| Select a location, and have other places in mind in case your chosen location can’t be used |
| Look at other skateparks, visit if possible, talk to the users. Find out how they got their skatepark and how much it cost. If it’s Council run – ring that Council Office – ask to speak to the Sports Officer who will tell you all you need to know. Then ring your own Council and check they don’t already have plans in the pipeline! |
| Find out about ramp companies – ask them to send you prices and visuals (the internet is a good place to find this information). Think about what sort of skatepark you want (steel, wood, concrete), do some drawings of layout; better to start with a small project you can build on than have a wish list of every ramp |
going
| Price your ideal skatepark – better to start low, then add on, than a state-of-the-art £100,000+ which may take a long time to achieve. It is possible to get a fully installed street course (including tarmac) for £25,000 |
Armed with the above information:
| NOW enlist adult help – parents are the best, youth leaders are also very helpful. Pick people who are good speakers, patient, innovative with ideas and will state your case in a positive, passionate way. A charm offensive is the best way to win support and if you’ve done you’re homework first, the adults will be impressed and more willing to become involved. Remember, most adults haven’t got a clue what a half-pipe is – so be prepared with visual and factual information for them |
| Ask them to form a Committee and become a recognised non-profit group |
| Form a Constitution - this is a list of ideals and rules the committee decide the project should operate on - it is a requirement of all the funding bodies. They see it as evidence that the project is well thought out and is being operated legally and effectively |
| Choose a name for your group/project. Design a logo and headed notepaper – it looks so much more professional even if it’s done on a computer. It can set your group apart and make it stand out in an ordinary pile of mail/papers |
| Open a bank account in the Group name – only £1 is needed for a ‘Treasurers A/C at Lloyds Bank |
| Funding – contact the Sports Officer at your local Council Office – they are there to help the public, they will give you names, telephone numbers and details of how much you can apply for and where to apply |
| Find out who the local Councillor is for the area the skatepark will be in – get the Committee Chairperson to contact them. Explain your project, enlist their support and ask if they will be willing to be a referee on the funding applications. They will usually be very keen, as they want to be seen by their constituents and voters as helping and working for the good of the community. They will deal, on your behalf, with the different departments in the Council such as Planning, Parks & Gardens, Leisure and Legal, which will assist your project greatly |
| Approach the police, find out who the community police officer is – get them on board; they are keen to be seen to be reducing crime and a youth project like a skatepark is an ideal way for young people to be positively occupied. It gives a good impression to the wider public and helps when fundraising |
| Other important persons to a project like this are youth leaders, Churches (they sometimes have Trust Fund Bequests for the benefit of young people) and the Heads of the local schools. Become a community partnership |
| Be prepared to attend at least one Council Meeting with an adult – Councillors like to meet you and hear what you have to say. Keep it respectful and brief so jot some notes down in advance! Ask the Council if they have any money they are able to put into the project. You will never know unless you ask! |
| Don’t be camera shy – use every opportunity you can to involve the media (local newspaper, radio and TV). Force yourself to smile, don’t worry about what your mates/other people will say about you – just remember how desperately you want that skatepark – a picture in the paper is surely worth it |
| Launch your group in the media – prepare a press release. Bullet-point everything – keep it brief but factual. All they want to know is: |
who the group are and why they formed
what your group is doing (the project)
how much you are trying to raise
who to contact
always have someone available with a digital camera, as a backup if the paper’s photographer doesn’t show up (they’re very busy people, especially on a Saturday)
| The group will also need to do some fundraising so be original – it will attract more attention. Not everyone can wheel out a celebrity – think up wacky, fun events to keep the media interested. Their coverage will attract the interest of businesses or other groups who may be able to help in some way (donate prizes, give sponsorship, free use of their facility etc). Local fundraising is a slow way to raise money BUT it is an excellent way to show the group’s commitment to the project and keep it in the public’s eye. |
Tried and tested fundraising ideas:
Raffle/Tombola/games of skill/chance/Table Top/Car Boot /Jumble Sale
Sponsored … anything (persuade a parent to parachute/abseil/skate?)
Disco (‘wheeled disco’ even better – skates and skateboards!)
Non-uniform day at local schools
Have a notice board at all the events displaying any plans, pictures, media coverage etc so the public can see the idea/progress/current fund total. Keep your logo/heading on display and contact details with everything you do
| Begging letters – this is the hardest way to raise funds, as you are writing ‘cold’ and trying to sell the group and the idea in one letter. It needs to be brief but hold the reader’s interest. Put together a clever formula you can adjust according to the recipient. Emphasise the needs of young people, what a difference it would make to theirs, and the residents, lives - an asset to the community, decrease in anti-social behaviour. Tell them the group is a community partnership with the police, |
Churches, schools, youth clubs etc. Then sit back and cross your fingers! Target all sizes of Companies – you’ll be surprised how generous small companies can be – but also expect disappointment. Don’t get despondent, don’t give up.
Write to the utility companies too – they all have departments that deal with requests like this.
Skate Companies/local skate shop are regularly targeted by young people who think they have loads of money – they don’t tend to support skateparks financially - but can usually be persuaded to part with skates, skateboards, T-shirts and equipment as prizes - mention you will promote it at a photo-call. You often need to telephone them, either to ask direct, or to follow a letter through – they seem to respond better to the personal, verbal approach.
Local shops/businesses – nothing beats the personal touch by taking a letter and handing it personally to the recipient, or asking to speak to the proprietor/owner by name. Try to find out in advance the name of the ‘big chief’ (a receptionist or shop assistant will tell you – by phone or visit). A big smile, friendly - but not overbearing approach, hasn’t failed us yet – and lots of enthusiastic ‘thank yous’ is always appreciated. Follow it up with a ‘thank you’ letter. They will generally give smaller value donations (either goods or money). Never say ‘no’ to what they offer – you’ll always find a home for it eventually!
The Library is a very good source for finding funding, ask the librarian to show you where to look – especially trust funds, bursaries, bequests etc.
If you want to maintain a successful approach with begging letters or asking for help, the most important thing to remember is ALWAYS write a prompt letter of gratitude and thanks – you never know when you may need to approach them again and they will remember a good thank you letter. You could invite them to join your group in a cheque presentation hand-over – another good publicity coup for all concerned.
A financial tip to remember: Allow realistic administration costs in your budget – telephone, postage, stationery, ink cartridges, photocopying, laminating, petrol etc soon add up. £300 is a good starter figure. Keep receipts/bills. Claim it back when you receive some funding. Financial stress is the last thing you want at home.
Social etiquette – Dignitaries/VIP’s: Always keep the Councillor, who is your referee, informed of all the fundraising activities and photo-calls (whether receiving a cheque or breaking some news) – it gives them the opportunity to be actively involved. Invite the Mayor or your local MP (by letter) to one or two of your activities. Their presence usually guarantees the photographer will turn up!
Expectations: It won’t happen overnight. If you have a good, hard working and willing Committee, it could take from 6 months to find funding up to £25,000 – 12+ months for larger amounts. Less, if they are really on the case. Allow another 8-12 weeks for construction/installation of the project
Concluding the Project: Ask your Council to ‘adopt’ the facility. This will release your group from any further responsibility and the Committee can disband if they wish at this point. Many Councils are not rich, so you will be doing the community a tremendous service by providing the funding for a skatepark and the Council will be aware of this. They will be happy to work with you and take on the legal responsibility of safety and any on-going servicing/maintenance. It will come under their ‘parks and play equipment’ cover.
Without your project – your area may never have had a skatepark – so you can feel proud that you helped it to happen in your community – you’ll be a ‘local hero’!
Click here if you would like ‘templates’ of: A Constitution
For up to date information and all sorts of interesting facts and advice log onto:
The Skatepark Association of the United Kingdom to find out more about funding and developing a skatepark in your area. This is the best site I have come across and it is constantly being updated.
ÓCopyright K Hallett, Great-to-Skate Email: dk@great-to-skate.co.uk