Charitable status - It is helpful to be able to issue charitable tax
receipts if you are trying to solicit individual donations.
Corporate fundraising - At the symposium, many
people agreed that corporate fundraising is currently flat and has become
even worse since 9/11. Nevertheless, murals are often sponsored by
corporations in smaller communities if they see a benefit to the local
economy.
Government grants - There are many grant
opportunities, federal, provincial and municipal. Accessing these requires
some research into the grants available for specific purposes and regions.
Grants officers are available to provide assistance. There is a great deal
of information on the Internet about these grants. Ontario Trillium
Foundation receives revenue from Casino revenues and is good grant option.
Foundation grants - It is a labour intensive process researching and
applying to private foundations, but the rewards can be great. Several
groups use Big On Line as a research tool. This data service is available
for a price.
Individual giving campaigns - These can be very
successful in a community that really “buys” into the concept of public
murals. Simple flyers with a tear-off portion asking for donations to a
local project can be distributed through local merchants, service clubs,
churches etc. Some murals have been funded through the sponsorship of
“blocks” of the mural. For long term fundraising it important to develop
mailing lists. Don’t be shy to send more than one solicitation each year but
give each outreach a new angle. |
Fundraising events - These are limited only by your imagination. They
include silent and live auctions, “rainbow” auctions, bake sales, concerts
and much more. Some events are done for promotional purposes but can
generate income as well.
Lotteries - These include bingo, nevada
(break-open tickets) raffles. In Ontario, these are provincially regulated
through the local municipality and require a lottery license.
Merchandise sales - Several mural projects have been funded by the sale of
prints, calendars, books and other merchandise. Chemainus, B.C. is very
successful with the sales of their book. Mural Routes has funded three
murals from the sales of prints. A note of caution. It is possible to be
over enthusiastic about the potential revenue from sales. You don’t want to
incur debts that you can’t repay through purchase of merchandise that
doesn’t sell. Postcards and T shirts are better used for promotion than
fundraising.
Gifts-in-kind - There can be great cost savings
in getting donations of products and services for your project. These are
often much easier to get than cash donations. The donation of scaffolding,
paint, supplies, printing might be available in your community.
Partnership programs - Sharing the costs and
labour with a community, arts or service group is another way of saving
expenses. |
