Fundraising for Economic Development in Marquette County

Posted by on September 25, 2018

Fundraising. Often times the very activity that is needed to sustain and grow a non-profit organization or event. As someone who is responsible for it in my organization, I can tell you first-hand how difficult it can be at times. For you as a business or community supporter, I am sure it can be just as frustrating sifting through all the worthy events, sponsorship, memberships, campaigns, etc. year round. Yet, your commitment of financial resources is the lifeblood of so many organizations, allowing them to accomplish their mission. And it is appreciated.

Economic development has an added challenge when it comes to funding the programs and services we provide to businesses and entrepreneurs. Sometimes it is hard to “sell” the notion that investing in your local economic development organization (EDO) can make a difference in your company and your community. If economic development is successful in a community, you will see regional wealth indicators rise, such as population, median household income, tax revenue, homes sales, etc. This means that more people are gainfully employed, spending dollars locally while paying taxes that fund our parks, trails, police and fire. A healthy community is a prime driver to attract new business, residents and tourists.

At the LSCP, we are grateful for our many investors and partners. For 20 years you have supported economic development in our region, and have been part of making a difference. We continue to ask, and you continue to give, not only of your financial resources but your human capital as well.

Well as you might expect, we do have a couple fall funding opportunities that you may be interested in taking advantage of. The first is a new fundraiser, Family Feud – Partnership Edition with acclaimed game show host Rick Rhoades of WLUC TV6! Four company teams will face off to become Feud Champions on November 1 at the Masonic Building.

Interested in being one of the three remaining teams? (Shout out to UPHP for grabbing a spot already!)  Consider a sponsorship (thanks AT&T for committing to being the Survey Sponsor!). Want to simply attend the event; purchase tickets for your staff or clients? We can fit a budget of any size! You can contact Ashley in our office for more information at ashley@marquette.org.

Lastly, if you are unable to attend or simply want to vote for your favorite team, there will be an option to do so in advance. Fifty percent of the dollars raised from voting will go to a charity of the championship team’s choice! So come on and help us celebrate the end of our 20th anniversary year while raising money for several good causes.

I want to remind you we do have other options to support economic development including becoming an LSCP partner or engaging in our “Fund the Future” campaign. For more information on the campaign, please call or email me directly at aclickner@marquette.org.

To become an LSCP investor, check out the tiered levels and benefits on our website at www.marquette.org or call Kennan Marana at 906.226.6591 ext. 105.

Since 2006, we have provided 3,317 one on one business consultations with companies of all shapes and sizes. Did you know that for every dollar invested in the LSCP in 2017, we helped facilitate another $314 in new investment in the community?  Now that’s what I call a return on your investment!

Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.

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