Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Ernie Shaw, Interim Director
CC:
Date:	Thursday, March 4, 2010
RE:	Sponsorship Follow-Up

The following information is provided as an update on staff progress in developing a program allowing sponsorship of certain parks and recreation programming and space based on City Commission direction during development of the 2010 budget.

As you know, our department has long relied on area businesses and organizations to support programs and activities. Over the past several years, between $25,000 and $60,000 has been received annually in support of programs, activities and initiatives through gift in-kind donations from area businesses.  This support ranges from food donations for Daddy-Daughter Date Night to monetary donations to purchase basketballs for youth sports programs.

In the 2010 budget, the City Commission directed staff to identify ways to raise additional funds through sponsorships. Staff has completed its research and has developed sponsorship opportunities for banners at our indoor and outdoor facilities, naming rights for the South Park Wading Pool, as well as sponsorships for the Lawrence City Band.  Donation boxes have also been placed in all city-owned recreation centers’ weight/cardio rooms, as well as at Prairie Park Nature Center to defray operational costs.

Also at the nature center, individuals may purchase ceramic tiles that they can decorate and then have displayed at the nature center. We are also developing an “adopt-an-animal” feature for our Web site, so citizens can assist in the care of the animals at the nature center, which should be completed in the near future. 

We will aggressively attempt to raise the additional revenue through sponsorships, but we are also sensitive to other agencies that also rely on area businesses for support.

Please find attached the sponsorship flyer we have begun mailing out to area businesses and to those with whom we do business, as well as our sponsorship application.