Finance

While your events should be free of cost for participants, there are a number of costs associated with planning and delivery of Open Streets programs.

 
 
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Identify Your Costs

Delivering an Open Streets event requires a number of goods and services, falling into three categories:

  • Consumables - single use items: eg. event posters, event specific way-finding signs and maps, snacks.

  • Reusables - items that can be reused for future events: eg. volunteer t-shirts, program banners.

  • Services - Traffic control at intersections, movement of materials to and from event sites, entertainment and activities.

* Some municipalities charge a fee for road closure permits, however many do not. Contact your municipal government and police service for more information, and budget for permit fees if needed.

 
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Finding Your Sponsors

Some goods and services will need to be purchased, requiring financial support from donors, however many may be sourced through in-kind donations from local businesses and community partners.

Once you have established the line items in your budget, identify which to explore sourcing through in-kind donations. Brainstorm local businesses that may be interested in being donors and how they could benefit.

  • Print materials [posters, banners, volunteer apparel] may be donated in-kind or offered at reduced costs by local print shops in exchange for being listed as sponsors on the materials they provide.

  • Snacks to keep your volunteers fueled may be a way for a local caterer or cafe to advertise through word of mouth.

  • Local moving or car rental agencies may lend their branded vehicles to help with set-up and take-down.

Costs that will require financial contributions will need donations, grants, or sponsorship. There are pros and cons to both public and private funding. For more information on funding models, NACTO’s Open Streets Guide has detailed information and case studies on different management structures and funding models.

 
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Pitching Your Sponsors

Knowing what costs you need to cover, and who may be interested in collaborating, its time to talk business.

Work with your communications team to pitch your project to potential sponsors.

  • Research the sponsors you want to contact and adapt your pitch to focus on elements of their mission statements and values that align with the goals of your Open Streets project.

  • Clearly state what you’re asking for — be it funding or in-kind donations, what makes the contribution necessary to the event, and what’s in it for the sponsor.

  • Prepare a 1-pager to leave with potential sponsors that lay’s out your goals, impacts from other Open Streets programs of a similar scale, and your route.

Open Streets Project has an excellent breakdown of how to build a sponsorship package.