Set Up Guide

New Nature Center Fundraiser

Program Overview: Building a nature center is a major investment in education, conservation, and community engagement. For park systems and municipalities, these facilities become long-term assets that provide hands-on learning, family recreation, and environmental stewardship. A New Nature Center Fundraiser brings together businesses, organizations, and families to help fund construction and opening costs, ensuring the project has broad community ownership and support.

Set Up Guide for a New Nature Center Fundraiser Fundraiser

1. Outline Goals and Options

Donors want to understand both the purpose of your campaign and the practical ways they can help. Share the story of the project through visuals and copy, then outline donation tiers. This helps donors see exactly how their support contributes to the project’s success.

Define the Purpose: Explain why the nature center is needed—whether to expand educational programming, protect natural areas, or provide a year-round community hub. Clear purpose gives donors confidence that their contributions will serve the public good.
Establish a Clear Goal: Set a fundraising target tied to construction or opening milestones. Use a progress bar and celebrate milestones publicly to build momentum.
Set Donation Levels: Offer giving tiers that are accessible to both families and local businesses, ensuring everyone can participate. Theme each tier around a project feature—like trail signage, classroom supplies, exhibit installations, or habitat development—so supporters feel connected to a specific part of the nature center.
Show the Impact: Share design renderings, site plans, or concept images so donors can visualize what their gifts will help build. Visual proof makes contributions feel more tangible.

Tips for

Successful Fundraisers

Use Project Renderings: Share concept drawings or 3D visuals of the center so donors can see what their contributions will help build.
Tie Tiers to Features: Connect giving levels to specific elements like a classroom, exhibit, or trailhead—so donors feel ownership of the project.
Celebrate Milestones: Post updates at key points (groundbreaking, framing, installation) to keep momentum alive and show progress.

2. Make the Process Easy for Donors

Donors are more likely to participate when giving is quick and simple. The smoother the process, the more success your fundraiser will have.

Easy-to-Use Donation Pages: Create a donation page so donors can learn about the new nature center and can contribute anytime, anywhere.
Multiple Payment Options: Offer choices like credit or debit card, ACH Bank transfer, or even cash and check payments. This flexibility ensures everyone can give in the way that is most comfortable for them.
Automatic Donation Receipts: Ensure every donor is sent a tax-deductible donation receipt so they have the documentation they need at tax time.

Did You Know?

Adding a public progress tracker can increase campaign participation by 35% as donors feel motivated to help reach the goal.

3. Stay Organized

Strong organization simplifies administration and provides reliable financial oversight, freeing staff to focus on growing the campaign and ensuring the fundraiser delivers consistent, measurable results.

Organize Donors and Donations: Record contributions by donor, amount, and type to keep data accurate and reporting simple.
Coordinate Communication: Schedule thank-yous, progress updates, and milestone celebrations to keep outreach consistent.
Thank Your Donors: Publicly acknowledge both small and large gifts. Whether it’s a personal thank-you or shout-outs on social media, donor recognition helps drive more community support.

Start Raising Funds For Your New Nature Center!

Book a Demo →

Contact Us