Hi,

All of our respective museums and groups have troubles with funds. It's a fact, but I was wondering what some of your groups do to raise funds. We've probably discussed it before and it will always be an issue, but I wanted to bring it up again to get some ideas and see whats thrown out.

Thanks,

Stuart

Mid-South News
gnufe@apex.net

I have been very lucky with materials and in-kind donations in the past. I have just made calls to local businesses and asked. It helps that I work in the steam power plant business and have lots of contacts. Here are examples of some of what I have gotten donated to my local non-profit tourist railroad just by asking:

lights for the shop (used)
gas drive welder (new)
electric shop welder (new)
shop air compressor (used)
rags
fuel oil
safety valve repairs
loan of machine tools
loan of boiler tools
machine shop work
welding services
loan of UT machine
extension cords

Forgotten Delaware

> I
> was wondering what some of your groups do to
> raise funds.

The WW&F Railway Museum has an annual fundraiser every fall. We send out a letter to all our members asking for money. We do quite well, actually. We determine what we need to fund for projects before we write the letter. Much of it goes toward track extension.

The rest of the year we live off gift shop receipts, ticket sales, dues, and unsolicited donations.

WW&F
jcpatten@lincoln.midcoast.com

I like to think up unique things to sell to your members and the general public. Recently, we came upon the original blend of coffee that the Erie Lackawanna used in its dining cars. The coffee roaster is now making it for us in custom labeled bags. They are inexpensive, unique and bought by as many non-railfans as railfans.

Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society
tstuy@eldcps.org

The Tod Engine Foundation uses a combination of sales of items on ebay, sales of steel industry related items including engineering drawings to steel modelers, and donations by yours truly. I have financed alot of this project using my own credit cards since we had no other source of money. Still paying those off by the way, but being in debt for saving a 300 ton steam engine is preferable to being in debt because I blew my money on some Chinese consumer items!

We have had some in kind donations as well. Replacement castings, machine work and even hard chroming services have been contributed or pledged. I haven't publicized the project much so I dont really know just how many more contributions we could muster.

http://www.todengine.org

jrowlands@neo.rr.com

The Western Railway Museum has a three level program. We have member based funding with the usual letter writing as memtioned above.

There are special events such as our annual Pumpkin Patch trains starting on October 12th. We made over $25,000 on this last year.

And some success with corporate matching and foundation grants, They take a lot of time to develope,write and wait for; but there is some money out there.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov

A lot of antique farm equipment clubs use a raffle. Sometimes it is a piece of equipment (like a tractor or gasoline engine) that the club members restored for this purpose. Sometimes it is donated, or bought merchandise (a train set, farm toys, etc.)

Some have used variation of a raffle called a "chinese auction" with many lower value donated items and services (10 free carwashes, one room of carpet cleaning, a garden hose, lawn rake,etc.)

No I suppose you can't raise millions this way, but its good for a couple K for a small group

steamnut@ptd.net

I hate to admit this but Bingo, we run one of the largest bingo's in our area. I hate it. we have become to dependent on it. But it allowed us to pay off our 19 miles of real estate in 2 and one half years and bring the track back from the dead. 10 plus years of tuesday evenings and sunday afternoons. 6 figures a year isn't so bad. plus Our haunted hobo path every year brings in good money. The only problem is this has caused a big rif in memebers.

irss@eriecoast.com

Recent referendum on lottery in NC to pay for education. I like the idea - take money from those stupid enough to play to educate people so they won't be that stupid.

If bingo works, why not?

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> If bingo works, why not?
1. If Bingo destroys your volunteer base ?
2. If Bingo becomes the only way to make money ?
3. If Bingo takes precedence over RR preservation and operation ?
4. If Bingo becomes a political animal and you lose control of the finances ?
5. If the "temporary" use of Bingo becomes a long term source replacing any motivation to develop you property as a source ?

Sounds similar to the "oldest profession" and a definite deviation from original intent ...... NO THANKS



lamontdc@adelphia.net