Funding Sources for Downtown Organizations

8-1/2" x 11", softcover, 16 pages,
Downtown Research & Development Center, $39.95.

Now, more than ever, downtown organizations are evaluating their funding options and looking for new and better ways to raise the money needed for their on-going activities.

Funding Sources for Downtown Organizations provides an in-depth look at how downtown organizations of all kinds are funded and points to new opportunities and approaches.

Based on a survey conducted in February 2010, the report considers:

Which funding sources are being used most frequently by six different types of downtown organization.
How much each of those sources is contributing to the organization’s overall budget.
Budget changes over time by organization type.

It’s the data you need to benchmark your own operations and to point the direction to new or improved funding sources.

The data is supplemented by descriptive text, comments from survey participants, and a funding focus section, which looks at the funding approaches of four very different downtown organizations.

1. Introduction: Downtown organizations remain strong

Breakdown of respondents by city population

Breakdown of respondents by location

Breakdown of respondents by type of organization
2. Funding sources used by downtown organizations, summary data

Number of funding sources used by downtown organizations

Funding sources used by downtown organizations, showing share using each source
3. Where do the funds come from? Breakdowns by organization type Funding sources for chambers of commerce Funding sources for downtown associations Funding sources for hybrid organizations Funding sources for Main Street Programs Funding sources for merchants’ associations Funding sources for special assessment districts
4. How much does each source contribute? Breakdowns by organization type Funding source allocation for chambers of commerce Funding source allocation for downtown associations Funding source allocation for hybrid organizations Funding source allocation for Main Street Programs Funding source allocation for merchants’ associations Funding source allocation for special assessment districts
5. Budget changes and opportunities

Changes in overall budget, summary data

Changes in overall budget by organization type
6. Conclusion: Diversifying funding is more important than ever
7. Funding snapshots

Main Street Program: One hundred percent of funds come from fundraising campaign conducted every third year

Business Improvement District: Increasing assessments and fundraising events move BID from red to black

Downtown Association: Dwindling city funds force association to consider long-term sustainability

Main Street Program: Finding a home and thriving as an affiliate of the Chamber of Commerce

Funding Sources for Downtown Organizations

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