There is little doubt in anyone's mind that when your shopping area has a clean, festive atmosphere, buyers will come to spend.  An excellent example of this is Las Vegas, Nevada. When the hotels and Casinos started moving out to the edge of town to the "Strip", the merchants downtown decided to add something that pulled people back in. They got together and redid Frontier Street into a massive "outdoor" entertainment area. They covered the street for a number of blocks and turned it into a massive movie display with lights, sound, visual effects, entertainment, etc.  That got people's attention! Now they have large crowds every day, all day.

Now, not just any town can do that nor have the funding to do something that creative. Neither do most towns have the right setup to do it.  Primarily though it's about funding. Unless you have a lot of Casino and a Main Street that lends itself to that kind of design you're going to need something a little more modest.

That is where Decoration Funding Comes In.

• Totally fund new decorations.
• Have a dedicated group of donors willingly lining up each year 
  to help pay for those decorations.
• Learn new sources of where to find decoration ideas.
• Discover the secrets to having a "successful" fund raiser.
• How to raise thousands of dollars with just $45.00 starting capital.
• Keep the cost completely off your budget.
• Get a ton of FREE publicity for your program.
• Have the local merchants applauding your creative genius.
• Have the funds available to expand your Shopping Area Decorating.
• Decorate for other Holidays or Events.

We can show you where to go to get the Decorations, either Outdoor or Indoor.  We will link you to companies that specialize in creative Displays that will wow your shoppers.

But more importantly, we can show you how to fund the Decorations!  On the following pages you will see some excellent ideas that have proven themselves time and time again.  We will also show you how to implement the program, fund it if need be, organize it effectively with a minimum of time investment, and allow you to see how other towns have done it successfully.

Today there is a lot of competition for people's attention and shopping expenditures. With the advent of shopping on line, the dynamics of what is happening to "Main Street" shopping cannot be over-stated.  These shopping areas truly need to become more competitive, more interesting, and be a more "festive" area to go shopping in. 

People will shop where 

• they feel invited
• there are some good bargains,
• where they are welcomed and 
• where there is a festive mood.

One of the things that get people into a buying spirit quickly is a happy, festive atmosphere.  Unfortunately budgets do not always allow you to do many of the things that you would like to do.  If the funding isn't there it doesn't matter how badly you need them, the Decoration Companies aren't going to donate them to you. 

You need to raise the funds.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS YOU CAN USE RIGHT AWAY.  

	A repeat or residual fundraiser can fund an expense for years and years with minimal work
	Starting and running a fundraising campaign DOES NOT have to require tons of volunteers
	Fundraising DOES NOT mean you have to HASSEL folks to become donors

Limited Edition Collectibles

People collect all kinds of things: stamps, coins, knives, hats, ornaments, plates, mugs, logo imprinted golf balls, thimbles, spoon... the list goes on and on.  If you create a unique collectible your buying public will collect it.  However, if you create one that ties in community history and pride you will certainly have an eager audience willing to support it. Listed below are some examples. Best of all, every program can be run very easily by just one staff person or volunteer.

Because the proceeds will directly benefit the merchants in town they are very receptive to displaying them in their stores.  However, we caution not to put them in more than six (6) locations lest they lose the "limited edition" look.  Too many locations do not give the impression they are "limited".  Many times the merchants will eagerly volunteer space for display since the accompanying advertising will drive buyers into their store. That FREE advertising is priceless.

 
Treasured Scenes Limited Edition Tree Ornaments

Originally created in 1982, by Keystone Specialties, Inc. *  this program has grown considerably over the years.  Beginning with just two towns, there are now hundreds of towns and organizations participating, every year, in this unique fund raising program. What makes it so successful is that everyone wins.  Using an historical building, school, mascot, logo, etc. from the local community, a themed ornament is created with the intent of feature a new building (or Scene) of historical nature each year thus creating an "annuity" program. (Click here to go directly to Treasured Scenes Ornaments)

The folks that purchase them do so for the historical memories and to support the sponsoring organization knowing that all the proceeds are going for the Town's Decorations.  It is also not uncommon for the buyers to purchase more than one each year.  They will give them or store them for their children as mementos of where they grew up.  And, they will buy them every year since they are a Limited Edition.  They won't want to miss a single one in the series.

 
EVERYONE WINS

The Decorating Committee wins because the money raised no longer comes from the sponsor's budget OR assessments.  The Sponsor wins due to the recognition received for sponsoring a project that promotes local history.  The Town wins because there are now nice Decorations on display for year round events creating an attractive and festive shopping district.  The Merchants win because they no longer have to fund the program.  The Buyers win because they can purchase a Limited Edition Collectible that will become a family heirloom.  This project has towns that have been creating Treasured Scenes Ornaments for 25 years.

Each ornament is individually boxed as shown above and usually sells for $12.00 to $15.00 each.  There are a variety of color combinations and the Client Services Representatives at Keystone Specialties, Inc. are very knowledgeable and helpful.  What makes this company so unique is they actually answer the phone when you call them during their regular business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm EST).  (Click here to go directly to Treasured Scenes Ornaments)

Treasured Scenes Limited Edition Coins and Medallions.

The original idea for raising funds for Street Decorations came from a little town in Pennsylvania some 26+ year ago.  It seems the merchants were having a rough time (even back then) raising the necessary money to purchase some badly needed Decoration for Main Street.

The idea they came up with was to create a Limited Edition Coin featuring the building on one side and a brief history of the building on the back.  They would mint a specific quantity and when they sold out that was all they would make thus making them a true Collector's Coin.  The coins became so popular that they raised enough money to expand the Decorations to the side streets as well. (Click here to go directly to Treasured Scenes Coins)

The merchants were really delighted as they were being "accessed" every year just to maintain what they had.  As we all realize, no one likes to be "accessed" even if it actually benefits them.  To learn how easy and successful this program can be call Keystone Specialties, Inc TOLL FREE 1-800-240-8639

 
Treasured Scenes Mugs

A number of years ago, Nescafe Coffee designed a mug with a sketched globe of the world printed on them.  Some of you reading this may even have some of those mugs. What most people don't realize though is. . .  that was one of Nescafe's most successful promotions in their entire history.  This was a clear glass mug (about 8-10 oz.) and the imprint was an ink that made it look like it was etched into the glass.  Even felt somewhat like etching.

With that mug in mind, Keystone Specialties, Inc created a series of mugs that could work with that same type of imprint or with a more traditional ink color.  However, the mugs that have continued to sell the best continue to utilize the "satin etch" ink imprint.  With the look and feel of etching yet at about 1/3 the cost, it's easy to see why they continue to have buyers and collectors returning time and time again.

What makes this mug such a collectible is the design, the history depicted, the low cost, the fact that the proceeds directly benefit the community and that the Treasured Scenes Logo is a nationally registered trademark.  There are towns that have done two mugs a year and people just couldn't wait to get the next one in the series.  They would be calling the sponsor trying to find out what was going to be depicted next.  Usually there are 4-6 buildings or subjects on each mug with the subject name and date built. (Click here to go directly to Treasured Scenes Mugs) 

A properly structured fundraising program can raise literally thousands for your towns Holiday and events decorations budget, while promoting your organization throughout your local area.

We are happy to offer "Fund Raising Made Easy" as a Complimentary Guide to the TIPS and TRICKS of effective fund raising. We are sure you will find this FREE resource extremely useful in planning your decoration budget, and alternative ways for funding all kinds of expenses.

 
Custom Afghans and Woven Pillows 

LITTLE OR NO FUNDS AVAILABLE? NO PROBLEM! This program was designed with only one thing in mind. Supply a program that could raise lots of money, quickly, with almost no funds available to start with. For just $45.00 you can have created a single piece of a TOTALLY CUSTOM 48" x 68", 100% pre-shrunk cotton, 2-1/2 layer Afghan or an 18" x 18" woven pillow.

Typically a custom woven Afghan can cost as much as $300.00 just for the weaving card. But, Keystone Specialties, Inc. has created this special offer to produce a sample of either the Afghan or the Pillow for just $45.00. This is an incredible offer and here's why.

All you need to do is order the first piece and TAKE ORDERS for a couple of weeks. Everyone placing their order pays for it up front! You have your funds right away! Then you just use the remainder of your pre-collected funds to pay for the items to full fill your orders on delivery approximately 3-5 weeks later. With the minimum quantity of just 25 pieces ANY TOWN, no matter how large or small the population, can get that many orders. Even if for some strange reason you are not able to secure the minimum 25 orders needed, your organization is not obligated to purchase any additional pieces. If that isn't enough to convince even the greatest skeptic; consider this, you could always raffle the set-up sample and make at least enough money to cover your initial $45.00 investment. Now that truly is RISK FREE.  ( click here to go directly to Treasured Scenes fundraisers)

 
Treasured Scenes Collector's Plates and Trivets

Here is another great LITTLE OR NO AVAILABLE FUNDS program.  With all the historic buildings around your area it's not real hard to come up with anywhere from 6 to 12 subjects in which to create a Limited Edition Collector's Series for either the Plates of Trivets.  If you have a hard time identifying subjects, contact your local historical or genealogical society. They'll give you more subjects than you could probably use.  Be careful though.  They may want to use the program to fund their projects too.  In fact, if your group decides not to use any of the projects shown, why not recommend this site to them?  They could probably use the resource.

Set up similar to the Afghans and Pillows there is just a $45.00 charge to receive a pre-production sample to take orders from.  There is so little risk with a program of this nature it just doesn't make any sense at all not to try it. There is NOTHING TO LOSE!

With today's digital technology, your photograph can be reproduced with remarkable clarity.  Or, if you prefer the "Line Drawing" look, the photo can be converted as well. There are numerous styles and sizes to choose from.

Although the quality of the pieces depicting line drawings is very good due to the quality of the drawing being created, nothing sells like full color. You should consider full color whenever pricing will allow it.  Call TOLL FREE 1-800-240-8639, 8:00am to 5:00pm EST and ask for Client Services for your state.


*Keystone Specialties, Inc is a nationally recognized promotional products company founded in 1988.  They specialize in creative promotional and fund raising projects for non-profit organizations.  For more information visit their web site at www.KeystoneSpecialties.com