Fund Raising Ideas?

[ndbwhunter]

Background story (short version)....In 2013 I approached the city with a proposal to rebuild our community archery range. The range hadn't been updated for nearly 25 years, and didn't even have targets. With the City's approval, I began drafting designs for the range's layout and features. Once approved, we hit the ground running, but with limited funding things got tough. The City, although interested in the project, had very few funds to allocate to the new project. As a group, us volunteers took it upon ourselves to raise all of the money required construct a new range. We were able to finish the range within 4 months and some how managed to come in under budget.

Fast forward to today...the city is willing to allocate some funds for use at the range, but that usually only covers the target expenses. I would like to put something together to raise some money for improvements to the range, and possibly try to find some better targets that last longer than one season.

Do you guys have any fund raising ideas that we could do to scratch together some $$$. I'd like to incorporate archery or the outdoors, but I am open to anything.

Ryan

 

[MuleyFever]

Your going to have to do something that gets more than just people who use the range involved to raise enough money to be worth it. We were looking for a fundraiser for the Fire Dept Relief Association and we decided on an adventure race. We got a permit from the BLM and did a run/bike/run race. It was a lot of work but with community businesses as sponsors it did ok.

 

[The John]

Get local archery/sporting charities involved would be a start. Maybe an archery shop would be willing to sell you a bow at cost, that you could raffle.

 

[elkyinzer]

Is the range setup as a non-profit org or does the city own/operate the range? That kind of dictates what can/can't be done. If the city owns it you are probably looking at setting up a fee-for-service arrangement. Quite a few options if you setup as a non-profit.

You could host shoots at the range itself and have the proceeds go back into the range. If you have the facilities you could even try to do something along the lines of an adventure race/shooting combo type thing (there are already a couple out there but I am sure they would be looking for a cut).

Charge a nominal fee-for-use or create memberships.

Ask local businesses or even individuals to sponsor (target businesses with a heavy outdoorsman presence - construction, farm equipment, oil/gas, etc.)

Pursue grants from RMEF, NSSF, etc.

 

[WestORHunter]

You could contact some companies and local vendors to try and get a little sport show. Also have a 3D shoot fundraiser with it!

 

[jmez]

Write letters to archery manufactures of all types. You can likely get donations or very reduced priced items to raffle off.

 

[Scoot]

What city?

 

[dotman]

Get local businesses involved to donate, everyone loves a raffle even if only held in an online format. I bet if you had some decent online raffles you would get many here to buy. Have a local company underwrite or donate the goods.

 

[VernAK]

I do an annual Fish Fry for the local HS Rifle Team and usually bring in an easy $1K.........I also do an annual small town Gun Show for the kids and it raises $4K-$5K.

 

[missjordan]

In my hometown, the micro beer industry is booming. I'd approach a local bar, brewery, or distillery about having a pint night and every drink purchased X amount of money goes towards the archery range. One local brewery does this a few times a month for various organizations.

Sometimes you can also find donations in wierd places, I'd seek out local businesses of all types and ask to help out. You just never know who is willing to step forward and help out financially

 

[ndbwhunter]

I apologize for the delay in responding guys. Lots of great ideas. The range is owned by the city, but they are pretty open to ideas when it comes to money. The range is located in Mandan, ND. We hit up a lot of businesses to fund the initial construction, and recognized each company on the sign along with the donation amount. The range is pretty small, so we don't really have the room to host a shoot of any kind. We have a really nice recreation area north of town that would be ideal for hosting a 3D shoot. The same place could also accommodate an athletic/ironman type of competition. Keep the ideas flowing. Thanks!

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I do a lot of fundraising in a variety of ways. The simplest, easiest long-term solution to your project is to name the archery range after someone willing to pay X dollars up front and X dollars annually for maintenance. I guarantee you there is someone out there that would love to spend money memorializing themselves or a deceased loved one in such a way. If they want a statue of that person at the entrance they must provide it. Problem solved. Fred Bear Park sounds nice.

 

[mfolch]

The closest range in my neighborhood regularly hosts target practice for the local university archery team. In exchange for use of the facilities, the range receives support from an enthusiastic group of young people who bring energy, enthusiasm, and attention.

I do a lot of fundraising in a variety of ways. The simplest, easiest long-term solution to your project is to name the archery range after someone willing to pay X dollars up front and X dollars annually for maintenance. I guarantee you there is someone out there that would love to spend money memorializing themselves or a deceased loved one in such a way. If they want a statue of that person at the entrance they must provide it. Problem solved. Fred Bear Park sounds nice.