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by Joe Garecht
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Skate parks are a civic improvement that are often built to attract a young and creative population to an area. They are also constructed to provide a safe place for young people to skateboard without damaging local buildings and infrastructure. In order to build a skate park, local organizations may raise money from government entities, businesses and individuals with an interest in youth recreation and civic initiatives.
Groups wishing to fundraise for a skate park should offer tax advantages to donors to encourage people and companies to make donations. In order to do so, partner with a legally registered nonprofit organization. Teaming up with an existing nonprofit has the advantage of avoiding the expense of registering a charity, but that advantage comes at the cost of some control over the project. Launching a new nonprofit to fundraise for the skate park maintains governance in the hands of the organizers but incurs significant legal and accounting start-up expenses.
Approach your local, state and federal government to ask for help funding the construction and operation of the skate park. The fundraising organization should begin by presenting its plans to local elected officials to build support for the initiative. Highlight the benefits of the proposed park, including recreation opportunities for local youths. One great way to garner support from local governments is to build your skate park in a previously vacant or rough area, such as a trash-strewn lot or under a highway overpass. Building a skate park in such an area will appeal to politicians and residents because it will provide a way to clean up and maintain an otherwise undesirable location.
When making a decision on whether to provide government funding, political leaders may worry that doing so will anger local residents, who often see skate parks as potentially troublesome hangouts for teens. If your skate park plan can show widespread public support for the park, you will have an easier time raising government funds.
Organizational Funding
Ask local foundations that focus on civic improvement and local infrastructure to consider funding your skate park. These organizations often have large funding reserves and make funding decisions based on written grant applications. Research what foundations exist in your area and what their funding priorities are, and write funding requests to those that fund projects like local recreation facilities. Similarly, approach religious organizations in your community that have large youth programs. Seek out organizations that are relatively affluent and regularly donate money to local programs.
Businesses located near the skate park should be approached to serve as sponsors for the facility. These sponsors would provide money for the park and in return receive advertising and marketing opportunities. Other prospective business donors include companies that sell products serving the skateboarding and youth markets. If the skate park is being built, in part, to provide children and teens a place to skate in order to protect the sidewalks and infrastructure of a downtown area, businesses in the town center should be approached for donations as well.
When approaching a business to sponsor your skate park, research the name of the owner or chief executive of the company. Schedule an appointment to present your plan for the park, including architectural drawings or mockups, if you have them. Show the business owner that your skate park will be good both for the community and for local businesses. Ask for a specific amount and outline what marketing benefits the company will receive as a result of its sponsorship.
Individual Funding
The largest source of available funds for nonprofit fundraising is individual donors. Groups raising money to build a skate park should approach individuals in the community to seek donations. This effort can take the form of a fundraising event, direct mail, online fundraising or direct, one-on-one meetings and phone calls. When raising money from individuals, the fundraising organization should emphasize the benefits of the skate park for the whole community and offer recognition opportunities for larger donors.
Target donors that are likely to be supportive of your project, such as families with children and teenagers, young professionals and younger married couples just starting their families. These demographics are more likely to be willing to donate to your project than senior citizens and retirees, though you may find support even among those segments of the community.
Skatepark Guide: Fundraising for a Skatepark
National Park Service: Giving Statistics
GrantSpace: How Do I Start a Nonprofit Organization?
Joe Garecht is an entrepreneur, author and speaker. He is the founder of two consulting firms, as well as two retail service businesses. As a consultant to nonprofit organizations, Garecht has raised in excess of $25 million. Garecht is a graduate of Rutgers University, where he earned a B.A. in political science.
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