Fundraising

Cindy Stevens the administrator with the Carver Scott County troupes gave an inspirational workshop on fundraising and evaluation at our 2003 conference.

On this page you’ll find;
*A brief overview of Cindy’s presentation at the 2003 conference.
*Fundraising ideas brainstormed by advisors at 2003 conference.
*Informational links to funding websites.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS BRAINSTORMED BY ADVISORS

Grass Roots
Here's where some fun brainstorming took place.  There were great ideas that advisors had implemented over the years to raise funds to pay for many things from pizza parties, to t-shirts to trainings! Here's a few of the advisor ideas!
Brats and a Car Wash
Community Performance and Charge Admission
Program Performances Sponsored by an Individual from the community
Dances
Candy Sales
Face Painting for a small fee before a game with a school rival
Coat Check at a School Event
Candy Sales with messages attached
Couch Potato - Put a comfy couch on the sidelines for a sporting event and raffle off chances to sit on the couch during the game and be waited on by a troupe member
Bake Sale
Stroller Walk/or any kind of Walk
Krispy Kreme sale with coffee for parent teacher conferences
Local Bands donate time to Compete at Concert and troupe charges Admission
One group went door to door explaining who they were and what they were doing, showing support material so that they would not be doubted. They would simply ask for a dollar.  They were amazed at how much they brought in
Buttons for School Pride-Sold home made buttons for a dollar
Pins beaded with School Colors - Sold for 50 cents.
One group tie died socks in the school colors and sold them, quite popular.
The same worked for another with t-shirts
Child care during the weekend for Christmas Shoppers-the troupe members did creative dramatics with the kids!
Magazine Sales were also popular.  It was pointed out that all the kids had to do was sell and the deliver was left to the publisher... saved the extra step of having to deliver what you're selling.

Community  Partnerships:
Pump Gas at the local Self Serve
Bagging Groceries a the local Grocery
Provide troupe members to the Tobacco Task Force as "traps"
You can also work out program presentations with the task force Raise funds through community performances  
Work with a local merchant and arrange to go into the schools to present skits on shoplifting in exchange for support of the troupe.

Corporate Partnerships:  
Your local Culvers Custard & Panera Bread & Kohls & Barnes and Noble may offer fundraising opportunities.

Target - Has small partnership grants available to groups working on the issue of domestic abuse http://target.com/common/page.html?content=target_cg_index

Grant writing is competitive but when it works it's great. Cornerstone Productions has helped many troupes write winning proposals. Some websites which can help you learn more about grant writing, and facilitate your search include:
The Foundation Center-www.fdncenter.org
Minnesota Council on Foundations- www.mcf.org/
Wisconsin Funding Information Center. http://www.marquette.edu/library/fic/index.html

Mini-Grants: Your State Arts Council may have mini grants available.
Your State Social Workers Association may have mini grants available.