Finding Partners
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FINDING PARTNERS
Opportunities & Contracts
Once you’ve selected your park project and have an idea of the budget required, you can start to build on opportunities to bring in funding by finding community partners.
Project partners join on projects for a range of reasons, and it is important to establish the benefits that each partner might gain from a project.
Depending on the size of the project, there may be opportunities to pick up sponsorship from a larger corporation. It never hurts to ask! Rely on your advisory committee to brainstorm sponsor opportunities and find contacts that you can approach in person with your project idea.
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Do some background research into the organizations that might be interested in a sponsorship opportunity. Has this organization funded similar projects in the past? Is there a mandate in their organization to fund projects similar to your park project? Is there a fund available that you can apply to?
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Try to connect directly with someone at the organization who can give guidance on an appealing sponsorship opportunity, or can champion your project within the organization.
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Work with your advisory team to create an appealing sponsorship package. This might include area signs, press releases, social media and website recognition, naming rights, contribution opportunities to the project development process, or recognition at a launch or other events in your community.
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Be mindful of corporate budgets and timelines for sponsorship requests. Give sponsors more time to consider a well thought out request and to get more information from you regarding a project partnership.
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Tips for Approaching Sponsors
Be sure to keep in touch with your current sponsors, and keep them in mind when new projects are being proposed. If you maintain a positive relationship with current donors and sponsors, you’ll have more opportunities in the future to collaborate.
Follow up! People are busy, but that doesn’t mean that a non-response to an initial request is a no. It can mean that they are busy, or that the timing for the request isn’t quite right. Sometimes professional and respectful persistence pays off.
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Have a clear plan in place, and a specific request prepared. Consider your sponsor's time and ensure that you have a specific request, and a persuasive reason prepared for why a sponsor should consider your proposal. Take time to build a relationship; the extra time you take at the outset will pay off in the long run!
Be prepared to adjust your sponsorship request and presentation to meet the needs of your potential sponsor. They may require you to fill out an application; it might require supporting letters from other partners on the project; the sponsors may appreciate having an elected representative or decision maker in a meeting or call.
Sponsor Sign, Kiwanis River Park, Wakamow Valley, Moose Jaw
Tips to find Partners
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Is there a community, provincial or national association that can provide expertise to your team as you develop a project plan? For example, a relatively simple park project could include a disc golf course. If you plan to include a course, can you reach out to an organization representative for guidance?
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If your park includes space for organized sports activities, can you work with local, regional or national organizations on a plan to develop a multi-use space? For example, a representative from a lacrosse organization could assist with developing a playing surface that can suit their needs and might attract interest in developing a local chapter of the organization.
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You may also find ways to collaborate with your adjacent RM, communities close by who could contribute to your project, to First Nations in the region, or with organizations interested in promoting recreation, such as the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.
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Start early in your project planning to find and develop worthwhile partnerships. Whether they contribute advice, funding opportunities, partners for grant applications, or contribute assets, getting a large network of supporters organized early in the process has long term benefits for your project success!
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Parks projects are for your community, and some people in your community could become great partners to lend expertise, time, or connections to help a project come together. Use your connections and social media to find like minded people.
ORGANIZING CONTRACTS
A good partnership requires a good contract. If you are partnering with an organization whose members will use your park amenities, a contract will help align goals, maintenance requirements, service fees, and shared uses. If you plan to provide sponsorship rewards to a funder, a contract will provide both parties with clear expectations and can set the length of the agreement.
In addition to managing current relationships, contracts and signed agreements will form the basis of resources to guide future staff so that they can carry on the relationship as intended.
Define the scope and purpose of the contract clearly. Whether it’s to provide a service within a park, such as managing a food stand, or a user agreement for a specific purpose within the park, ensure that the contract carefully defines what the agreement covers and what it does not.
Outline roles, responsibilities, and decision making processes clearly. Ensure that all partners are aware of their responsibility for each aspect of the agreement, including regulatory requirements, permits, financial reporting, and oversight.
Ensure all partners understand their financial responsibility: cost sharing, fee collection and disbursement, in kind contributions (volunteering or donations), expenses, insurance, permits, etc.
Include oversight mechanisms and dispute resolution terms to ensure all partners are meeting their obligations, and the penalties if any if obligations are not met.
Keep records! Ensure that all parties to the contract have signed copies, and that project deliverables are tracked and recorded clearly for all parties.
CHECKLIST ITEMS
Develop a process for approaching sponsors for a project, and identify a list of benefits that a sponsor can receive in exchange for project support.
Create a list of potential project supporters to approach and research the benefits you could provide that would align with their goals.
Bridge Builder Commemoration Wascana Park
Ensure you have good documentation and contract templates available to guide partnership development.