Pumpkinfest Funding Opportunities Give Back Almost $40,000 to the Community Annually
May 30, 2014
(Port Elgin) – The Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Committee has announced the 2014 service contracts which are available to non-profit and service organizations. Over $8,000 is available to groups who wish to perform a variety of necessary jobs at the event such as admission gates, parking and traffic control, garbage collection, the organization of the Kiddie Karnival and many others.
Lisa Billing, Pumpkinfest Volunteer and Non-Profit Director said she is very excited about her new volunteer role within the organization and can't wait to begin meeting with the groups involved. "It's a lot to learn but with the help of staff, I am confident that I will be able to dedicate myself to ensure all groups' needs and concerns are addressed. This is such a wonderful opportunity for local organizations to not only raise funds, but to increase awareness around their initiatives and projects." said Billing. "Without the support of our community, sponsors, non-profit and service organizations and the hundreds of volunteers, Pumpkinfest would not be the unique and special event it has become. It truly takes an entire community to successfully run a festival of this magnitude and Pumpkinfest is very proud to give back. Through paid service contracts and on-site fundraising opportunities, local non-profit organizations have the opportunity to raise funds and showcase the important work they do to over 50,000 visitors."
This year there are 17 service contracts available, three of which are new to the festival and include; assisting with site set-up, conducting an economic impact intercept survey and providing a food delivery service for the craft show and other vendors.
"Many of the groups and organizations who provide these services come back year after year – some have held their contracts for many years", said Sally Hunt, Pumpkinfest Coordinator. "We try to change up the contracts, or add new opportunities from time to time to allow new groups to partner with the festival. We are always excited when we're approached by a new group interested in participating."
In addition to the service contracts Port Elgin Pumpkinfest also encourages local non-profit and service organizations to come up with creative and unique ways of fundraising at the festival. "This is a fantastic way for local groups to engage tens of thousands of people over one weekend," said Billing. "Although barbeques and raffles are always welcome there is a limit to how many we can have at the event. Added value events such as a Saturday night dance, children's entertainment and games, and car washes are some examples, but all ideas are definitely welcome", said Billing.
Fundraising activities that are sanctioned attractions of the festival are promoted in the Pumpkinfest official marketing material, creating added value and awareness for providers. In exchange the Committee asks for a 15% return of the net proceeds earned from the endeavour. "These amounts paid back to the festival help us offset a portion of the costs incurred by the service contracts we offer," said Hunt.
In 2013 over 40 non-profit and service organizations worked together to raise just under $40,000 for their various projects during the festival and the Committee hopes to see this figure increase in 2014.
If you are part of an organization that wishes to learn more, please contact Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Headquarters at 519-389-3714.
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