Coordination and Cooperation -
Finding Partnerships for Funding
Carol Wright, James River Transit
Jamestown, ND
The DTA Annual Conference in Sioux Falls, SD, Sept. 20-23 was a great opportunity to learn ways to improve our coordination and cooperation efforts. Jill Hough, Director of the Small Urban & Rural Transit Center (SURTC), North Dakota State University in Fargo, facilitated sessions on discovering potential partners and creative fundraising ideas.
Two project directors were asked to present information on successful fundraising efforts their organizations had conducted. Linda Freeman, Director of Kenmare, ND, Wheels and Meals (KWM), discussed the direct-mail campaign that she and other project directors from the region recently completed. They enlisted the help of Bremer Bank as a partner. A $5,000 grant covered overhead costs such as printing and postage. KWM and the other regional transit projects targeted businesses and individuals in each of their respective communities. The campaign was a big success and worth the diligent effort it took to accomplish their fundraising goals. The mailing campaign also presented a good opportunity to remind the public about the valuable services their transit agencies provide.
Brenda Schweitzer, Director of Arrow Public Transit (APT) in Lemmon, SD, presented information on their Radio-a-thon. They have been doing this fundraiser for approximately 11 years. The local radio station partners with APT to produce the show at no cost to the transit agency. Other expenses are minimal (approximately $300). They take pledges from individuals and businesses in the listening area. In addition to raising more than $9,000, this fundraiser also allows the transit agency to get its message out to area listeners.
Other directors that briefly shared ideas with the conference delegates included:
- Charlotte Zaun, Minot Commission on Aging in Minot, ND, shared information about the Coffee Shop and Dinner Theatre productions held at their facility.
- Joan Campbell, South Central Adult Services in Valley City, ND, shared experiences of partnering with Mercy Hospital in building an assisted living center called Bridgewater Estates. She also discussed an endowment fund started by their agency. Joan also recommended contacting local law firms informing them of the community services provided by your transit agency.
- Midge Kuntz, Elder Care in Dickinson, ND, spoke on the Dickinson Coalition of Charitable Organizations. These agencies compiled, printed, and distributed a brochure explaining the mission and services provided by each agency. They also organized a display board featuring the coalition partner agencies that can be taken to events throughout the area.
- Paul Grindeland, Fargo Senior Commission in Fargo, ND, added to the concept by discussing the "Leave a Legacy of the Red River Valley" effort happening in the Fargo/ Moorhead/West Fargo area. Paul also discussed his agency's "Walk for Meals on Wheels" fundraiser which raises annually $10,000 to $15,000.
- Pamela Ternes, Standing Rock Public Transportation in Fort Yates, ND, discussed how Sitting Bull College formed a construction company to provide on-the-job training for college students and bring additional income to the college. Pamela encouraged us to do a better job of telling our story. Their college president has told their story on the Today Show on NBC, Parade Magazine and Time Magazine.
- LaMae Bergan, Senior Meals and Services (SMS) in Devils Lake, ND, gave specifics on how their annual Pie Festival works. A huge volunteer effort and little overhead are characteristics of this event, which brings in approximately $15,000 per year. SMS also holds an annual Sweet Shop sale selling Christmas sweets close to the holidays. The net income from that event is about $6,000 per year.
- Kevin Disburg, driver for Rivers Cities Transit (RCT) in Pierre, SD, encouraged projects to not only sell advertising on the buses for cash, but to barter with other agencies for services in exchange for advertising space. One of their most successful arrangements is with a local radio station. RCT trades advertising space on their buses for an equivalent dollar amount of airtime on the radio station. He emphasized the importance of having policies in place for advertising sales.
- Neil Arntzen, chairman of the board of directors for Souris Basin Transportation (SBT), Minot, ND, indicated the importance of working closely with county commissioners and making sure they understand the importance of the transit services you provide within each of their counties. SBT was able to secure $1,500 additional funds from each county commission representing the seven counties they serve to cover a $10,000 operating deficit this year.
In small group discussions, participants developed plans for six of the topics discussed in the morning.
- Endowments
- Starting a second business
- Partnership with local governments
- Advertising on vehicles
- Starting and growing an annual event, and
- Partnership with local school and/or university
More details on these discussions will be available on the DTA website. These types of sessions are valuable because association members can take home specific ideas that have been proven successful by other projects in the Dakotas. This session also provided us with resource people from our association to call if we want more information about particular fundraisers or partnerships.
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