Corporate Sponsors & Grant Money for Re-enactors

[Ozark Iron John]

Hey you all, I've had an idea.

Don't fall all over yourselves, I have 'em from time to time. I try to use this thing on my shoulders for more'n a hat rack.

Anyway, I was wondering, how many of you all have any experience soliciting money to support your re-enacting activities? Do you ever get corporate sponsors? Do you ever get grant money? How and for what?

I'm reluctant to spill the beans in a public forum, but ... I've had an idea.

I need some assisstance applying for sponsors and grants. Who's with me you all? If you run down this path a ways, you might find out it pans out.

[johan_steele]

Ozark, if you don't have non profit status don't bother applying for assistance from Wal Mart or any other large corporation and the same is true of Federal and most state Grants. For what it's worth the Federal & State Grants require extensive business plans of what you plan to do w/ the money.

Individual sponsers & smaller business are a different matter entirely.

[Ozark Iron John]

Originally Posted by johan_steele

Ozark, if you don't have non profit status don't bother applying for assistance from Wal Mart or any other large corporation and the same is true of Federal and most state Grants. For what it's worth the Federal & State Grants require extensive business plans of what you plan to do w/ the money.

Individual sponsers & smaller business are a different matter entirely.

johann_steele! Thank you for your prompt response. I appreciate your willingness to share your experience. That is exactly what a forum like this'n here is designed for, I believe. If all of us contribute just a little, we're more'n likely to find something that will benefit each of us.

As you know, I'm a cavalry guy. I walked with the infantry for two weekends back in the mid 80's. When I was in good shape and willing to hump. Not no more. I like to ride to work now.

I have received powder and horse bounties from school districts and historical societies. I strugle with the cost of maintaining a pair of civil war trained horses. I am lookin' for ways to offset some of that cost. I imagine others are too.

I ain't tryin' to make a buck although that would be nice.

I never thought about forming a "Not for Profit" entity. What does that entail?

I know how to write a business plan and I reckon my proposal might ought to take that format when approaching potential corporate sponsors but I ain't never even thought about writing a grant.

Does anybody have a template or something I may use as a guide?