The city of Airway Heights recently sent out a request for proposal for a fundraising consultant to develop a fundraising and donor engagement plan for the recreation complex.
In August, residents approved a proposal for $13 million in unlimited tax general obligation bonds to pay for Phase 1 of the recreation center. Phase 1 of the project includes a 35,000 square foot building with a group exercise room, an aquatic center, birthday party rental rooms, multi-purpose room and associated kitchen, administrative office, storage space, child watch area and seven acres of outdoor multi-purpose field space.
The fundraising and donor engagement plan will be used to build and manage a capital campaign to raise money, outside of the $13 million bond, to pay for the additional features, including a second gym and meeting space for the city’s social service and health partners.
The funding would include grants from the state, federal agencies, local, regional and national foundations and private donors.
“The consultant is the first step in creating a complex package in order to get funding for the best facility possible for the community,” J.C. Kennedy, parks, recreation and community services director, said.
Development of the fundraising plan includes assessing internal capacity and needs of the city, including the requirements of the fundraising committee, which will be comprised of staff and volunteers.
The consultant will also have to develop a fundraising strategy and timeline, events and cultivate donors. They will also need to write grant proposals to local, state and national foundations and corporations. Back in 2004, the city developed a feasibility analysis for grant funding opportunities when it attempted to pass a $5 million bond to pay for construction of a recreation center. Kennedy said the consultant would pick up where that study left off.
He or she will provide progress reports to Kennedy.
“We’re going to look at who is going to be the best fit for this role,” Kennedy said. “We’re hoping to get a couple of good proposals and then decide.”
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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