes, and combs.
2. Ask a local hardware or gardening store or a donation of several water hoses and buckets.You could
also ask community members to loan their hoses and buckets for the day.
3. Determine where the dog wash will take place.
4. Make sure the site has access to waterspouts.
5. Advertise your dog wash at veterinarians' offices, at local dog parks and pet stores.
Materials:
1. Buckets
3. Flyers
5. Towels
2.
4.
6.
Shampoo
Water hoses
Dog combs
EASY
<10
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Consider using your local school or church parking lot for the dog wash.
•
•
LOW
END
Ask the local pet store for gift certificate donations for your dog wash raffle.
This is a terrific volunteer activity for animal-loving older youth!
TIP ! Advertise at a local dog park on a Saturday morning! You'll be pleasantly surprised by the number of dirty dogs!
This is a popular school-based fundraiser that is just as much a hit with teachers as with students! Charge
participants $1 to wear something unusual or silly a funny hat, pajamas, shorts, etc.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Get permission from your school principal first!
2. Decide on a day no "formal" activities might require regular dress or a uniform.
3. Advertise, and be sure to let parents know that proceeds will go to your playspace project.
4. Dress up!
Materials:
1. Flyers or letters home to parents
LOW
EASY
Hint:
s Helpful
Consider doing this once a semester or once a quarter, changing the article of clothing each time.
<10
ONGOING
!
E
G
N
E
L
CHAL
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During an Easter-time bake sale or other event, sell small plastic Easter eggs filled with candy and small
slips of paper. Some slips will notify purchasers that they have won a prize such as a big chocolate Easter
bunny or a special Easter basket.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Work with your volunteer committee to first arrange a significant spring/Easter event, like a spring
carnival or bake sale.
2. Go to a party store to buy eggs.
3. Ask local businesses to donate small products for prizes.
4. Write out small slips of paper that denote prizes one piece might be inserted into every fifth (or
tenth) egg, for example.
5. Sell eggs!
LOW
EASY
<10
HOLIDAY
Materials:
1. Eggs
3. Slips of paper
5. Signs/Flyers
2.
4.
Candy
Prizes
Hint:
s Helpful
On the back of each slip of paper, include a little information about your project. Be sure to include
a phone number or Website where someone can go to learn more!
Make people's fantasies a reality, at least for a moment, by photographing them in front of a dream
mobile or on a surfboard! The possibilities are endless with this one…just use your imagination!
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
BEGINNING
Prep Steps:
1. Decide on a theme for your fantasy photo.This may be determined by the resources available to you.
Is there a car dealership or individual in your community that owns a "high-end" car? Ask them to
volunteer their car's time for a good cause. Do you know someone on your local NFL, MLB, or NBA
team? Ask if they would pose for photos with your neighbors. Perhaps they can even let you take
pictures on their field or court!
2. Secure a digital camera and film. Try to get one donated.
3. Set up a backdrop that goes along with your theme.You may also want to consider having props that
people can wear such as helmets, driving gloves, etc.
4. Recruit a volunteer photographer to help run the event.
5. Decide what to charge for the photos.
Materials:
1. Digital camera and film
3. Backdrop and props
s Helpful Hint:
2.
4.
Fantasy item(s)
Cash box
This is a great fundraiser to use in conjunction with other events.
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Ask clothing retailers or designers in your area to donate their latest outfits for a community fashion
show. Select models, get some cool lighting and music, create a walkway, and then spread the word! This
is great advertising for stores, and a fun way for fashion fans to raise money!
Prep Steps:
1. First, strike a deal with local clothing retailers and designers to get the latest outfits "on loan"
for the event.
2. Recruit models of all ages, shapes and sizes!
3. Find a fun venue for this event. A popular restaurant, night club, or even school auditorium will work!
4. Try to recruit the services of a local DJ for the evening!
5. Sell tickets!
Materials:
1. Loaned Clothing
3. Lighting/Music
5. Tickets
7. Signs/Flyers
2.
4.
6.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
Volunteer models
Sound system
Chairs for audience
MIDDLE
Hint:
s Helpful
If you can't find a DJ for free, simply ask a teen to be the DJ (and bring his/her own equipment
and music).
TIP ! See if your retailer or designer will also donate a fabulous door prize!
This is a great way to get businesses involved in your fundraising efforts. Contact the manager of your
local fast food chain and ask them about their fundraising programs. Many offer special programs
whereby proceeds from a certain night are donated to local charities. Some require that you help "staff"
the night.
Prep Steps:
1. Speak to managers at various chains. Speak to them about your playspace project and their
fundraising programs.
2. Make sure you understand the expectations of their fundraising program.
3. Let your community know which fast food chains are supporting you.
$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Good marketing is key to this event. Plan in advance.
•
Create a contract and have a good understanding between both groups.
WHIR
L!
T
N
E
V
!
E
UR
<10
ONGOING
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This hilarious, interactive game can result in huge donations for your playspace project. Community
members such as students, parents, etc., pay to have a big pink flamingo in their neighbor's or
schoolmate's front yard. In order to have the flamingo removed, the person that received the flamingo
has to pay $15 to have it removed and placed in another yard.You'll need more than one flamingo to start
this game, or you can use your school's mascot or anything else that has meaning to your community.
Folks will love going out in the morning to see who got "flamingoed" the night before.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
<10
BEGINNING
Prep Steps:
1. Either purchase a plastic hot pink flamingo or create a 4-foot tall wooden pink flamingo. You will
need 6-8 flamingos to start this game.
2. Explain the game clearly to the community through informational flyers, or even better, through a
letter to your neighbors and members. Explain that ten, huge, hot-pink flamingos will mysteriously
appear in ten yards on a given day. For $10, the flamingo can be removed, or the recipient can pay
$15 to have the pink flamingo placed in someone else's front yard. You can offer "flamingo
insurance" for $25. This game continues until the cutoff date.
3. To avoid "flamingoing" someone by accident, have folks sign up to participate in the Flamingo Hop.
4. Recruit volunteers to help deliver the flamingos.
Materials:
1. At least 6 plastic flamingos or tall wooden flamingos
2. Registration forms
Hints:
s Helpful
•
The element of surprise is important with this game, but it's your decision to let the person know
•
who sent them the flamingo.
You can do an office-friendly version of this fundraiser by making paper cut-outs of flamingos,
and charge office mates to flock other people's offices or cubes. Reduce costs for an
office version.
STORY !
One community raised nearly $2,000 and had a lot of fun with this fundraiser. While most donations were in the suggested
range of $10 - 20, organizers were surprised by the number of larger contributions.
HOP!
LEAP!
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Everyone loves a bargain! Gather families together to get rid of their used furniture, toys, garden
equipment, kitchen gear, etc. Talk to professional vendors in your community, and invite them too!
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Gather goods to sell. Engage families, neighbors, friends, etc. in this effort. Be sure to reach out to
professional flea market vendors too by visiting flea and antique markets in your area. Decide what
percentage of sales will go to your playspace project.
2. Choose a large space for your flea market. Designate spaces for each vendor.
3. Advertise your event.
MEDIUM
CHALLENGING
Materials:
1. Space large enough for a big community sale
2. Flyers
+20
s Helpful Hint:
Consider combining this with some kind of food sales (Subway sandwiches, popcorn, pancake
brunch, etc.). Some communities have made just as much, if not more, from food sales than the sale
of goods!
MIDDLE
TIP ! If you can find a large outdoor parking lot for a venue, designate each parking space as a "booth."
Many children are enrolled in after-school martial arts, dance, and gymnastics classes. These academies
are often happy to give back to the community, especially if it involves children. The publicity their
program receives is an added incentive! Ask a martial arts, dance, or gymnastics academy to donate 10%
of their profits over a specific period of time, or $1.00 for each child that signs up for a class. Be sure to
highlight how much publicity the school will get from this event.
Prep Steps:
1. Find a martial arts, dance, or gymnastics academy that will participate in your fundraising campaign.
You may want to consider having the academy sign a letter that outlines your agreement.
2. Advertise your event throughout your community.
Materials:
1. Flyers and posters to advertise your event
$$
LOW
EASY
<10
s Helpful Hint:
An option is to have parents choose to give a donation at class registration time for the playspace.
MIDDLE
!
N
I
P
S
FLIP!
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A fun and healthy fundraiser that your community will enjoy.
Prep Steps:
1. Ask your local fruit stand, grocery store, or farmer for a donation of oranges, grapefruit, apples
or pears.
2. Sell your fruit during a local event, after church, or if you live near a local bike and running trail, by
trail heads.
$
LOW
EASY
Materials:
1. Fruit
3. Bags for fruit
<10
Hint:
s Helpful
Have plenty of garbage bags, paper towels and water on hand.
2.
4.
Tables
Cash box
TIP ! Suggest a donation amount based on the number of seeds in each piece of fruit!
MIDDLE
Remember the days of full service? Well, you don't have to re-create the whole experience, but you can
find a local gas station willing to participate and offer to clean windows in exchange for a voluntary
donation.
$
MEDIUM
EASY
Prep Steps:
1. Find a local gas station owner who will let your group wash windows in exchange for a small
donation to your playspace project.
2. Make sure that the gas station has the cleaning supplies you will need!
3. Recruit volunteers to wash and wipe great for teens!
4. Advertise your event with posters at the station on the big day, or with flyers in the community
in advance!
Materials:
1. Flyers
15
BEGINNING
Hint: Don't be put off by the simplicity of this fundraiser! In just a few hours, you'll be
s Helpful
surprised at how much you're able to make.
!
E
V
I
R
ST
101 GREAT IDEAS
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This is a great way to have community members support your playspace project by shopping at stores
they already frequent. Ask your neighborhood's supermarkets, dry cleaners, restaurants, etc. to donate $5
and $10 gift certificates at a discount. Then sell these certificates to shoppers at face value. All of the
money raised goes to your playspace and the participating stores get customers who will likely spend
more money than the value of the gift certificate in the store when they go to redeem it.
Prep Steps:
1. Ask supermarkets, retail stores, and local businesses to donate $5 and $10 gift certificates at a
discounted price.
2. Recruit volunteers to help re-sell the gift certificates at face value.
3. Determine where the gift certificates will be sold.
4. Make signs to advertise your event.
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
Materials:
1. Gift certificates
2. Record book for certificate purchases
Hints:
s Helpful
•
This is a great fundraiser for the holiday season.
•
$$
MIDDLE
There are many national companies that specialize in national gift certificate (scrip) fundraising
programs. Search the Internet to find one that fits your needs.
!
One community was able to get the support from various types of businesses for this fundraiser from toy stores, clothing
STORY retailers and even a sporting goods store! They were able to raise $1,200! This tool was so successful that they've decided
to do it every year during the holidays.
This is a great way to fundraise around the holidays.The holidays are a busy time for many, so offer to take
something off their "to-do" list by providing a gift wrapping service. Folks wait while you wrap their gifts
or, to save time, drop them off and pick them up later. This requires a fair amount of organization as you
want to make sure that everyone gets all of their presents received. Set your prices according to the size
of the wrapping needed.
Prep Steps:
1. Contact your local party store or craft shop and request a donation (or discount) on wrapping paper,
tape, and ribbon.
2. Recruit volunteers to help wrap gifts.
3. Determine where the gifts will be wrapped
4. Determine how much you will charge to wrap each gift.
5. Create a system for wrapping gifts so that none get misplaced.
Materials:
1. Wrapping paper
3. Ribbon, tape
5. Boxes
2.
4.
Scissors
Table
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
HOLIDAY
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
This is PERFECT during the holidays, or around Mother's/Father's Day, but advertise your service
year round.
Barnes & Noble frequently sponsors this service for local clubs and projects around the holidays.
Check with your store manager to see if your local store participates.
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Barter for bucks! This fundraiser works to provide folks with services they need in order to give children
the playspace they need. Community members inform you of a service that can provide or need. Donors
buy a service they need which is provided by a volunteer. Payment for the service is made to your
playspace fund. For example, a community member donates their time to babysit on a Friday night.
Another community member who needs a babysitter signs up for the service and pays for it by making
a donation to the playspace. The amount of the donation depends on the service.
$$
LOW
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit volunteers to donate their services (the GIVE) and list services that they need (the TAKE).
2. Post these on a bulletin board, on your Website, or include them in a weekly newsletter.
3. Determine the donation amount for each service or item that will go to the playspace project.
4. If an individual would like a service or item, or is willing to provide a service they can either contact
each other or go through you.
5. Determine how donations will be collected.
Materials:
1. Information board or newsletter
2. Flyers
s Helpful Hint:
Encourage "givers" and "takers" to sign a receipt to turn in with their donation.
A clean golf ball can make the difference between a ball in the water or a hole-in-one! Set up a table at a
local golf course that offers golf ball and club cleaning.
$
LOW
EASY
15
Prep Steps:
1. Locate your local golf courses or private clubs in the area and get permission to set up a small table
and offer to clean golf balls and clubs.
2. Determine how much you will charge to clean the items.
3. Be sure to distribute information about your playspace and about volunteering.
Materials:
1. Table
2. Sign
3. Towels and buckets
4. Scrub brushes and soap
s Helpful Hints:
MIDDLE
•
•
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
92
!
G
N
I
W
S
This fundraiser works great at golf tournaments!
Consider holding a raffle in connection with your golf ball spa. Ask the pro shop or a local
sporting goods store to donate a golf prize or gift certificate.
Decorate your table or booth with Design Day pictures.
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Invite children and adults to dress in Halloween costumes and participate in a community parade. Earn
money by charging an entry fee, by selling food and by taking Polaroid or digital pictures.
Prep Steps:
1. Identify a suitable date and time around Halloween for your event. Try not to conflict with trick-ortreat times consider the weekend before Halloween, for example.
2. Work with authorities to determine a parade route even if it's just around your school, parking lot or
potential playspace!
3. Create a system for registering participants and collecting payment prior to the event.
4. If you are holding a contest, secure in-kind donations as prizes.
Materials:
1. Flyers
2. Bid sheets
3. Auction locale
$$
HIGH
EASY
20+
HOLIDAY
Hint:
s Helpful
Consider offering prizes for the scariest, funniest, prettiest, etc., costumes.
Want to create a lasting memory of the playspace build and the community coming together? How
about a wall of handprints? What an incentive and souvenir to walk by your playspace and see you, or
your child's, handprints! If your playspace isn't by a wall, you can also do this with patio blocks and/or
ceramic tiles.
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a wall that is visible to the public and will not be used for another purpose in the future.
2. Create and print order forms and send them to parents.
3. Create a list of people who will be contacted by phone or mail to purchase a handprint.
4. Pre-sell handprints!
5. Select specific times and dates for the hand printing to take place.
Materials:
1. A plain wall
2. Suitable paint of various colors, brushes, permanent markers
3. Ceramic tiles
$$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
BEGINNING
s Helpful Hint:
Collect the money from donors when the order is placed.
MEMORIES!
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A holiday card sale is a great way to spread the word about your playspace and provide folks with the
perfect card to send their friends and loved ones.You may want to consider having a holiday card design
contest at your school, church, or with your community group.You can choose one or more designs to go
on the front of each card.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit volunteers (especially children) to create holiday cards with a playspace theme.
2. Select the winning entries.
3. Find a printer or copy shop to print your cards for free or for a reduced cost.
4. Sell cards throughout your community. Have folks place orders prior to printing to ensure that you
don't print too few or too many.
Materials:
1. Order form
2. Holiday cards
15
HOLIDAY
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Include a small blurb about your project on the back of each card.
•
This fundraiser needs some advance planning - you'll need time to hold the design contest, have
cards printed and sell the cards!
TIP ! You can turn this into a sponsorship opportunity by printing sponsors' logos on the back of the cards.
PE
!
S
L
I
C
N
MARK
101 GREAT IDEAS
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ERS
!
PAINT!
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For once, being arrested, escorted to and locked up in jail is fun and beneficial to your community!
Popular "jail and bail" fundraisers involve arresting citizens and playspace supporters on trumped up
charges, escorting them to a public space (jail) and having them make calls to friends and families for
"bail." All bail money supports your project!
The event usually begins with someone calling "criminals," informing them of their "arrest." Off-duty
police officers or volunteers "arrest" the unsuspecting participant, serving them with a warrant. He or she
is then whisked off to "jail". An alternative is to have people make a donation, thereby earning the right
to choose someone who will go to jail. That person then has to either raise enough contributions to
match their friend's donation, or match bail set by a judge.
When the participants arrive at the "jail", their bail is set by a volunteer judge. With telephones and
telephone books, the jailbirds make pledge calls to friends, relatives and co-workers to earn their bail.
Most incarcerations last for one to two hours.
Prep Steps:
1. Decide how you'd like to organize your Jail and Bail. You may want to have well-known folks
"volunteer" to be sent to jail.
2. Recruit lots of volunteer police officers, judges and a couple of cooks to prepare a snack for
the jailbirds.
3. Decide on a public location for jail. Get a supply of telephones so that jailbirds can make bail calls.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
Materials:
1. Phones
2. Phone books/Phone lists
3. Snacks
4. Flyers
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
Fun-loving folks may only be arrested with their consent.
Consider a "Most Wanted" list for prominent citizens willing to participate.
T
!
M
EA
SPIR
IT!
95
MEDIUM
EASY
<10
<10
END
2.
4.
Karaoke songbook
Signs/Flyers
Hints:
s Helpful
•
If you can't find a professional machine, ask your friends. Karaoke is so popular that affordable
•
•
EASY
Page 96
Prep Steps:
1. First try to find a professional-quality karaoke machine and songbook as a donation or discount. Talk
to DJs, party companies and even bars/restaurants that host karaoke evenings.
2. Select a date, time and location for your event. Some bars/restaurants might be happy to donate
space in exchange for dinner/drink purchases. Barter away!
3. Ask local businesses to donate small products for prizes.
5. Sell tickets!
Materials:
1. Karaoke machine
3. Prizes
BEGINNING
LOW
10:17 PM
Karaoke is wildly popular with a wide range of audiences, from teens to seniors. Try it - you'll be surprised!
Local DJs and party companies will rent (or maybe donate!) the use of a karaoke machine and songbook
for the night. Use this one to let playspace supporters sing their hearts out!
$$
$
4/28/2005
home units are now the rage!
Celebrity participants always heighten excitement!
Go a step further than simply singing, and have a star "look alike" contest!
Is there someone you'd like to see kiss a pig? How much money do you think it would take for them to
do so? Why not hold a contest and find out! There are many ways that you can run this contest. For
example, elect two or more people, such as your school's principal or a local athlete, to kiss a pig. Have
folks pay to vote for whom they would like to see kiss a pig. The person who earns the most cash gets to
pucker up! Consider asking a few local schools or groups in the community to hold separate contests.The
more sites you have, the more money you will raise for the playspace. You can also use this as an
opportunity to create media attention. Imagine the headline "Local principals pucker up for playspaces"!
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit your pig kissing volunteers. In a school situation, it could be a contest between the principal
and the teachers, or in a community, between local well-known citizens.
2. Place photographs of the candidates on the collection jars. People will place a donation in the jar if
they would like to see the candidate kiss a pig.
3. Hold the contest for a month (or a scheduled period of time) and announce the top candidates. On
the date of the actual "pig kiss" ask people to match donations for each kiss.
Materials:
1. Photographs of candidates
2. Mason jars with a top that includes a slit (so the money can be secure within the jar)
3. A pig or any "un-kissable" animal
4. A public place to hold the pig kiss
Hints:
s Helpful
•
The candidates should be light-hearted and good sports about the contest.
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
96
Scan a picture of the "candidates" and the pig to create posters and to decorate the
voting containers.
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The most tried and true fundraiser of them all! Who doesn't like lemonade? Pick a sunny day and a good
location, and sell away!
$
Prep Steps:
1. Ask a grocery store or bakery to donate items.
2. Set a date and location for the sale.
3. Determine what to charge for each cup of lemonade.
4. Recruit volunteers.
5. Take advance orders.
Materials:
1. Table
3. Cash box
5. Lemonade
MEDIUM
EASY
2.
4.
6.
Cups and napkins
Pitchers
Trash bags
<10
Hint:
s Helpful
Remember basic rules of hygiene and food service. Cover lemonade and ice cubes between servings
to keep out bugs, wash your hands frequently, and tie long hair back!
Want everyone's contribution to your playspace set in stone? Consider creating a brick memorial path or
wall leading to your playspace. Community members may buy in memory of or in honor of a friend or
loved one. Each brick is engraved with a name. Engraved bricks generally cost about $12 per brick, plus
shipping and handling. Sell the bricks at a price you believe is acceptable to your community. Our
partners have charged anywhere from $40 to $100 per brick. To help reduce costs, have volunteers lay
the bricks.
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a manufacturer that makes engraved bricks.
2. Create an order form for the bricks. Most companies provide these.
3. Advertise the memorial path and create a mailing list of perspective donors.
4. Secure a temporary storage location for the bricks, and another location for the permanent path.
5. Send flyers and order forms to parents of the children.
6. Work with a landscape architect or contractor (or your Construction Team Captain!) to determine the
best place and construction method for the walkway or wall.
Materials:
1. Order forms
2. Brick laying supplies for Build Day
3. Specialty bricks
MIDDLE
$$$
HIGH
MODERATE
15
BEGIINING
Hints:
s Helpful
•
If you do not know how to lay bricks, consult books on masonry or outdoor projects.
•
•
•
Collect money at the time the order is placed.
Look in national landscaping magazines and on the Internet for vendors who sell
engraved bricks.
A great selling point about the bricks is that the engraving will last for many years to come.
STORY !
This fundraiser helped a military base community raise $16,000.They felt it was a great way to have their own version of
the Washington Memorial on base, while creating a foundation for their children's future.
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Ask adult members of your community to donate homemade meals packaged in a fun menu. These
menus are then auctioned off. For example: Specialty Chocolate Dessert for Four, Spaghetti Dinner for Six,
Fondue for Two, etc.The date of each dinner is negotiated between the cooks and the successful bidders.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit volunteer chefs, and help them select an original menu name/idea.
2. Make sure chefs know they will be responsible for packing and delivering the meal.
3. Print attractive and fun "menus" for bidding.
4. Arrange a date and location for the auction.
LOW
MODERATE
15
Materials:
1. Donated menus
2. Auction space
3. Bid sheets
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Ask a local celebrity chef to participate.
MIDDLE
•
Create a sign-up/volunteer list for the playspace build at the door.
TIP ! Do not reveal the names of the cooks until after the menu has been sold-adds more suspense and fun!
Help your community pave the way to a playspace! The goal of this fundraiser is to ask for contributions
of dollar bills that will result in one mile of money!
$$
HIGH
CHALLENGING
15
MIDDLE
Prep Steps:
1. Contact your local law enforcement and/or city officials to request permission to hold this innovative
fundraiser. It involves motor traffic and roads, and cannot be held without their cooperation.
2. Find a mile-long stretch of a high-traffic road, preferably near a busy shopping center.
3. Recruit volunteers to help set up and manage this event.
4. Mark one mile of the road by setting up stakes, signs, balloons, etc.
5. Going from car to car at a stop light, try to collect one mile's worth of dollar bills from motorists.
Materials:
1. Reflective clothing
2. Donation cans
3. Signs/Flyers
4. Banners, balloons, etc., to mark your mile
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Ask local celebrities to participate in the event to generate more customers and media attention.
•
All volunteers should wear a hat, button, or T-shirt that denotes your project.
STORY !
In six hours, in one community, over 815 motorists "dug-deep" and came up with $7,180.00, averaging $8.80 per vehicle.
TIP ! This can be a very visual event. Encourage your local TV station to broadcast collection and measuring efforts!
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Appeal to movie buffs with a special screening of a new or special movie. Some cinemas and movie
houses offer special "screening" nights to community groups for fundraising purposes. They'll donate
combinations of ticket and/or refreshment sales to your project.
Prep Steps:
1. Find out if a local cinema or movie house will offer a special screening night to your group. Be sure
you understand the deal and requirements.
2. Create fun flyers letting your community know about your event.
Materials:
1. Flyers
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Hint:
s Helpful
Consider a family-friendly movie to encourage whole families to come out in support of your
<10
playspace!
MIDDLE
In a democracy, everyone wins! Charge adults and children a small fee to cast a ballot for the new
playspace name. We recommend challenging children to come up with possible names, and then have
your community vote. Hold an event to unveil the new name of the playspace.
Prep Steps
1. Find a great location for your "unveiling."
2. Set a date, time, and place to collect the ballots.
3. In order to cast a vote, community members will have to pay a small fee. (Decide what the fee
should be.)
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Ballots
2. Permanent plaque for playspace
<10
Hint:
s Helpful
This can be part of a larger event or can be held as an event of its own! All ages can participate.
STORY !
B
END
By letting the children submit names for the playground, one community raised $500 with this fundraiser.
N
U
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Non-events have become very popular fundraisers. With so many choices and events, you'll be surprised
at the number of people who will donate just for the opportunity to stay home! What is a non-event? It's
a made-up event that doesn't really exist. What is great is that 100% of the proceeds go directly to your
playspace!
$$
MEDIUM
EASY
4/28/2005
Prep Steps:
1. Decide on the theme and date of your non-event.
2. Send out invitations that say, for example, "XYZ PlaySpace Project is hosting its first annual Black Tie
Non Event. The event will NOT take place on April 5, 2005. Cocktails will NOT be served at 6 pm,
dinner will NOT be served at 7 pm and our program will NOT begin at 8 pm."
3. Ask people to make a donation in the amount it might normally cost to attend such an event (remind
them of all the costs: ticket price, tuxedo rental, babysitter, etc.).
4. Advertise your non-event!
<10
Materials:
1. Attractive invitations
MIDDLE
$$
LOW
EASY
15
MIDDLE
Hint:
s Helpful
Consider holding your non-event on April Fool's Day!
Calling all three-legged racers, tug-of-war enthusiasts, and obstacle course cruisers…it's time for the
Outrageous Olympics! Hold a community Olympic event. Form teams of families, friends, classrooms to
compete against each other in silly events. Charge a participation fee and award prizes to the Bronze,
Silver, and Gold Place finishers.
Prep Steps:
1. Select a date and time for your event.
2. Recruit volunteers to design and referee games, and manage the event.
3. Collect necessary items for each event, i.e., rope for tug-o-war, potato sacks, etc.
4. Determine how much each team/person will be charged for entrance fee.
5. Ask businesses to donate prize items and trophies.
6. Request a water donation from a grocery store or water company.
Materials:
1. Water
2. Trophies and prizes, medals
3. Tickets
4. Rope, potato sacks/pillowcases, and any other items needed for your events
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
•
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
100
This event may require a large number of volunteers.
Have a Build Day volunteer sign-up sheet at the event.
Athletes will need a large quantity of water to avoid dehydration.
Consider a "Preschool" category marshmallow shot-put, etc.
R
U
H
!
S
DLE
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Page 101
Did someone say pancakes? Who can pass up warm pancakes and syrup? Hopefully no one in your
community! Host a pancake brunch for a club or organization on a Saturday or, after church services. Set
a price and have folks pay at the door or have folks sign up and pay beforehand so that you'll have an idea
of how many pancakes are needed.
Prep Steps:
1. If hosting it with a club, have them help in the planning.
2. Secure a location such as a church hall, school cafeteria, or firehouse.
3. Make sure to collect enough tables and chairs.
4. Determine who will be doing the cooking.
$$
HIGH
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Napkins, paper plates, and utensils
2. Refreshments
3. Pancake batter and syrup
4. Cooking surface
15
BEGINNING
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Smaller communities can ask friends who have a cozy, but spacious, home to host the brunch.
•
Offer a special kid's price.
TIP ! Consider making this an all-you-can-eat event, or charge a special all-you-can-eat price!
Events that bring parents and children together are a great way to raise money for a playspace that's
meant for the whole family. Ideas include a Mother-Son Brunch or Father-Daughter Dance.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Decide on a theme for your event.
2. Find an appropriate location a banquet hall, restaurant, park. Try to get this space donated.
3. Decide what you will charge participants.
4. Have your food committee get food and drink donations.
5. Advertise your event and have folks register beforehand.
LOW
EASY
Materials:
1. Needs will vary depends on the type of event you host
Hint:
s Helpful
If you're hosting a dance, ask a DJ to donate his/her services. This person may also want to play on
15
Build Day.
TOG
BEGINNING
ETHE
R!
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Designate a prime parking spot in your school, church or organization's lot. Name it your "Parking Space
for Play" and auction it off each month! The winner gets to enjoy a reserved spot closest to the entrance.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Get approval.
2. Determine when to have your auction and what the starting bid will be.
3. Advertise your event and playspace project.
4. Place a sign in front of the auctioned spot identifying it as a "PlaySpace!"
5. Auction it away.
LOW
EASY
Materials:
1. "PlaySpace" parking sign
2. Flyers
<10
s Helpful Hints:
BEGINNING
•
•
Advertise your event well in advance and build hype.
Consider auctioning off more than one spot on a monthly basis.
Whether it's spaghetti, linguine, ziti or ravioli this fundraiser is a favorite standby. Why? It's a cinch (and
cheap!) to prepare, and brings lots of folks together for your playspace.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a location.
2. Recruit volunteer cooks. This may be a good way to get a group of seniors or other clubs involved in
your project.
3. Get your ingredients donated along with paper plates, cups, and utensils.
4. Consider asking families to bring a dessert.
5. Think about having a pasta bar with a variety of pasta and sauces.
6. You can either charge people for attending the event or hold the event and ask for donations during
the dinner.
LOW
EASY
<10
BEGINNING
Materials:
1. Posters and flyers to advertise event
2. Food and drinks
3. Cups, plates, utensils, and napkins
4. Information about your playspace
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Serve the meal in a school cafeteria or a church banquet hall; these places are equipped with
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
102
kitchens.
Sell tickets ahead of time.
GR
!
T
EA
DELIG
HT!
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Page 103
A penny for your thoughts? How about a penny for your playspace? Have a massive penny drive by
placing a penny drive jug at your school, church, beauty salon, deli, office, etc. Those pennies will add up.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit businesses and organizations to participate in the PlaySpace Penny Drive.
2. Place jugs in prominent locations. Water jugs work very well.
3. Consider having a penny drive contest. The location that collects the most pennies wins!
4. Set a deadline.
5. Recruit volunteers to collect jugs and roll change.
6. Make a fun playspace sign for your jug.
Materials:
1. Water jugs
2. Coin rolls
•
•
Classes may put other coins and paper currency into the containers of OTHER classes. Each silver
coin or bill reduces the number of points from that container by the amount of the coin, (e.g. a
nickel reduces the points by five, a dime by ten, a dollar by 100, etc.) This is where strategy
counts. Have fun with it!
Containers are emptied and counted daily. The total monetary amount of silver coins and paper
currency is deducted from the total number of pennies for the day.
The totals for all classes are posted daily to encourage friendly competition. The totals can be
posted as tallies. A chart, blackboard or whiteboard, in a central location, works well for
these postings.
STORY !
EASY
<10
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Have a classroom penny war! One point is received for every penny in the container.
•
LOW
ONGOING
KaBOOM! school community partners have absolutely loved (and profited from!) all-school penny wars! Children really
enjoy getting involved.
Everyone loves pizza! Work with your neighborhood pizza parlor or other restaurant to designate one
day a week for a month, or one consecutive week, "Pizza for Play Night". Pass out coupons throughout
your community announcing the event and encourage folks to support the playspace by ordering pizza
on the right night and handing in their playspace flyer. Have the pizza parlor donate a percentage of each
pie purchased with a flyer to the playspace project.
$
MEDIUM
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit a restaurant partner.
2. Create flyers and pass them out.
EASY
Materials:
1. Flyers
s
<10
Helpful Hints:
•
In the summer, an ice cream shop would be a perfect substitute for the pizza place.
•
Decorate the pizza parlor for the week's event, including pictures of your proposed playspace.
ONGOING
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A fundraising plane pull can generate a lot of good publicity and raise funds for your playspace! Pulls are
done by teams (should consist of around 20 folks each) that pay an entry fee and compete in several
categories. If you don't have access to a plane, try something a little smaller, like a fire truck, Fed Ex truck
- even a hearse!
$$$
HIGH
MODERATE
15
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a plane, truck or tractor to pull! Make sure you talk to the vehicle's owner about appropriate
safety features, and ask if they can arrange delivery to your site.
2. Secure a venue that is large enough for your plane, teams and spectators. Don't fret teams generally
don't pull a plane very far, 10 feet is usually MORE than enough!
3. Decide on prize categories: Fastest Pull, Lightest Combined Body Weight, Top Men's and Women's,
Best Showmanship.
4. Make flyers to advertise your Plane Pull.
5. Look for local, in-kind donations for team prizes or trophies.
Materials:
1. A large, attention-getting vehicle!
2. Flyers
3. Prizes/Trophies for teams
END
s Helpful Hint:
Challenge teams to be creative by coming up with original cheers, wearing costumes, etc.
Sell decorative and vegetable plants in the spring when folks are preparing to plant their gardens. Find a
wholesale plant store to purchase high quality plants at a good price. Tell them what you are doing and
they may give you an even better deal.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a date and location for your event.
2. Collect plants.
3. Recruit volunteers with a "green thumb" to run the event.
4. Set prices for your plants.
LOW
EASY
Materials:
1. Flats for carrying plants
2. Pots
3. Cash box
4. Tables
<10
BEGINNING
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Have a backup location in case of rain.
•
101 GREAT IDEAS
104
SALE!
Consider selling decorative pots, or pots painted by school children, at your sale.
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Page 105
The playspace equivalent of a "dress down" day at the office! Motivate your office to support your
playspace by hosting a dress down day that gives them the opportunity to wear their playclothes to
work. If your office has a permanent "dress down" policy, consider hosting a "dress up" day.
Prep Steps:
1. Get approval to have a "Playclothes for PlaySpace Day" from your office.
2. Determine how much to charge.
3. Advertise your event and playspace project.
4. Place someone in charge of collecting money.
$
LOW
EASY
Materials:
1. Cash box
s Helpful Hint:
<10
Use this opportunity to recruit Build Day volunteers.
BEGINNING
An outdoor dance on the site of your future playspace will attract attention to your project. This idea
could also include a dance-a-thon type event where attendees collect pledges.
Prep Steps:
1. If it isn't possible to have your dance on the future site of your playspace, choose another venue.
2. Ask a DJ to volunteer his/her time.
3. Ask a convenience store or supermarket to donate drinks.
4. If it is a themed event, choose a theme and appropriate decorations.
Materials:
1. Sound system
2. Tables and chairs
3. Decorations and banners
4. Volunteers
s
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
Helpful Hints:
•
In your volunteer schedule, include a crew of volunteers for clean up after the dance.
•
Make sure that you understand all costs associated with your venue. Some, for example, will
charge extra amounts for security or clean up.
•
Be sure to include a band or DJ whose tastes/music suits your community's style.
MIDDLE
DANCE!
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Page 106
How about a picnic at the future build site? Fond memories of family cookouts come to mind when one
thinks of a BBQ and that's just what you need to foster community engagement. Fire up the grill and get
as much as you can donated. Charge families to attend and place a donation jar by the food for extra
donations!
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
Prep Steps:
1. Get food and drinks donated. This may be a good task for the food committee. If you can't get it
donated, try to get a discount.
2. Gather plenty of cups, plates, utensils, and napkins.
3. Secure grills, charcoal or propane.
4. Recruit volunteer chefs and a clean-up committee!
5. Determine how much you are going to charge per person (a special price for children is
recommended). Also, decide if folks will need to register beforehand so that you can be sure to have
enough food.
Materials:
1. Food
3. Charcoal and propane
5. Trash bags
7. Cash box
MIDDLE
2.
4.
6.
Grills
Utensils, napkins, plates and cups
Registration forms
s Helpful Hint:
If the site doesn't have tables, encourage people to bring blankets.
STORY !
Paint-it-yourself pottery studios are popping up all over the place! This fundraiser can be executed a
variety of ways. You can have local pottery artists donate their time to teach folks how to make pottery
for a fee. Or, have pottery artists donate some of their work to the playspace project. Then, either auction
it, raffle it, or sell it at a craft fair.
$$
Another idea: Have a PlaySpace Pottery Day and have children paint their own pottery.
LOW
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
One community decided to use this fundraiser around the 4th of July. They raised well over $1,000, and also provided a
great opportunity for the community to get to know each other.
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit local artists to donate their teaching skills or pottery pieces.
2. Determine when and where to have your event.
3. Recruit volunteers to help manage the day.
Materials:
1. Unpainted pottery pieces (cups, picture frames, bowls)
2. Paint, brushes
3. Pottery
4. Table
s Helpful Hints:
Know someone famous or popular in your community? Ask them to paint pieces which will
dramatically increase your profits. Try getting news anchors, sports fans, politicians, and teachers to
paint pieces.
101 GREAT IDEAS
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Who can resist the smell of freshly popped popcorn? A popcorn sale is a great supplement to a larger
event or as a weekly school sale on Friday afternoons.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a popcorn machine, popcorn, butter, and bags from a local vendor.
2. Determine where to sell popcorn and for how much.
LOW
Materials:
1. Popcorn, butter, salt
2. Popcorn bags
3. Popcorn machine
EASY
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Pop caramel popcorn.
•
•
15
Use other flavors and colorings to make it more festive.
School sporting events, church socials, and during lunch at school or work are great places to
sell popcorn.
ONGOING
Get your community moving and raise some funds by sponsoring a playspace run. 1 mile, 5 or 10 K--the
race distance is up to you!
Prep Steps:
1. Enlist the help of a local running store to help out with the logistics and advertising.
2. Contact your police department to secure permission for your event if you'll be conducting your run
on city streets.
3. Figure out what the registration fee will be.
4. Advertise! Advertise! Advertise!
Materials:
1. Registration forms
2. Race numbers for participants
3. Water for race day
4. Volunteers
RUN!
Hint:
s Helpful
Start planning at least six months in advance, solicit a strong committee, and solicit the help of a local
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
running store.
!
M
O
ZO
107
MEDIUM
MODERATE
MIDDLE
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Page 108
Raffles are a great way to generate money for your playspace and can be done in myriad ways. For
example, have a 50/50 where half of money raised from the raffle is awarded to the winner and half goes
toward your playspace project. Or, ask your local travel agency to donate two airline tickets. What about
raffling off a new bike or car? The sky's the limit on this one. What you charge per ticket should be
determined by the prize.
$$
<10
4/28/2005
Prep Steps:
1. Check local regulations regarding raffles, especially if you are doing a 50/50 raffle. Some states
require purchase of a special license.
2. Try to get as many prizes donated as possible from every store in the community, including one or
two "grand" prizes.
3. Create raffle tickets with sponsors’ names printed on them. Determine what you will charge for
each ticket.
4. Decide how tickets will be sold and how money will be collected.
5. Sell tickets!
6. Decide how and when the winner will be announced.
Materials:
1. Prizes
2.
Printed tickets, a method of centralizing the money collection
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Consider selling tickets for $2 a piece or three for $5.
•
•
There are many places you can sell your tickets. For instance, you can sell them at work, at the
gym, to your fellow Rotary club members, and in your neighborhood.
While selling, spread the word about the playspace project and sign up volunteers!
!
A KaBOOM! partner with limited resources for raffle prizes decided to use the opportunity to get rid of one of her grown
STORY children's favorite toys a HUGE stuffed animal that was in great shape. She only charged 25 cents per ticket,but was flooded
by the response. She raised over $1,000 with this super simple raffle!
Rake, shovel or mow your way to your fundraising goal!
$
LOW
EASY
15
Prep Steps:
1. This is a great volunteer activity for children and teenagers.
2. Talk to local hardware or general merchandise stores and ask if they are able to donate rakes and
shovels. If not, you may be able to receive a discount price. If not, borrow these items from your
neighbors!
3. Adult chaperones may be needed at times.
Materials:
1. Rakes/shovels/lawn mower
2. Leaf bags and ties
s Helpful Hint:
Receive written permission from parents before children help with this activity.
MIDDLE
Consider This:
Kids are motivated by contests. Hold a community-wide contest for the child that does the most raking
and shoveling. A possible prize is a permanent plaque at the playspace with the child's name on it.
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Are people asking you why they should give to your project? Give 'em a reason!
Prep Steps:
1. Create a flyer called "Reasons to Give." Include instructions that suggest a $1 (or other suggested
donation amount) for each reason that applies to them.
2. Come up with as many real (and fun!) reasons as you can, such as:
•
Because I like to play
•
Because I like supporting community events
•
Because I got hurt on a playground once and don't want to see other kids have the same accident.
•
Because I live in the neighborhood
•
Because I know the importance of outdoor activities
3. Go door-to-door, or send such a letter home with kids, and ask folks to share among their friends and
families for contributions.
$
LOW
EASY
<10
Materials:
1. Flyers
Hint:
s Helpful
This is a great activity for children! Offer a prize to the class that raises the most money!
Let your community's cooking talents shine through and raise funds for your playspace. You can charge
both a ticket price for eaters and an entry fee for cookers (encourage teams!). Decide what recipe is best
for your community, chili and apple pie are two favorites! The winning individual or team wins a prize!
Try to recruit local chefs as judges.
Prep Steps:
1. Decide on a recipe.
2. Advertise event, recruiting both cooks and audience.
3. Try to get a prize for the winner donated or discounted. Think about a cooking store or department
store as a possibility.
4. Determine date and location of event.
Materials:
1. Tables
2. Bowls/Plates/Utensils
3. Entry forms
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
•
COOK
IES!
BEGINNING
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
BEGINNING
Make sure that each ticket holder is equipped with a bowl or plate. Let them roam the tables,
sampling as much as they need to vote wisely!
In addition to a prize for the best recipe, have a "People's Choice" category where ticket holders
can vote for their favorite by placing extra coins or cash in front of their preferred booth/recipe.
This event can be held in conjunction with another, like a carnival or auction.
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Why throw money away? Use it to build your playspace. Get your community in your recycling project by
having the public bring empty recyclables to school, to a community center or to a church.Take your loot
to a recycling center and reap the profits!
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Make sure recyclables are redeemable for cash in your state.
2. Recruit volunteers to collect items from different sites.
3. Recruit school, organizations, businesses, and houses of worship to join your efforts.
LOW
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Recycle bins
2. Prizes (if a contest)
s Helpful Hints:
15
•
•
•
MIDDLE
•
Give prizes to the top three collectors.
Choose a convenient and visible drop-off location (e.g. grocery store, post office, school, etc.).
Hold special weekend recycling events where volunteers pick up recyclable items from
households who cannot drop off their items.
Encourage a school to participate by charging an "entrance fee" of a recyclable item to a game,
dance or other popular event.
A great springtime activity! Plastic duckies are sold to the public, and then all released on a stretch of a
local river. First "ducky" to cross the finish line wins!
$
Don't live near a running river? That's ok! You can hold a Tennis Ball race. Just use tennis balls instead,
and release them down a nearby hill.
HIGH
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
Prep Steps:
1. Get support from authorities in the area to use the local river or hill for an afternoon.
2. Find a wholesale supplier of rubber duckies or balls.
3. Sell "Duckies" or balls to the public (Suggested price = $15 - 25)
4. Clearly mark duckies or balls with a permanent pen, so you'll be able to match it up with the winner!
5. All ducks or balls are released at the same time and the first one to cross the finish line wins a prize.
Materials:
1. Rubber duckies
2. Permanent markers
3. Loud speaker/megaphone
4. Prizes
s Helpful Hint:
This is a great event to pair with a food sale or festival.
101 GREAT IDEAS
110
SMAS
HING
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Cotton candy, balloons, carnival games. WooHoo! Have playspace committee members dress up like
clowns. Recruit vendors to sell their treats and donate a percentage of their sales to your project.
Carnivals can be a lot of work, but some communities thrive on them and make them annual fundraising
events.
Prep Steps:
1. Secure a date and location such as a school parking lot for the event.
2. Recruit vendors (games, food) to be a part of the event. Negotiate their donation with them.
3. Recruit parents/adults to help with the booths, such as the "Ring Toss", "Pick a Pencil from the
Haystack", "Design a Thumbprint", "Bars and Bells", "The Dunking Booth", etc.
4. Get prizes donated for the games.
5. Charge an admission fee or sell tickets that folks can use to play games and purchase food.
6. Secure portable toilets and trash cans.
$$$
HIGH
CHALLENGING
20+
Materials:
1. Booths and tables
3. Prizes
2.
4.
Games
Tickets
MIDDLE
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Make your own games instead of renting them. Card games are still popular, try black jack
•
•
without the money!
Contact local churches, chambers of commerce, and other community groups who may have
games that could be used at your event.
This can be an event that takes place inside and/or outside. If the entire event is outside, select
a rain date during your planning process.
The Girl Scouts sell cookies every year for a reason, it's very profitable! These days, fundraising product
companies produce almost anything for sales: from cookie dough to gift wrap. Research various
companies on the Web, or talk to other local fundraisers about their experiences. Determine which one
has a product that will appeal to your community and will give you the best deal. Then sell, sell, sell!
There are two types of selling programs: "take order" and "point-of-sale". With "take order" purchasers,
look through a list of items and place an order. They pay for their items when they are delivered. "Pointof-sale" doesn't require ordering. Folks get their product immediately.
Prep Steps:
1. Do a little research on fundraising companies.
2. Decide what you will sell.
3. Recruit your volunteer selling team.
4. Set a selling deadline.
5. Determine how items will be distributed and money collected.
Materials:
1. Items to sell
2.
$$$
LOW
MODERATE
15
Catalogs and order forms (should be provided by the company)
ONGOING
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Parents can sell products to co-workers.
•
•
Conducting this fundraiser just prior to the holiday season is very effective.
If children are going door to door, make sure they are accompanied by an adult.
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Have your community invest in something that is guaranteed to increase children's giggles and play
opportunities by buying a Playspace Share. Create certificates to give each "investor" that state how many
shares they own. This is a great way to connect your community to the playspace.
$$$
HIGH
CHALLENGING
15
ONGOING
Prep Steps:
1. Determine how many shares of the playspace to sell and at what cost.The more shares you have, the
lower the cost. One way to do this is by square footage. For example, multiply the length of your
playspace by the width. This will give you the square footage of your playspace. Then, determine a
price for each square foot or half square foot. So, if your playspace is 15 feet wide and 20 feet long, it
is 300 square feet. If you sell each square foot for $100, that's $30,000! What a way to reach your
fundraising goal. You may also want to consider auctioning off some square footage.
2. Create your Playspace Share campaign and determine how to sell shares.
3. Encourage community residents and businesses to buy shares.
4. Create certificates of ownership for shareholders.
Materials:
1. Share certificates
Hints:
s Helpful
•
After the playspace is built, involve your shareholders in maintenance and programming on the
•
•
playspace. Hold an annual "Shareholders' Meeting" to update them on your progress, solicit
their input, and celebrate the return on their investment.
The treasurer of your playspace committee should be responsible for recording the shares
purchased and the money received from each donor.
Develop a way to thank your donors, such as creating a permanent plaque on the playspace.
STORY !
One community raised over $5,000 by getting local businesses involved in this investment opportunity!
BRIGH
T!
!
E
C
A
P
PLAYS
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Everyone likes to shop. Why not put those shopping dollars to work for your community? Ask stores that
are centrally located such as on a main street or in a strip mall to participate in a "PlaySpace Shopping
Spree" and donate a percentage of sales from that day to your playspace project. Advertise your event
during the weeks leading up to the event.You may want to ask stores to place posters in their store fronts
advertising the donation day. On the big day, identify stores participating in your shopping spree by
placing balloons or signs in their door fronts.
Prep Steps:
1. Ask local businesses or mall to donate a percentage of a day's sales to the campaign. You may want
to consider asking for between 10 and 20 percent.
2. Determine which day to hold the "PlaySpace Shopping Spree."
3. Be sure to have participating stores sign a letter of agreement that indicates the date of participation
and the percentage of the day's sales they agreed to donate.
4. Create signs to place in storefronts during the days leading up to the event and other advertising
materials.
5. Offer door prizes and entertainment throughout the day.
$$
LOW
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
Materials:
1. Sponsorship letter
2. Letter of agreement
3. Balloons, posters, etc., to advertise your event
4. Door prizes
s Helpful Hint:
Consider asking stores to hold the "PlaySpace Shopping Spree" during the August "back to school"
shopping season.
S
!
E
TYL
S
I
V
!
N
IO
113
MEDIUM
MODERATE
MIDDLE
10:18 PM
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This is a great alternative or complement to a live auction! A silent auction allows you to offer more
auction items and moves more quickly than a live auction. Auction items are displayed on a table with a
bid sheet. Bidders walk around and write their bid on the bid sheet. At the time the auction closes, the
item goes to the person who has written down the highest bid.
$$$
15
4/28/2005
Prep Steps:
1. Collect donated items.
2. Decide on a date and location for the event.You may want to consider holding it in conjunction with
a larger event such as a dinner or dance.
3. Recruit volunteers to assist with this event.
Materials:
1. Auction Items
2. Bid sheets for each item
3. Pens to record bids
4. Tables
5. Credit card verification machine
6. List of items being auctioned
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
This event works best in conjunction with another event, i.e., a live auction, spaghetti dinner,
dance, etc.
The better the prizes, the bigger the donations!
Each item should have a starting bid amount. In addition, use bid increments on each item
(such at $5) so that the bids aren't increasing by pennies (See Sample Bid Sheet).
Decide in advance if people must be present to win. You can collect names and phone numbers
on the bid sheets if necessary.
Make sure you announce when the silent auction will be closing. Be sure to give people enough
time to record that last bid!
Once you announce the close of the silent auction, you can go around with a highlighter and
mark the final bid amount. This way, no one can come back and add their name after you have
closed the auction.
Be sure to plan your system for paying and collecting auction items prior to the event. Buyers
can pay first and then show a receipt when they go to pick-up the item at the display table. Or
you can pull all of the auction items off the display tables and have the items available at the
auction redemption area. If you have a lot of items, be sure you have enough volunteers to
handle the cashing out and redemption process so that people don't have to wait long.
TIP ! audience to potential prize donors.
New businesses frequently love to get their name out by donating good or services to a silent auction.Be sure to talk about your
101 GREAT IDEAS
114
GAMES!
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Children singing their favorite songs to support their new playpsace is sure to bring in donations. Have
each class or grade select a song they like to sing and make a CD with their songs.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Receive parents' permission to record their children singing songs.
2. Ask a recording studio or radio station to donate their space and time to record the children singing.
3. Ask a local electronic, music, or general merchandise store to donate CDs to make duplicates.
4. Recruit volunteers to help make the CDs, transcribe the lyrics, and sell them.
5. Determine how much the CDs will cost and where they will be sold.
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Blank CDs
2. Recording devices
3. Order forms
<10
Hints:
s Helpful
•
If you are unable to secure a professional studio, record the children singing in an insulated room
•
LOW
with a good microphone.
This would make a great fundraiser around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and at the
end of the school year.
MIDDLE
Can you carry a tune? Use it to help build your playspace! This is a great fundraiser for the holidays, bridal
showers, and birthday parties.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Recruit volunteers to deliver the singing telegrams.
2. Determine how much you will charge for the telegram.
3. Create an order form and process for collecting them. Also, decide how the telegrams will be
delivered.
Materials:
1. Order form
2. Advertising materials
3. Volunteers!
s
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
Helpful Hint:
Create a card to give each telegram recipient that describes your playspace project.
MIDDLE
TIP ! This one's a perfect Valentine's Day fundraiser!
!
G
SIN
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Get out your baseball bats and start batting practice. It's time to play ball! Find an area that has a baseball
diamond or a field large enough to hold multiple games. Create age categories and consider having
T-ball for younger children.
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Decide how to manage this fundraiser.Will all the games be played on the same day or over a couple
of weeks?
2. Secure a location for your event and determine how much to charge each participant.
3. Ask sporting goods stores and local baseball leagues and teams to donate equipment, including
baseballs, balls, bases, gloves, and a T-ball stand.
4. Set up a system for teams to sign up.
5. Recruit volunteers to help collect registration forms and referee games.
6. Create trophies or certificates for the winning teams, or ask businesses to donate items and/or gift
certificates to winners of the event.
LOW
EASY
15
Materials:
1. Team t-shirts
2. Bats, balls, bases, etc.
4. Prizes
MIDDLE
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Consider dividing the competition by age group.
•
Sell refreshments and snacks at the event to raise more money.
STORY ! fundraising event. They were also able to acquire support from their local councilperson and get "adopted" by the local
One community was able to raise $1,500 by bringing in local politicians and news celebrities to participate in this
news station affiliate for this and future projects!
Some businesses, particularly supermarkets, donate a percentage of sales from receipts that community
groups collect from that store. Ask stores in your community if they'll participate. Then, start collecting
receipts. You'll have your playspace in no time!
$$
Prep Steps:
1. Find a store that runs a receipt program.
2. Advertise your event throughout your community and determine how receipts will be collected.
3. Recruit volunteers to collect the receipts.
LOW
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Store receipts
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Create excitement by awarding a prize to the family with the largest collection of store receipts.
15
•
ONGOING
101 GREAT IDEAS
116
Ask the store to donate a prize or gift certificate to the winner.
Have a regular drop-off day and location. For example, every Friday at schools or after
religious services.
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Selling food is always a good way to raise funds. Consider selling subs at sporting events. Better yet, have
a three - foot sub sale on Super Bowl Sunday.
$
Prep Steps:
1. Ask a deli or grocery store to donate subs or sub ingredients.
2. Set a date and location for the sale.
3. Determine what to charge for each sub.
4. Recruit volunteers to make subs.
5. Take advance orders.
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Materials:
1. Bread, cold cuts, condiments
2. Plastic wrap and bags
3. Order forms
15
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
Make sure the food is properly refrigerated at all times.
Perfect for socials, meetings, during school games, or community events.
MIDDLE
What a great way to inform your community about your playspace. Place your playspace logo on T-shirts
or baseball caps. Don't have a logo yet? Hold a design community contest, or consider using a child's
drawing from Design Day.
Prep Steps:
1. Contact a local printer/screenshop and ask if they will donate the printing/screening
services. In return, you will provide advertising at the playspace build.
2. Search for a great deal on T-shirts. Your printer can probably give you some suggestions, or check
with other event organizers in your area.
3. Produce and sell your T-shirts.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Materials:
1. T-shirts
<10
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
•
A simple design with one or two colors is much cheaper than making a design with many colors.
Involve the children in sales.
Reserve a supply of T-shirts or caps to sell at the playspace build.
GROOVE
ONGOING
!
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Does the whole community attend your high school's football games or other sporting events and
competitions? Have a tailgate party and charge attendees a small fee. Hold your party prior to the game
or event. Consider barbequing. Nothing draws a crowd better than the smell of charcoal in the air!
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Prep Steps:
1. Choose a location for your event. A parking lot or grassy area will do.
2. Determine how and what to charge attendees.
3. Recruit volunteers to cook and manage the event.
4. Advertise beforehand and encourage folks to sign up beforehand so that you'll know how much
food to prepare.
5. Begin to prepare food a couple of hours before the event is scheduled to begin.
Materials:
1. Signs
3. Safety cones
5. Trash cans
<10
MIDDLE
2.
4.
Aprons
Food
FRESH!
Hint:
s Helpful
Combine this fundraiser with food sales (See Popcorn Sale #74 or Sub Sale #91)
Give your neighbors the opportunity to showcase their talent!
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
Prep Steps:
1. Determine where the talent show will take place. A school auditorium/gym, community hall, church
social area, or park district gym are all possibilities. If not, ask local banquet establishments if they will
donate their space for the event.
2. If your site does not provide sound or light equipment, ask a local electronics store to loan you
microphones, microphone stands, lights and speakers. Ask community members to donate a CD
player or tape player to accommodate individuals who need music.
3. Teachers, parents, and local celebrities are perfect candidates for talent shows. You may want to
consider talent try outs.
4. Recruit plenty of volunteers to help make the show run more smoothly.
5. Determine how much the tickets will cost and if tickets can be purchased in advance.
15
MIDDLE
Materials:
1. Tickets
2. Audio equipment (stereo, speakers, microphones)
3. Programs
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
Limit the number of talent participating in the show. If it runs too long, people will leave.
Consider selling the tickets in advance for one price, and at the door for a slightly higher price.
This will help with crowd control on the night of the event.
TIP !
If you have a lot of people who would like to perform the same type of act (like dancing to rock music or playing the same
instrument), combine them! Get all the dancers to pick one piece of music and make up a dance to it.
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This event is an interesting twist on your average auction! Ask local businesses and individuals to donate
a wide variety of talents and services, such as legal assistance, hair styling, a hand-made quilt, etc. to your
playspace auction. Don't forget asking personal trainers, babysitters, cooks, scrapbookers, musicians to
join in!
Prep Steps:
1. Identify volunteers who are willing to donate goods and services. Keep a comprehensive list.
2. Choose a date, time and location for your auction.
3. Print interesting flyers for each service, and don't forget bid sheets.
Materials:
1. Donated talents and services
2. Bid sheets
3. Auction locale
$
LOW
MODERATE
<10
s Helpful Hint:
This is a terrific event to hold in conjunction with another fundraiser, like a dinner or dance.
MIDDLE
Hasn't everyone waited tables at some point? If not, now is the perfect time to start! Find a restaurant
that's willing to work with you, and wait away!
$
Prep Steps:
1. Secure permission from a local restaurant to hold the fundraiser.
2. Recruit volunteers to serve as charity wait staff at a local restaurant.
MEDIUM
Materials:
1. Hats/T-shirts
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Ask local celebrities to participate in the event to generate more customers and media attention.
•
MODERATE
All volunteers should wear a hat, button, or T-shirt that denotes your project.
STORY !
<10
A local school let their students participate in this fundraiser and the students earned over $700. They also learned a lot
about the restaurant business!
MIDDLE
JUM
P!
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Children LOVE trucks, their flashing lights, big wheels, loud noises! Bring the excitement of real trucks to
children in your community. Families will appreciate the opportunity to let kids see and touch for
themselves!
$$
MEDIUM
CHALLENGING
Prep Steps:
1. Contact authorities and owners of interesting vehicles that would be willing to park their truck for a
few hours in a central spot on a weekend, and that would let children and families touch the inside
and outside of the truck. Think about fire engines, UPS or Fed Ex trucks, ambulances, a dump truck,
a post office truck, etc.
2. Determine how much you will charge for this event. Will you charge per truck, or a flat fee (our
recommendation)?
3. Create and distribute flyers advertising the truck touch.
4. Recruit volunteers to sit and monitor each truck.
20+
Materials:
1. Donated trucks
2. Flyers
MIDDLE
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
Invite an employee from companies to volunteer their time to demonstrate special features and
answer questions.
This is a great fundraiser to combine with a food sale.
STORY !
One rural KaBOOM! partner held this fundraiser,and raised more than $4,000 in a day. More than 800 children and parents
attended, each paying a $5 flat fee.
What is one man's trash is another man's treasure! Used books sales are a great way to raise cash and
help folks free up shelf space.
$$
MEDIUM
MODERATE
15
MIDDLE
Prep Steps:
1. Determine where the event will take place and recruit volunteers to help you with the event.
2. Request book donations from the community and local bookstores.
3. Organize books by category, create an inventory list, and price books.
4. Recruit book-loving volunteers to help run the sale.
Materials:
1. Tables
2. Used books
3. Bags and boxes
Hint:
s Helpful
Save bags and boxes for customers to carry their purchased books.
STORY ! purchased a book she thought was an antique, and had it appraised.The book proved to be a special edition worth $250,
A particular community was able to raise $1,000 using this fundraising idea and came across a bit of luck. A customer
all of which she donated to the playspace committee!
101 GREAT IDEAS
120
!
E
M
O
AWES
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Local businesses might be happy to help you out with this one, and it's a great way to spread the word
about your project to customers. Valet! Valet! Valet for Play!
Prep Steps:
1. Contact local restaurants and get permission to park cars for their customers for a night, preferably a
weekend. Ask if you can charge a small fee for doing this.
2. Recruit volunteers who have valid driver's licenses and are able to drive a car with a manual
transmission.
3. Create a sign at the parking lot entrance that states the valet fee will be donated to your project
fundraising goal.
Materials:
1. Cash box
3. Valet tickets (Two-part tickets)
2.
4.
Signs
Special vests or T-shirts
•
LOW
MODERATE
<10
Hints:
s Helpful
•
Pick special events such as fairs, local concerts, school plays, games, etc., where parking is in
•
$$
high demand.
Post a sign that states your group is not responsible for damage or theft in vehicles. Be sure to
check your local and insurance liability laws to make sure your organization and volunteer
drivers are covered.
If it is a large event, it may be helpful to have a police officer on-site.
ONGOING
STORY ! valet service at the games. They said yes, and the committee raised $1,200.
A school was having a great basketball season and the playspace committee approached the school to see if they could offer
Commercial vending machine companies are contracted to install different types of snack machines
(candy, soft drinks, etc.) at facilities like parks or recreational organizations. A specific percentage of the
gross profit from sales can be given to the sponsoring group. You may want to consider contracting a
machine that offers some healthy snacking options.
Prep Steps:
1. Discuss this option with the landowner or site manager.
2. Call a few vending companies to determine who can offer you the best deal.
3. Assign one staff member or an adult from the community to negotiate the agreement with the
vending company. This person should also keep a tally of monthly profits.
4. Keep in mind that most companies will want a commitment of at least 3 to 6 months.
5. Be sure to post a sign near the vending machine to inform folks that a percentage of the money will
go toward your playspace build.
$$
LOW
MODERATE
<10
Materials:
1. A location at a suitable facility
s Helpful Hints:
•
•
BEGINNING
Try to negotiate the very best deal you can with the vendor.
Be sensitive to your community's opinion regarding certain kinds of beverages or snacks.
TIP ! purchase helps your project.
Advertise your "Soda for Slides", "Soda for a Skatepark", or "Candy for Construction" near the machine! Let people know their
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Who knew chicken wings could be so popular and profitable! Yum! Invite local restaurants to enter the
Wing Fling. This is a competition that seeks to award the restaurant with the best wings in town.
$$
LOW
MODERATE
<10
END
Prep Steps:
1. Determine where the event will take place and take note of the number of electrical outlets.
2. Request a donation (or price break) of paper plates, napkins, cups, and beverages from your local
grocery store. Better yet, ask participating restaurants if they have connections to vendors who
might donate paper products.
3. Recruit judges (celebrities, athletes, chefs) for the competition.
4. Ask your local trophy company to create a plaque or trophy for the winning restaurant and
runner-up.
5. Sell tickets to the event. For the price of admission, attendees can sample the wings.
Materials:
1. Tickets
2. Tables
3. Garbage bags and cans
4. Paper plates
5. Paper towels
6. Napkins
7. Cups
8. Trophy
Hint:
s Helpful
Request that the restaurants bring their own warmers and servers.
STORY !
One community raised $5,300 and had so much fun they are thinking about starting a yearly Wing Fling Festival!
J
101 GREAT IDEAS
122
SMIL
!
Y
O
FUN!
ES!
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As you know, there are many, many items that factor into a community playspace budget. When
creating yours, it's important that you cover all possible bases…you don't want your committee
members reaching into their own pockets for unforeseen costs! This guide will explain each of
the budget items included in your Building a Budget Worksheets. It's a long list, but don't worry,
not all of these items will be relevant to your project, and most of them can be donated!
Play-Equipment Company Fees & Expenses
Design Day Fees: Any fees and expenses paid to your play-equipment company for your
representative's time, travel, lodging, etc., specifically for Design Day.
Design Production Fees: Any fees paid to your play-equipment company for developing and/
or revising your playspace design.
Play Equipment and Materials: Physical pieces purchased from your play-equipment
company, including any loose-fill surfacing containment system and permanent safety signs.
Shipping and Handling: Costs for shipping play equipment and any hardware, tools, etc., from
the play-equipment company to your site.
Sales Tax: Taxes for play equipment and shipping charges. (Some states charge a sales tax on
shipping and handling fees.)
Site Preparation/Installation Fees and Expenses: Labor costs and out-of-pocket expenses
(including travel/lodging) for your company representative and/or installer to supervise site
preparation and installation of the playspace.
Surfacing Company Fees & Expenses
Safety Surfacing & Materials: Surfacing materials (loose-fill or unitary) purchased from your
vendor. May include liners, drainage systems, and other supporting materials.
Shipping and Handling: Costs for shipping surfacing to your site.
Sales Tax: Taxes for surfacing materials and shipping charges.
Installation Fees and Expenses: Labor costs and out-of-pocket expenses (including travel/
lodging) for professional installation of the surfacing. Generally necessary only for poured-inplace rubber surfacing.
Site Preparation
Site preparation is an important variable in playspace budgets, and careful planning can reduce
costs considerably. You may need to consult with your play-equipment company
representative or a local construction company to determine accurate price estimates for your
area. Note that these items are separate from pre-build site prep and may include any of the
following:
Site Leveling/Grading: Machinery (and therefore skilled operators) may be required to level an
uneven site. Alternately, backfill can be brought in to build up the site.
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Tearing Up Asphalt/Concrete: Depending on your site and the kind of safety surfacing you
choose, you may need to remove a concrete or asphalt slab. Professionals usually do this work.
Pouring a Concrete Slab: If you choose a unitary fill surfacing (e.g., poured-in-place rubber)
and do not have a suitable base such as concrete, crushed stone or asphalt, you will have to hire
professionals to pour a concrete slab.
Removal of Old Play Equipment: If your play-equipment representative or other safety
inspector has determined that your old play equipment is unsafe, it will have to be properly
removed and disposed of. Don't forget to remove the concrete anchors beneath the surface!
Drainage/Irrigation: Depending on your site and your plans for landscaping, you may have to
prepare a drainage or irrigation system. Consult with your surfacing vendor.
Digging Holes:
For equipment that is not surface mount (bolted to a
concrete/asphalt/crushed stone surface), you will need to dig holes for the playground posts. If
you are hiring a professional installer, he/she will probably supervise this process; include those
fees and expenses under Site Preparation/Installation Fees, above. If you choose to dig the
holes on your own, a local construction company may be able to help you.
Administration & Promotion
Meeting Space: You may want to rent large spaces or conference rooms for committee and
public meetings.
Office Supplies: Pens, paper, chalk, postage and other materials throughout the project. May
also include a computer, overhead projector and/or microphone for meetings and
presentations.
Copies of Committee Materials: For distribution of Team Workbooks, volunteer surveys,
meeting agendas, forms, etc. These can really add up!
Special Cards: Used to invite special VIPs or media to your build, or as thank you's to donors
and volunteers.
T-Shirts: Used to raise funds, advertise your project, thank volunteers and recognize sponsors.
Build Day Program: A formal program for your Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony adds a touch of
class; it also makes for a great souvenir!
Photography/Video: This includes the costs of film, developing, and possibly hiring a
professional photographer/videographer. You might send photos as thank you's, post them on
community bulletin boards, or get your local public-access station to show a video of your build.
Sponsor Recognition Banner: Show and tell your playspace sponsors how thankful you are
for their support, and advertise their products and/or services to the community.
Permanent Signs: Posting playspace rules is an important part of long-term safety and
maintenance. A permanent sign can also tell the story of how your project happened and who
made it happen. (If you purchase a sign from your play-equipment company, include this item
in your equipment costs.)
Other Services: May include professional accounting, legal and/or insurance services.
Food
Meeting Refreshments: Snacks and drinks for committee and town meetings.
Design Day Refreshments: Snacks/drinks for children and their parents.
Build Day Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks (especially water!) for build participants.
Includes meals and snacks for children taking part in activities at the build site.
Food-Service Supplies: Tablecloths and silverware, plates, serving utensils, garbage bags and
clean-up supplies.
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Children's/Youth Activities
Childcare: Includes baby-sitting services during committee and town meetings.
Design Day Supplies: Includes paper and crayons for drawing ideal playspaces.
Children's Build Day Supplies: Might include games, name tags, craft supplies, etc.
Safety
Safety Curriculum Materials: Give children a lesson in playspace safety! May include
videotapes, books, drawing materials, printing costs, etc.
First-Aid Provider: A nurse or other medical professional should be on hand during the build.
Safety Materials: May include work gloves, hard hats, back braces, goggles, masks, ear plugs,
first-aid kits, sunscreen, skill-level name tags and caution tape.
Volunteer-Leader Vests: To distinguish Safety Coordinators, Build Captains and Point People.
Build Day Logistics
Tents, Tables and Chairs: For any of the following: food service, volunteer/media registration,
tool distribution, information/first-aid and water stations. On sunny days, tents give volunteers
a cool resting place. Larger tents may be necessary for assembly and construction of playspace
components in bad weather.
Microphones/Speakers: For amplifying announcements, speeches and music.
Water Source: Hoses, buckets and other items for bringing water to the site. (Necessary for
cement mixing, clean-up of tools and equipment, etc.)
Electric Hook-up: Generators and/or special temporary electrical boxes necessary to bring
electrical power to the site for power tools, etc.
Large Commercial Dumpster: For scrap materials, shipping materials, trash and any old play
equipment.
Port-a-Potties: If there is no restroom available for volunteers at the site, consider renting a
port-a-potty.
Security: On-site security to watch over the site at night during the preparation and installation
of your playspace.
Build Insurance Coverage: This is to protect you and your organization in case one of your
volunteers is injured in a Build Day accident. Your play-equipment company may provide this.
Build Tools & Materials
Construction Tools: Hand tools and power tools for playspace and side-project assembly, in
addition to saw horses, wheelbarrows, and tarps for moving loose-fill surfacing/covering dry
cement. See a sample tool list in the Construction Team Workbook. Shipping/delivery costs for
these tools may also be a factor.
Construction Materials: May include cement, temporary fencing, duct tape, cleaning solvents,
trash bags, marking paint and tube forms (for supporting post holes). Include shipping and/or
delivery costs if applicable.
Tool Van or Trailer: Storage for tools and materials during the project; choose a vehicle (or
shed) with doors that lock.
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Skilled Operators: Skilled personnel to operate heavy machinery such as a boom-auger,
compact track loader, forklift and/or backhoe. (For site preparation.)
Additional Tools & Materials for Play Environment Side Projects: These are entirely
dependent upon your space, budget, involvement and interests. The examples below are a tiny
sampling of possible projects; feel free to create your own!
Landscaping: Trees, shrubs, or plants add beauty and shade to your playspace area.
Wooden Benches: These encourage adult supervision and socialization.
You'll need lumber, cutting tools, a drill and extra hardware.
Shade Structures: Protect your kids from the sun! Canopies can use canvas stretched over
a wood frame, or a traditional shingle construction. Allow six feet of clearance over the
play equipment.
Lighting: Install new lighting fixtures or wiring for added safety.
Fencing: Meant for safety purposes. May include a lockable gate to close the playspace
after dark.
Murals/Mosaics/Maps: Decorate nearby walls, fences, or pavement; this project can
involve children and local artists. Paintings and mosaics are an inexpensive way to add
beauty, culture and educational components to your play area.
Gardens: Bring out hobbyists and older folks with butterfly, vegetable, herb and/or flower
gardens. Can also be integrated into school science lessons.
Other: There are endless ways to promote creativity, recreation, education and beauty in
your playspace!
Maintenance Fund
Playspaces need continued investment to stay safe and fun. This fund will be used to clean the
playspace, replenish safety surfacing, commission annual inspections, and fix or repair broken
equipment. We recommend including maintenance funds in your overall project budget NOW
because you will be putting so much time and effort into raising money for your playspace. Add
a small amount (15% of your play-equipment cost) for continued maintenance and your
playspace will be guaranteed a longer life; you also won't have to ask for money for a while!
Sub-Total/Total Expenses
Add up all of your cost estimates to arrive at your Sub-Total. When estimating your budget, add
a buffer of 5% in case of price changes or emergency supply needs. (To do this, multiply the subtotal by 1.05.) You now have your Total Expenses. This is how much money you need to raise!
The major sources of funding for community-build projects are outlined below. When creating
your initial budget, it's a good idea to set individual goals for each type of fundraising. Small,
tangible goals are a great motivator, and dividing up the big task of fundraising may help you
delegate work among your team members. Furthermore, as donations come in you'll want to
track each type of revenue separately; this will help you evaluate your successes and adjust your
fundraising strategy accordingly. Refer to the KaBOOM! Community FUNdraising Guide for
detailed information on funding sources.
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Business Support
Local, regional and national businesses that operate in your area may be willing to donate
money, materials and/or services to your project. They are a great asset, and their support sends
a strong message to the whole community. Tailor your approach to businesses' size and history
of giving. Larger corporations typically have formalized programs for supporting community
projects, sometimes requiring a grant application. Smaller businesses may respond to direct
requests for support, preferably through a friend or personal contact. Businesses of all sizes
often request a certain level of recognition and publicity in return for their support. This
mutually-beneficial partnership is more commonly known as "corporate sponsorship," and it's
one of the best ways to raise money for your project.
Note: "In-kind" donations of materials and services are just as important as cash! See "In-Kind
Donations" for information on recording them as revenue.
Government & Foundation Grants
Your city or county government, school board and/or parks department may be able to
contribute a significant amount to your playspace fund. Most communities also have access to
regional and local grant-making foundations that support citizen initiatives (e.g., the Anytown
Community Foundation). Consult your library, mayor's office, the Internet, and your local United
Way to find out which organizations and agencies operate in your area. Be aware: the grant
application process can be quite intensive and may take six months to a year, so start early and
focus on those organizations whose missions and giving patterns are a good fit with your
project.
Non-Profits/ Local Religious and Community Organizations
These include the local charities that you're probably most familiar with, churches, temples, and
service clubs such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions and Junior League. Because these groups are
organized around community service, they often contribute substantial amounts to playspace
projects. Even if your local chapters or congregations can't give money, you might approach
them about donating materials and/or property, co-hosting fundraisers, or recruiting
volunteers among their members.
PlaySpace Property Owner
Perhaps you already own the space where your playspace will be built. If not, are the owners of
your playspace property actively involved in your project? They should be! Build a
collaborative relationship and encourage them to "invest" in the space in a meaningful way,
after all, a new playspace usually raises the property value significantly!
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Individual Donors
This refers to direct contributions from an individual, family, or local organization, and it is the
major source of fundraising nationwide. Cash donations are generally solicited through letterwriting campaigns, phone calls, door-to-door canvassing, or Web sites. You'll increase your
chances for success if you offer people something tangible for their money, for instance, having
their names engraved on a memorial brick or a permanent playspace plaque. You can also
attach a dollar value to various building materials such as a box of bolts, wood for a bench, a
monkey bar or a swing. Or calculate how much your playspace will cost per child! People will
then be "buying" a piece of the playspace, and they'll feel a lasting sense of pride and
attachment.Individual donors are also an important source of talent, materials and services for
your project. Use town meetings, fundraising events and direct-request campaigns to solicit
these "individual donations" and raise the level of involvement in your community.
In-KKind Donations
Think beyond dollars and cents, most of the items you need for your project can be
donated directly! "In-kind donations" might include food, tools, construction materials,
babysitting, office supplies, craft supplies, professional services…almost everything on
your expense sheet! Soliciting these donations is a great way to involve different segments
of your community while meeting your project needs.
Recording in-kind donations in your budget can be a bit tricky. First, ask yourself this simple
question: If we hadn't received this item as a donation, would we need to buy it? If the
answer is no, then the item does not reduce your overall project costs. It's still great to have!
Record the item along with its approximate value under "Miscellaneous Donations." These
items should not count toward fulfilling your project "thermometer" or other fundraising
measures, but remember that it's important to thank and recognize all donors. They
believe in your project, and they may continue to be a valuable resource in the future!
If your answer to the above question is yes (you would need to buy the item) then the
donation counts as fundraising revenue. Great! The next step is recording the item's cash
value. (You'll need this to balance your budget.) If the item comes from a business, this
should be fairly straightforward. If you're dealing with an individual donation, such as your
neighbor's fruit salad or a teenager's babysitting hours, locate the item on your expenses
worksheet. Which project costs are covered by the donation? How much did you budget
for those costs? Is the need now filled, or do you still need to raise money in that area?
Based on these considerations, estimate the item's value, and enter that number under
"Actual Cost" (Expenses) and "Actual Cash Amount" (Revenue).
You've got the hang of it…now get out there and tell everyone to "Be Kind, Give In Kind!"
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Grassroots Fundraising/Special Events
Car wash! Silent Auction! Softball Tournament! All of your classic community fundraisers fall
under this category, and they rely on the hard work, talents and generosity of ordinary folks. You
might plan special holiday events, set up a booth at the county fair, or sell a company's products
and retain a portion of the profits (check the Internet for formal programs). There are countless
examples, and whether you choose to auction off a year's supply of homemade cookies or
convince your school principal to kiss a pig, grassroots fundraisers will make a lasting
impression in your community. They are also the best way to provide "investment"
opportunities to a large number of people. You'll be able to raise awareness, recruit volunteers
and solicit donations both large and small. Don't forget to involve children as much as
possible…grassroots campaigns turn fundraising into FUNdraising! (See the KaBOOM!
Community FUNdraising Guide for dozens of great ideas.)
Note! In order to pull off exciting fundraisers, you may need to purchase extra food, prizes, child
care, promotional flyers and other materials. Because it's difficult to predict these expenses
when creating your overall project budget, your Fundraising Captain should create a minibudget for each major fundraiser. Add up everything you spend preparing for the fundraiser,
and subtract that number from how much money you bring in. This will give you your overall
revenue for the event. It's easy:
=
What You Made
What You Spent
Your Revenue!
Souvenirs
This includes profits from selling playspace T-shirts, calendars, cookbooks, or any other locallymade products that help support your project. Again, remember to subtract your production
expenses before entering the revenue in your budget worksheet!
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Estimate your project costs and record actual expenditures with this budget worksheet.
Remember that not all of the items will be necessary for your particular playspace build, and
most of these items can be obtained as in-kind donations. This worksheet will help you set
fundraising goals, and it will prevent any hidden costs from popping up later in your project.
How to Use This Worksheet:
Item
For explanations of individual items, refer to the Budget Items guide. Cross out those items not
relevant to your project!
Potential In-Kind (Yes/No)
If you think someone in your community might donate this item directly to your project, write
"yes." This will help you identify potential cost-cutting areas. In Step 2, you'll determine the
actual value of such donations.
Potential Donor's Name
If you wrote "yes" under potential in-kind, record the name(s) of people you think might donate
the item.
Cost Estimate
Complete this column by obtaining direct quotes from your play-equipment company,
surfacing vendor, local contractors and/or local merchants. Remember to multiply the cost per
item by the quantity of that particular item that is needed.
Actual Cost
In this column, record how much you actually spend on each item. If you receive an in-kind
donation for this item, record its dollar value here. (See "In-Kind Donations")
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Expenses Sub-Totals:
Estimated
Actual
Play-Equipment Company Fees & Expenses:
Surfacing Company Fees & Expenses:
Site Preparation:
Administration & Promotion:
Food:
Children's Activities:
Safety:
Build Day Logistics:
Build Day Tools & Materials:
Maintenance Fund:
+
Expenses Sub-Total:
=
5% General Buffer
Total Expenses:
x 1.05
=
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Your project expenses may seem daunting, but you can do it! Setting concrete goals is the first
step. Below you'll estimate and then record how much revenue your project receives from each
type of fundraising.
How to Use This Worksheet:
For an explanation of each type of fundraising, see the Budget Items guide.
Potential Cash Donors (and Fundraising Events)
This information can come from your community asset map or the suggestions of your
planning committee. If you're in the early brainstorming stages, you might want to list types of
donors rather than individual names. Examples include restaurants, hardware stores and local
utilities; or alumni, neighbors and co-workers. Alternately, you might list different types of
fundraisers, e.g. letter-writing, phone bank, door-to-door, etc.
Estimated Cash Amount
This is a big moment…it's time to set those all-important fundraising goals. (If you have no idea
what the proper figures might be, it may be time to go back and do some more research in your
community. What have individuals and businesses donated in the past, and to what type of
projects?) You need to be realistic, but you also need to meet your project fundraising goal! The
total of all your estimates should add up to your total project expenses. Brace yourself for the
tough job ahead and remember to ask for more than you expect to receive! Remember: You'll
want to publicize your overall fundraising goal as much as possible, but keep these estimates
between you and your Team Captains.
Actual Cash Donors
The money is flowing in! Record the source of your donations here.
Actual Cash Amount
Record cash donations, profits from events and souvenir sales, and certain types of in-kind
donations here. Remember that if you incur extra expenses while preparing for fundraising
events or souvenir sales, you'll need to subtract those expenses from your profits. Also, some
in-kind donations should not be recorded as cash revenue (i.e. those items that were not part
of your original budget). For more information on in-kind revenue, see the Budget Items guide.
APPENDIX
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Business Support
Estimated Total:
Actual Total:
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Government & Foundation Grants
Estimated Total:
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Actual Total:
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Non-Profits/Religious & Community Organizations
Estimated Total:
Actual Total:
PlaySpace Property Owner
Estimated Total:
Actual Total:
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Individual Donors
Estimated Total:
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Actual Total:
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Grassroots Fundraising/Special Events
Estimated Total:
Actual Total:
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Souvenirs
Estimated Total:
APPENDIX
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Actual Total:
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Miscellaneous Donations
Estimated Total:
Revenue Sub-Totals:
Actual Total:
Estimated
Actual
Business Support:
Government & Foundation Grants:
Non-Profits
PlaySpace Property Owner:
Individual Donors:
Grassroots Fundraising/ Special Events:
Souvenirs:
In-Kind Donations:
+
Total Expenses:
=
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Whether you're creating a projected budget or tallying your fundraising results in Mile 6, this
is the moment of truth! Do you have a balanced budget? Subtract your revenue from your
expenses to find out…
Estimated
Actual
Playspace Expenses (from Step 1)
Playspace Revenue (from Step 2)
-
-
The Bottom Line
=
=
When you subtract revenue from expenses, your bottom line should be zero. If your expenses
are greater than your revenue, you need to raise more money. If your revenue is greater than
expenses, congratulations! Add those extra dollars to your playspace maintenance fund.
When planning large community fundraising events, you may find yourself purchasing extra
materials, food, promotional flyers, child care ... the list goes on and on. Sometimes you have
to spend money to make money! Because these expenses are difficult to predict, it's a good
idea to create a mini-budget for each major fundraiser. Planning expenses in advance will
also help you determine how much money needs to be raised to make the event worthwhile.
This, in turn, will help you decide how many people to invite, how much to charge, etc. Use
this worksheet to plan for success!
Event Name:
Event Date:
Person Responsible:
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Expenses
Total Expenses:
Estimated Profits
Total Estimated Profits:
Total Actual Profits:
- Total Expenses:
= Total Revenue:
(Enter Total Revenue in your Project Budget)
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March 30, 2005
Name
Company
Street or PO Box
City, State, ZIP Code
Dear Mr. Smith:
An exciting project is about to transform the community between Jane and Cliff streets. In just
one day, on July 15, 2005, Project Playground will transform a barren, empty lot into a paradise
for children. To make this project happen, we are reaching out for support to as many
individuals and businesses in our community as we possibly can.
Playgrounds produce healthy, imaginative, active and social children. In short, playgrounds
provide a space for children to learn and grow. A community-built playground does much more
than that, however. Community-built projects bring together neighbors, capitalize on assets
instead of needs and build stronger, more vibrant communities. Our project involves the entire
community, from children to corporations, in the planning and building of this dream
playspace. On Build Day alone, we expect more than 200 volunteers to join together for eight
hours of building, fellowship and fun!
We are seeking financial contributions, and would be more than happy to set up a meeting with
you to further discuss the benefits of supporting a community-built playground project. If you
are unable to make a financial contribution to the project at this time, we'd love to work with
you on donating goods or services. We're in need of a variety of products and skills. Finally, we
welcome you and your employees' involvement in the project. We are looking for many kinds
of volunteers, from skilled to unskilled, young and old. Your investment of time, products or
services will have positive repercussions in our community for years to come.
I will call you soon to see how you and your company can be involved.
Thanks for helping make children's dreams a reality.
Sincerely,
Playground Paul
Project Playground Co-chair
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HELP OUR COMMUNITY BUILD A PLAYGROUND!
INTRODUCTION
For the past several months, Sponsor 1, Project Playground, and volunteer community members
have been working together to create a new safe place for children to learn, grow, and develop
a positive sense of self. Above and beyond a new community-built playground, we are creating
a structure for broad-based community participation. Our strategies serve as catalysts for longterm community investment. We know that by building a playground together, our community
will benefit from the teamwork and sense of ownership involved in the project.
On August 16 in Anytown, the entire community will be behind the construction of a new
playground; an old-fashioned "barn-raising" will create this much-needed space for play! The
project will serve three goals:
1) Bring the entire community together.
2) Build a playground.
3) Create a safe space for children and families to gather.
Thus far, our project has been funded by caring community members and through the support
of organizations as diverse as Nonprofit 1, Sponsor 1, and Sponsor 2. Every committee involved
in the planning process, from the food committee to the fundraising committee, takes into
consideration the well-being of our community's children in every decision made. Our diversity
in terms of agencies, ages, and neighborhoods contributes to the reality that grassroots efforts
are at the heart of any movement to create a stronger and more unified city.
THE PROJECT
Beginning April 24, the entire community will convene for the playground Design Day. Children
will submit their dream playground drawings to a playground designer who will then
incorporate their ideas into the final structure. Adults will have the opportunity to ask questions
and volunteer to play an integral part in the playground building process. In August, at the
actual Playground Build, the community will unite again for a day of drilling, hammering,
painting, and landscaping. During the Build, the children will have activities planned specifically
for them, and the adults will work together with shovels, wrenches, and screwdrivers to
assemble the play structure. Everyone will gather for lunch provided by the food committee
and snacks will be available throughout the day.
The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the completion of the Build will be the highlight of the
project. This will give our donors, community leaders, and children the opportunity to publicly
thank the greater community for their help in developing and producing a play space where we
can all gather for fun activities.
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PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU
Any Business USA can help! Never before has a project been founded on the diverse and
grassroots support of local agencies working alongside of other community members. Our
community has the rare opportunity to join together and make a positive difference in the lives
of children. This project needs a corporation as rooted in the city as Any Business USA to make
it possible. We are requesting a tax-deductible donation of $3,000-$5,000 to help underwrite
the costs of the playground. In exchange, Any Business USA will be represented alongside our
other sponsors on T-shirts, Build Day banners, and on a permanent playground plaque which
will be designed by the children. Finally, we invite your employees to join us in our planning
and/or on Build Day!
We invite you to our planning meetings to watch our idealism at work. My co-chair and I are
more than happy to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the project, and the
possibility of sponsorship. We know that the playground will not only be a safe space for
children to learn and grow, but the process will act as a catalyst for long-term community
investment, participation, and ownership. We need a partner, a friend, and an ally like Any
Business USA to build beside us, as we will all benefit from the well-being of our children.
THE BUDGET
Below is our approximate project budget. If a financial contribution is not possible, we would
welcome your considering an in-kind gift of products or services aligned with the needs below.
Tools/Materials
Play Equipment
Rental Tools
Skilled Operators
$30,000
Site Improvement
Landscaping
Fencing
Water Access
$3,000
Production Costs
Security
Tents
Port-a-Potties
$2,000
146
$2,000
Maintenance Fund
$5,000
Surfacing Replenishment
Repairs
Painting
Advertisement
$1,500
and Administration
Promotional Flyers
Banners
Sponsor Recognition Banner
APPENDIX
Food/Drink
Breakfast/Coffee
Lunch
Snacks
Beverages
4/26/2005
1:23 PM
Page 147
147
4/26/2005
1:23 PM
Page 148
(Printed on your organization or project letterhead)
{Date}
{Organization Contact}
{Contact's Title}
{Organization}
{Organization Address}
{City, State Zip}
Dear {Organization Contact},
You and I have talked about my work with {Insert Project/Organization Name}, and I have
appreciated your support over the years for our various projects. We are now entering one of
our most exciting ventures yet, a community-built playspace project that will provide a safe
outdoor place to play for the center's 450 children. The total budget for the project is
approximately $55,000 and we've already raised $30,000!
I am hoping you will consider a major gift to this project.We are looking for gifts in the range of
$2,000, although gifts of all sizes are needed.
I don't expect you to decide based on this letter, but I'd like to invite you to meet to learn more
about the project and ways your organization can be involved. I will call you in a few days to see
when we can get together.
Sincerely,
Paul PlaySpace
APPENDIX
148
4/26/2005
1:23 PM
Page 149
Giving Area
How PlaySpace Project Relates to the Area
Child Development
Playgrounds are a critical component of a child's development.
Through play experiences, children gain information about
themselves, their bodies, their peers and their environment.
Play develops increasingly complex behavior and
understanding, thus preparing children to function eventually
as competent adults. In addition, a community playspace
provides a meeting area where parents and adults can gather,
and strengthen adult relationships that successful parents need.
Community Development
Community-built playspaces require an intense degree of
community involvement because the community must plan,
design and build the playspace. The KaBOOM! planning
committee structure can be utilized for many future
community-driven initiatives.
Neighborhood Development The KaBOOM! model is grounded in an asset-based approach
to community development, meaning that a neighborhood's
assets are just as important as its needs. Community-built
playspace encourages neighbors to come together for a
common cause.
Child/Youth Services
Playgrounds are a critical component of a child's development.
Through play experiences, children gain information about
themselves, their bodies, their peers and their environment.
Play develops increasingly complex behavior and
understanding, thus preparing children to function eventually
as competent adults.
Playgrounds provide a positive activity for children and greatly
enhance the play opportunities of children at day care centers,
parks, schools, and community centers.
Recreation, Parks/Playground A community-built playspace is much more than the land or
park, as it involves community members in the involvement in
the entire planning, design, and construction of the project.
Based on funding, the project could include planters, benches,
sandboxes, gazebos, murals, music, and other elements that
will enhance the overall play environment.
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Page 150
(Fill out one worksheet for each foundation contacted)
BASIC INFORMATION:
Foundation Name:
Address (include City, State, and Zip):
Contact Person & Title:
Deadline Date for Turning in Application:
Date They Will Inform You of Acceptance/Rejection:
Physical Documents Required
Guidelines
Application
Annual Report
Deadlines
Obtained (Y/N)

METHOD OF APPROACH:
Make sure you understand the foundation's procedures for being contacted.
Method
Formal letter of inquiry
Pre-application letter
Other
Required? (Y/N)

ASSESSMENT OF FOUNDATION'S GIVING AREA(S) AND YOUR PROJECT:
It is critical to understand the giving area(s) of the foundation and how it corresponds to your
playground project.
Giving area
APPENDIX
150
How does the area correspond to your project?
4/26/2005
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Page 151
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
List all of the items required by the foundation to support your application (this can be found
in the application once it is received).
Obtained (Y)
Items Required

Brief history of the organization

Description of current programs

Identification of the population that the organization serves (i.e., socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, age, physically/mentally
challenged and language spoken)

Statistics: Number of families/youth the playspace will serve, and
number of volunteers involved in the design, planning, and building

Staff descriptions (job descriptions, ethnic and age breakdown)

Mission and/or vision statement

Current board list

Description of the playspace project and the needs it will address

Description of the evaluation process of the playspace project

Financial statement (audited statements preferred)

Itemized use of funds requested

Current year's operating budget

Listing of other sources of funding

Proof of 501c3 status (yours or your fiscal agent)
151
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6:45 AM
Page 152
TIMELINE
Develop a calendar to follow in order to complete the application by the deadline date. Use a
format similar to the one below.
Task to complete
APPENDIX
152
Date to be completed by
Notes
4/26/2005
1:23 PM
Page 153
{Date}
{Organization Contact}
{Contact's Title}
{Organization}
{Organization Address}
{City, State Zip}
Dear {Contact},
I'm writing to get your initial response to a potential funding opportunity in {city} for the
{funding organization}. {Insert your organization's name} has a long-standing commitment to
helping the youth we serve by offering quality daycare and innovative after school programs
for older children. For years, our children have had no safe place to play outdoors and we are
excited to be launching a community-build playspace project. This playspace will not only
serve the 450 children enrolled in our programs, but will also be open to the wider community.
Background on Our Agency
{Paragraph on your agency and why a playspace is a crucial component of your programming.}
Project Description
{1-2 paragraphs summarizing your project.}
{List relevant funding priorities and/or ways the program meets the objectives of the funder.}
Funding Request
We request {dollars} from the {funding organization} to support this crucial project. Funds
provided by the {funding organization} will be used to purchase new playground equipment.
This playspace will serve over {number of youth} and will engage {insert number of volunteers}.
We appreciate your consideration in this important project. We know this project will help us
have a greater impact on the youth, {insert other appropriate constituencies (schools, parents,
families, etc.)}, and communities we serve. Please do not hesitate to contact me at {insert
contact information} with any questions or comments. We look forward to working with your
organization.
Sincerely,
{Name}
{Title/Position}
153
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Page 154
Note: The suggested number of pages per section is included, but is only intended as a guideline.
Some foundations will specify their own page number rules.
Executive
Summary/Abstract
"Snapshot" description of the entire project/
summary of proposal
1 page
Statement of Need
Explain the "why" of the project
2 pages
Project Description
Nuts and bolts of your playspace project.
Should include an explanation of the project
(with sufficient technical background), a
statement of objectives, methodology, and
evaluation measures
3-5 pages
Budget
Financial description of project
1 page
Conclusion
Summary of main points, reinforcement of
project's outcomes
1/2 page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Unquestionably, this is the most important page of your proposal. The executive summary is
where you lay out the framework of your proposal and give a rough sketch of the project. The
summary is a "sales" document, and must convince a potential funder to consider your project
for support. Funders, like everyone else, are very busy people and may not read past the first
page.
Here's an outline KaBOOM! recommends:
•
•
•
•
APPENDIX
154
Problem: In one paragraph, summarize the need for a playspace in your community.
Solution: In one paragraph, introduce your community-built playspace plan. Include
when, how, and where it will take place. Who will benefit, and how long will it operate?
Who will be responsible for maintenance?
Funding requirements: Explain what you would use the funds for, and briefly state how
the playspace will be maintained in the future. This is important, because no one likes
to give money to a project that is not sustainable over time.
Organization/People: Who will organize and carry out this project? If a nonprofit
partner is involved, what is their purpose and mission? How does this fit in with the
playspace? What role will volunteers have, and where will they come from?
4/26/2005
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Page 155
STATEMENT OF NEED
This compelling statement will identify the social/environmental/economic problem that your
playspace project will alleviate. This is your opportunity to educate the reader about the issues
at hand by presenting facts and evidence to support your project. Don't confuse the length of
your statement of need with the degree of need; a few concise paragraphs may be sufficient.
There are a few questions you should consider in writing a statement of need:
Which facts or statistics can you use to support the need for a new playspace in your area?
• Poll teachers/parents and ask for number of injuries recently incurred by children on an
existing playground.
• Use national statistics on playground safety.
• Count the number of playgrounds within a certain radius of your proposed site? Do any
exist? If so, how many?
• How old are the existing playspaces?
• How many youth live in the area and would benefit from your playspace project?
How bad is it?
Be sure to give the reader hope. You want to paint a desperate picture that will move a funder
to action, yet create a sense of hope. The reader must feel as though your situation is
manageable and that there is a way to solve, or at least lessen, the problem.
Is it reasonable to portray the need as acute?
Don't expect the funder to pay more attention to your proposal than another because you
believe your situation is worse. Be honest, it's not worth overstating. Make sure any statement
you make is balanced and fair.
Can your project serve as a model?
YES!! That's a great thing about a community build. This model easily can be replicated for a
number of similar projects. Once the community builds a playspace in a day, they will be moved
to act quickly for a similar cause.
Does your project address a particular problem differently or better than other, similar projects?
The benefits of a community build are endless: increased confidence, development of new skills
for volunteers, opportunity for team-building, corporate sponsors attract new business to the
area, and a properly maintained playspace will last 15-20 years, serving all the children in the
community. We're confident you can continue this list!
155
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Page 156
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Subsection 1: Goals and Objectives
Goals and objectives are two different ideas, but both should be included in this section of your
proposal.
•
Goals: This section is conceptual, "bigger," and more abstract. Create the setting and
describe what you hope to accomplish with your project.
•
Objectives: This section outlines the measurable outcomes of your project. Objectives
are tangible, concrete, and specific. Clear objectives are especially important, as they
form the basis for the project's activities and serve as a basis for the evaluation of your
project. Be realistic and do not promise what you can't deliver. In a subsequent funding
report, funders will want to see that you have achieved your objectives.
Examples
Goal: To provide children with a safe, fun, and accessible space to play
Objective 1: To build a playground that will serve (number) children in (name of
your community)
Goal: To strengthen our community
Objective 1: To get the support of at least (number) community volunteers to
build the playground
Objective 2: To attract local business investment and involvement in our project
Subsection 2: Project Plan/Methods
In the goals and objectives section above, your proposal outlined what you hope to achieve by
the project, the "what." Think of this section as the "how," "who," "when," and "why" of your
playground project. By outlining your action plan, this part of your proposal will allow a funder
to visualize the implementation of your project.
•
How: The "how" should include a fairly detailed description of what will occur from the
time the project begins until it is completed.
Think chronologically. Consider describing your plans for an initial community meeting to
promote general interest, describe plans for Design Day, mention how you have (or will)
select a play equipment company, describe how the children will be involved in the entire
process and be sure to give your build date.
APPENDIX
156
•
4/28/2005
10:57 PM
Page 157
Who: Let the funder know what agencies or other organizations you're working with.
This is a good place to refer to KaBOOM! as a source of help and inspiration for the
community-built playground model. Funders love to know that they are not the sole source
of funding, so list other funders. It is important also to list the number and kinds of
volunteers you will work with, including your Playground Committee. You may want to
create a table of committees and their primary responsibilities.
•
When: The "when" presents the order and timing of tasks. A timetable often helps
"walk" the reader through this section.
•
Why: Finally, a brief "why" should answer why you have chosen your particular
method/plan, especially if it is unconventional. You may want to include testimonies
here, or examples of similar projects that have worked.
Reiterate the importance of the community built model. What new resources have you
already uncovered in your community? How will this experience personally affect the
volunteers? Emphasize that community built projects foster community pride, which will
contribute to better maintenance in the long run.
Subsection 3: Evaluation
Evaluation is an important management tool that funders often look for in determining
thoroughness and professionalism. Inclusion of an evaluation section indicates that you are
taking your objectives seriously, and have a serious approach to project implementation. You
may want to outline any reports you will draw up after the playground is built, to whom you will
send these reports, and emphasize that you will evaluate both the product (the playground)
and the process.
Questions you may want to consider in your evaluation report are:
1. Did the playground project meet the organization’s vision, missions, and goals?
Why or why not?
2. Did the playground project meet the foundation's giving area? Why or why not?
3. What lessons did I learn from our project?
4. What successes did I encounter on the project?
5. What tangible and intangible impact did I feel this playground has made on
the community?
6. With the momentum created from the playground project, what project are you planning
to undertake after the playground project is completed?
7. Who will be impacted by this project? (Include the number of children impacted.)
8. What need did this project fulfill?
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BUDGET
Depending on the funder's guidelines, a budget may be incorporated into the body of a
proposal, submitted as a separate document, or attached (and referenced) in an appendix. A
budget should contain a detailed list of estimated expenses and revenue for the proposed
playground project. It is ultra-important to be realistic about your costs. Remember, these
funders see many proposals, and they have an excellent idea about general costs and operating
expenses. Do not try to inflate your costs!
Revenue should include in-kind donations and services, and other grants (either already
awarded or those that are "in process" or applied for). This is important to document, as many
funders appreciate knowing that you are making an all-out effort to solicit contributions from
a variety of community resources.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION/CAPABILITIES
STORY! section to be a snapshot, two-page summary of your organization. You should include
some general information such as your mission, history, description of current programs, and
description of your audience. To make this section stand out, though, think about information
that will demonstrate to a reader that your organization has the administrative, financial,
programmatic, and staffing capacity to carry out your proposal. Highlight your group's
expertise, especially as it relates to the playspace project.
CONCLUSION
Every proposal should contain a concluding couple of paragraphs. Summarize the main points
of your narrative: the need for a playspace in your community, your goals and outcomes, the
benefits of a community build, your timeline and plan. You may want to call attention to the
future of the playspace and larger community, like what sorts of programming activities might
be coordinated on the playspace. Finally, repeat succinctly why you need funding to complete
your playspace project. Now, put your pen to paper and write with passion, purpose and clarity.
Good luck!!
APPENDIX
158
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Page 159
(Printed on your organization's letterhead)
Date
Name, Title (Grantmaker Contact)
Foundation, Bank, Corporation (Grantmaker)
Address
City, State, Zip Code
RE: Name of Grant
(Name of Organization) is pleased to submit this request for your review.We look forward to the
possibility of your partnership in our cooperative efforts to build a new community playspace
at (Name of Community/Organization).
Our proposal requests $ (amount of request) that will cover 1/3 of the cost of the new
playground equipment.
This exciting community-built playspace will offer much more than simply slides and see-saws.
Because it is being planned and built by local residents, volunteers and funders, it offers an
opportunity for adults to work together and strengthen our community. The children that will
benefit from the new playspace have already been engaged in the design of the playground.
We have secured $ (Amount) funds to launch our campaign, have recruited more than 100
volunteers, and bring a 50/50 match for every dollar in this request.
For the last fifteen years, (Name of Organization) has successfully provided after-school care and
family programming to those families most in need in our community. Each day, we serve more
than 250 children in after school programming, and serve hundreds more through our
weekend programs. Your ongoing investment in our youth will enable us to continue to
effectively serve working families.
Thank you for your interest in (Name of Organization). We envision building upon our
collaborative success by engaging you in this exciting community project.
Sincerely,
(Name of CEO/Board Chair)
(Title of CEO/Board Chair)
159
16413_160_OnlineResource.qxp
4/28/2005
11:10 PM
Page 2
Aside from our own Website, www.kaboom.org, here are some of our favorite fundraisingrelated Websites.
www.fundraiserhelp.com
This comprehensive site hosts a variety of
great resources. There are a plethora of
articles, fun event ideas, a free e-newsletter
and a fabulous forum where users share their
own ideas and advice.
www.fund-raising.com
Contains a wealth of practical, creative, and
simple fundraising ideas that are submitted to
the site by communities who have
successfully tried them. Site also contains
information on commercial products that can
be used for fundraising.
www.fundraising-ideas.com
Anyone may subscribe to this free newsletter
that contains helpful tips and ideas. Site
contains a comprehensive directory of
professional services and commercial
products that can be used for fundraising.
www.fdncenter.org
This site contains loads of information about
foundations and funders. It also offers on-line
training in proposal writing and a helpful
electronic reference desk, with many links of
interest to nonprofits.
www.grassrootsfundraising.org
This online site of the popular print
publication, the Grassroots Fundraising
Journal, features articles and content by
fundraising expert, Kim Klein. The articles are
tailored toward smaller nonprofit, and there is
a great, free e-newsletter option.
www.raise-funds.com
This site is written and managed by individual
development consultant, Tony Poderis. The
Forum Library is especially useful, with a
ONLINE RESOURCES
160
variety of comprehensive, easy-to-understand
articles on nearly every fundraising subject.
www.sponsorship.com
Read here to learn all about sponsorship. The
very clear and informative FAQs section and
Glossary will enable you to speak like an
industry pro, and the Sponsorship
Opportunities page may provide you with
some useful leads.
www.ctb.ukans.edu
This is an excellent reference for just about
anything related to community organizing.
Of particular interest to fundraisers are
Sections 27-29 of the Toolbox, which cover a
broad range of topics related to fundraising,
from writing grants to basic accounting.
www.nonprofit.about.com
This network of sites offers advice by industry
experts. The nonprofit site offers a range of
interesting articles about fundraising for
nonprofits, from advice on "the ask", to
running a direct mail campaign, to the
potential of the Internet for fundraising.
www.charityvillage.com
This Canadian clearinghouse for nonprofit
organizations has a particularly useful Library
section, that contains hundreds of "How To"
articles, many of which address important
fundraising topics.
www.nonprofits.org
This site is very rich in information for
nonprofit and grassroots groups. Go to the
"Nonprofit FAQS" page for scores of articles
that are easily labeled and sorted according to
topic.
16413_FUNDRAISING_MAN
4/28/05
11:16 AM
Page 1
SPI
RIT
!
DREAM!
WON
DER
!
The
Roadmap
to Changing
a Child’s
World
!
Coomm
munnitty FUNNdrraiisiingg Maanuuall
JOY
No matter where you are on the road to changing
a child’s world, the easy-to-use KaBOOM! Roadmap
and manuals will help you successfully reach
your destination!
N!
U
F
The Power to Change a Child’s World
www.kaboom.org
4455 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite B100
202.659.0215
From the leading authority on a child’s right to play,
a resource packed with 101 money making ideas, strategies and tips
to rev up your community fundraising efforts!
16413_FUNDRAISING_MAN
4/27/05
W
3:21 PM
Page 2
S
I
T
HA
?
NE
HAPPI
At KaBOOM! our offices are purple, our desks are cluttered with toys, and our minds are filled with
visions of great playspaces, empowered communities, and the rich rewards that come with success
and transformation. We like to think that beyond our list of projects, products and services, the
SS!
Believe it.
Plan it.
Build it.
how to raise money or implement
essence of KaBOOM! is something intangible…a feeling and an idealistic vision. In a society where
the health and safety of children is a growing concern, KaBOOM! is…
with the help of your manuals we
achieved success, community
empowerment.
FU N !
Community FUNdraising Manual. It
“Our committee didn't have a clue
a community playground build, yet
The energy that inspires a cascading effect of leadership and community
“My favorite tool in the Toolkit is the
is full of ideas with easy to follow
“I am using many of the ideas in
instructions, and helps you have
the KaBOOM! Toolkit. I have also
realistic expectations as to what you
shared my books with my
can raise with each event.”
volunteers to get them motivated
participation, and a load of fun!”
about our skate park project.
—Chris Potter
Black Creek, WI
Thanks for these great tools.”
The joy of flying in a new swing — and the joy of watching that high-flyer go.
The angst over seeing children play in empty lots and abandoned cars, and…
The passion to do something about it.
The vision, power and positive action that says “we can!” and works
“I am a college student and decided to do a
hard to make a difference.
community playground project. I was completely
The confidence to do more.
FUN!
lost and didn't know where to begin. The KaBOOM!
SPIRIT!
—Sharron Turman
Trumann Parks
and Recreation
Trumann, AR
Toolkit was so informative, and gave me the
direction I needed. Thanks, KaBOOM!”
—Linda Walsh
Boston University
Boston, MA
As a merry band of social-change agents, we want the KaBOOM! of our dreams to be the
KaBOOM! of your dreams.
But for the record: KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that was created in 1995 with a
vision of great PlaySpaces within walking distance of every child in North America. Over its short but
illustrious history, KaBOOM! has become the leading authority on a child’s right to play, built
hundreds of community playspaces and renovated thousands more. Over the years, we have
developed, tested and continually improved our simple, fun and rewarding community-build process.
The manual in your hands is the result of the wisdom and experience of all those people on the
ground and in the trenches – look for comments and tips from our community partners as
you read. Visit www.kaboom.org for more great information and resources!
Last, but definitely not least, remember to share your stories with us so we can
share them with other believers, planners and builders around the country!
IMAGINAT
ION!
Visit our website for
more sample forms
and project help.
www.kaboom.org
—Angula "Angie" McDonald
Elkins Community Center
Youth Programs Committee
Elkins, AR
16416_COMM-BUILD_MANUAL
4/27/05
4:05 PM
Page 1
SPI
RIT
JOY
WON
DER
!
The
Roadmap
to Changing
a Child’s
World
No matter where you are on the road to changing
a child’s world, the easy-to-use KaBOOM! Roadmap
and manuals will help you successfully reach
your destination!
!
Community-Build PlaySpace Manual
DREAM!
!
N!
U
F
The Power to Change a Child’s World
www.kaboom.org
4455 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite B100
202.659.0215
From the leading authority on a child’s right to play,
a “roadmap” that allows your community to believe in,
plan, and build a great community playspace!
16416_COMM-BUILD_MANUAL
4/27/05
W
5:07 PM
Page 2
S
I
T
HA
?
NE
HAPPI
SS!
Believe it.
Plan it.
Build it.
At KaBOOM! our offices are purple, our desks are cluttered with toys, and our minds are filled
“Our committee didn't have a clue
success and transformation. We like to think that beyond our list of projects, products and services,
how to raise money or implement
“I am using many of the ideas in
full of ideas with easy to follow
a community playground build, yet
the KaBOOM! Toolkit. I have also
instructions, and helps you have
with the help of your manuals we
shared my books with my
realistic expectations as to what you
achieved success, community
volunteers to get them motivated
can raise with each event.“
participation, and a load of fun!”
about our skate park project.
the essence of KaBOOM! is something intangible…a feeling and an idealistic vision. In a society
where the health and safety of children is a growing concern, KaBOOM! is…
The energy that inspires a cascading effect of leadership and community
empowerment.
FU N !
“My favorite tool in the Toolkit is the
with visions of great playspaces, empowered communities, and the rich rewards that come with
The joy of flying in a new swing — and the joy of watching that high-flyer go.
The angst over seeing children play in empty lots and abandoned cars, and…
The passion to do something about it.
The vision, power and positive action that says “we can!” and works
hard to make a difference.
The confidence to do more.
FUN!
SPIRIT!
As a merry band of social-change agents, we want the KaBOOM! of our dreams to be the
KaBOOM! of your dreams.
But for the record: KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that was created in 1995 with a
vision of great PlaySpaces within walking distance of every child in North America. Over its short but
—Chris Potter
Black Creek, WI
Get Organized!
This Toolkit Template CD
contains sample forms and
useful templates related to
budget, contacts, PR,
logistics and more.
Customize them for your
own project!
illustrious history, KaBOOM! has become the leading authority on a child’s right to play, built
hundreds of community playspaces and renovated thousands more. Over the years, we have
developed, tested and continually improved our simple, fun and rewarding community-build
process. The manual in your hands is the result of the wisdom and experience of all those people on
the ground and in the trenches – look for comments and tips from our community partners
as you read. Visit www.kaboom.org for more great information and resources!
Last, but definitely not least, remember to share your stories with us so we can
share them with other believers, planners and builders around the country!
IMAGINAT
ION!
Visit our website for
more sample forms
and project help.
www.kaboom.org
Community FUNdraising Manual. It is
Thanks for these great tools.”
—Sharron Turman
Trumann Parks
and Recreation
Trumann, AR
—Angula "Angie" McDonald
Elkins Community Center
Youth Programs Committee
Elkins, AR