Now that work has begun on 6167, the fact of the matter is that according to our estimates we need raise a lot more money in order to do the work we wish to do. Currently our fundraisng initiatives have ground to a halt.

My question is this: what would be a good fundraiser, ie what would YOU actually BUY to support the restoration. If I see enough interest, I will try and have it done. At the moment, our fundraising initiatives include the Larry Fisher painting we had done and buttons. We've only sold 100 prints so far, and interest in them seems to have dried up.

How many people would be interested in Replica Number or Northern Type plates? How about full scale tender decals (the square monogram) at 39" x 45"?

If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

If you would be interested is supporting the engine, I'd love to hear from you too.

Thanks,

Joe

Not having followed this thread in its entirety, but have you applied for grant money from civic/charitable sources?

I am sure whatever is used as a money raising medium will have slow going with the state of theb economy. The trust/grant idea is a good one. Do you have a stock of movie footage of the engine in operation that could be produced as a DVD to be sold? Unfortunatly the fund raising response would appear to be way less than in past years. A program might be to have said DVD and market it toward retirees that worked around/on the locomotive. If you go to corporate funding,l be sure to have a presentation that is short and to the point, devoid of a lot of "Railfan" type items. Yopu are going to a business that wants to know what this project can do for them. It is sure nopt a good time to have to raise funds for any project. Good Luck Andy

Quite a few places have done well by selling inscribed brass plates with the donor's name(s), "in memory of", "in honor of", etc. Locate these plaques either in the cab or on the tender doors, or on the stairs which arrive at the cab. Just a thought. I doubt you can sell enough refrigerator magnets with 6167's plate on them to make back your investment.
Grants seem to be the best alternative.

That is an interesting idea Richard. I have seen this at a few Aviation museums.

Take a page from public TV.

Make up extremely attractive collectibles--say, cast-metal replicas of the number plate or builder's plates, high-quality belt buckles, whatever--but dole them out in exchange for sizable donations, like $1000 or $5000 for a plate or $100-200 for a belt buckle. Make them a reward for real donations, not just something you sell.

Here's another idea. How about sand? Would anybody like some sand? 6167's two sand boxes are still full of sand from her last excursion in September 1964. I've always joked that we should bottle it and sell it. So yah, would anybody like some sand...

Not a bad idea. I bought a couple bags of coal that came from an ebt engine's tender. Each bag came with a signed certificate.
What about number plate key chains? Not junk plastic though!
Paintings of the locomotive in service can be great "donation getters". I would buy one!
This may be a stretch but could you get Essex Terminal #9 to come back to Guelph to run some fundraiser trips for both groups? (seems like just last year that I saw 6167 and 9 meet face to face)
Matt

http://members.fortunecity.com/stolzenf ... splay.html - shameless plug for my website with pics of many of these locomotives that are being discussed

Well if your interested, you can order prints from the Guelph Civic Museum.

http://guelpharts.ca/steamlocomotive616 ... p?ssid=312

You can either send them a check, or you might be able to order it over the phone.

Also ETR #9 is running Between Waterloo and St.Jacob.

Joe

The only hesitancy I have is the amount of investment you have to put forth to secure the "goodies", then the investment to advertise them and make them desirable to donors.

A quick idea for a plan might be:

1) Get your brass plaques, quality metal miniature number plates, whichever you choose.

2) Find a powerful, moving, excellent, image of the 6167 in service, and get a drawing of what her planned display should look like when completed. Place them in a newspaper or regional magazine ad, along with a basic listing of your restoration intentions. If you are officially sponsored by the local government, make sure they are aware of this and you hold their confidence.

3) Detail donor levels. For a donation of $61.67, you get a brass plaque with your name. For $25.00, you get a keychain and your name listed in a dedication program. For $250, you get a portrait photograph taken sitting at the restored throttle, through the cab windows, plus the plaque, etc. For $500, your name gets engraved in a granite marker at trackside. You get the spiel.

4) Consider store window posters for area businesses to promote awareness of the donation program. Consider a public auction of donated items from merchants.

5) Put the money in escrow! Use it only for the purpose for which it was donated. Follow through on your promises, either using contracted labor or other. Let people see the progress that transpires because they took an interest.

Look, I am not a public fundraiser, but any efforts you make in a positive direction will result in some response. People will get involved in something that shows results and holds some promise they won't be forgotten for their efforts.

Please keep us appraised regarding the plans, projected costs, and outcomes.