Fundraising
Fundraising can be vital to the success of an event yet it is often a weak area in the planning of an event. There are many ways to raise funds such as dances, bake sales, car washes etc.
Raffles and Bingos
If you are considering a raffle, bingo or lottery, your organization must contact the Licensing & Enforcement Division of the City of Thunder Bay. You must be a non-profit, charitable organization in order to apply. This department is also responsible for issuing Nevada ticket licenses. Be sure to apply well in advance, as bingos are often scheduled six months in advance.
For more information contact:
City of Thunder Bay
License and Enforcement Division
Victoriaville Civic Centre
P.O. Box 800
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7C 5K4
(807) 625-2710 (General Inquiries)
(807) 625-3977 (Lottery Licenses, Bingo, Business Licenses/Sign Permits)
(807) 625-3978
Contact this office prior to submission of your request to ensure that you include the necessary information to satisfy their requirements. Allow at least three to five weeks for the review of your proposal.
You may also wish to contact Volunteer Thunder Bay to arrange for a workshop on fundraising. Call 623-8272 or email: info@volunteerthunderbay.ca.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is a form of fundraising. Sponsors can support the event through donations of money, goods and services. It is best if you try to find a connection between your event and potential sponsors who can benefit from reaching the same audience. See the sample sponsorship letter and sponsor recognition form which demonstrate the type of package required to obtain larger corporate sponsors.
Sample - Sponsorship Letter
[Date]
[Business name]
[Contact]
[Address]
Dear [Contact]:
Let me introduce you to the Thunder Bay Children’s Festival. The event focuses on two main areas: live performance and on-site interactive activities. The venue incorporates over 14 acres of outdoor space and the 1500-seat theatre in the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. We also use a 400-seat performance tent for smaller performances on the Festival site, and an outdoor stage where local groups perform. The Festival is managed by a Board of ten non-profit partners, truly making it a community event. More than 10,000 children, teachers and parents visit the site each year, with the assistance of over 600 on-site volunteers.
The Thunder Bay Children’s Festival continues the tradition of excellence that has garnered increasing support over the past six years. As a corporation, your support will ensure a future for the Festival and the education of our children. It is through partnerships with businesses such as yours that we are able to present a high-quality, affordable event year after year. We strive to present an imaginative world of arts, heritage and entertainment for children and their families in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. Become a part of that excitement.
Attached you will find more detailed information on how you can become involved in the Thunder Bay Children’s Festival. It is our belief that your partnership with the Festival will be a positive and rewarding experience. Our Sponsorship Chair will be in touch with you by [date], to speak with you about this unique opportunity. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
Yours truly,
(Sponsorship Chair)
Thunder Bay Children’s Festival
(phone)
Sample - Sponsor Recognition
THUNDER BAY CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
Festival Sponsorship Benefit Program
Performance Sponsorship
$750...Variety Tent Performances
- Sponsor’s business logo in Festival Brochure
- Sponsor’s business logo in performance advertising
- Sponsor’s business name in Festival supplement - 40,000 distribution
- Sponsor’s business name in Festival guide - distributed on-site
- Acknowledgement at pre-Festival events - media conference information display
- Custom signage at main gate entrance and outside tent at performance times
- 10 tickets to your sponsored performer
- "Thank-you" award
$1,000 - $2,500...Main Stage Performance
- As above
- Sponsor’s business logo in Festival supplement - 40,000 distribution
- Sponsor’s business logo in Festival guide - distributed on-site
- Opportunity to hang banner on-site
- Additional 10 to 20 tickets to your sponsored performer
Activity Sponsorship
$1,500 - 2,500...On-site groupings of six interactive activities
- Sponsor’s business logo in Festival Brochure
- Sponsor’s business logo in Festival advertising
- Sponsor’s business logo in Festival supplement - 40,000 distribution
- Sponsor’s business logo in Festival guide - distributed on-site
- Acknowledgement at pre-Festival events - media conference, information display
- Custom signage at main gate entrance and at activity area
- Opportunity to hang banner on-site
- 10 tickets to your sponsored performer
- "Thank-you" award
Canadian Foundation Listings
A foundation is a charitable organization that provides funding for other groups. A listing of all the foundations established across Canada is in the Canadian Directory to Foundations published by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy. The manual provides guidelines for effective foundation fundraising. A copy of this directory is available in the Reference Section of the Brodie Resource Library.
Local Foundations
The Thunder Bay Foundation provides funding for organizations that have a charitable registration number and that provide activities or events for the common good. It provides funds for special occasions, events or projects that benefit other people. To be eligible, an organization must do the following:
-
Send a letter to the Thunder Bay Foundation to request an application form. This is a formality that will open your file.
- Complete and return the application form by October 11 each year. Include your annual report, financial statements etc.
The applications are reviewed and grants are distributed in December.
The Thunder Bay Foundation
Ruttan Block
4 S. Court St. Suite 17D
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 2W4
(807) 475-7279
(807) 684-0793
www.tbcf.org
tbcf@tbaytel.net
The Senator Norman M. Paterson Foundation provides grants to charitable, non-profit organizations that undertake projects, events or programs in education, health care, religion, social services and the arts. To be eligible, an organization must do the following:
-
Send a one-page letter to the Paterson Foundation that includes: a brief description of your organization, a brief description of the program or project for which funding is requested, and a charitable registration number and contact information for your organization
- Complete and return the "Application for Grant" form by the first week of May or November
The Board of Directors meets in June and in December to review completed applications.
The Senator Norman M. Paterson Foundation
1918 Yonge Street
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7E 6T9
www.patersonfoundation.ca
(807) 577-8421
Service Clubs
There are several community service clubs that may provide assistance to other groups with their activity or special event. Their contribution may consist of fundraising on behalf of your organization, a financial donation towards your cause, volunteer recruitment or assisting with raffle or ticket sales.
Service clubs each have their own policies and should be contacted directly to see if your event is eligible for assistance.
A listing of all service clubs is in the Directory of Community Services published by the Lakehead Social Planning Council. A copy of this directory is available in the reference sections of the Waverley, Brodie and Mary J.L. Black branches of the Thunder Bay Public Library, or can be purchased from the Lakehead Social Planning Council.
