Set Up Guide

New Splash Pad Fundraiser

Program Overview: Splash pads are one of the most popular recreation amenities for families—providing safe, accessible, and fun water play during the summer. But installation requires significant investment, from water features and pumps to surfacing and seating. A New Splash Pad Fundraiser gives cities and parks departments a practical way to bring businesses, organizations, and families together to help cover costs. The result is a community water play destination that promotes family activity, supports local pride, and provides long-term value to residents.

Set Up Guide for a New Splash Pad Fundraiser

1. Define Goals and Donation 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 splash pad is being added—whether to increase family recreation opportunities, expand access to free summer activities, or modernize outdated park facilities.
Set a Fundraising Goal and Show Progress: Share a clear financial goal, such as $150,000 for the full splash pad installation, and keep donors engaged by displaying progress milestones. A visual tracker builds excitement and accountability.
Set Donation Levels: Create giving tiers that welcome both small individual gifts and larger business or corporate contributions. Smaller tiers keep the fundraiser accessible to families, while higher levels provide opportunities for organizations to support major features or milestones.
Show the Impact: Show families what their contributions will mean with design renderings, photos of similar splash pads, or testimonials from other communities. Bringing the vision to life inspires people to give.

Tips for

Successful Fundraisers

Celebrate Milestones: Share updates when fundraising goals are met, equipment arrives, or installation begins - keeping the community engaged.
Tie Donation Tiers to Features: Connect giving levels to splash pad elements like sprayers, jets, or benches so donors feel part of the build.
Engage Businesses: Invite local companies to sponsor larger features like pavilions, shade areas, or water towers for added recognition.

2. Make the Donation Process Easy for Supporters

Donors are more likely to give when the process is quick, convenient, and trustworthy. Ensuring multiple ways to give broadens participation across all donor types.

Easy-to-Use Donation Pages: Create a donation page so donors can learn about the new splash pad 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?

Fundraisers that share design renderings often see a 15% boost in giving — donors love to see the end result.

3. Tracking, Communication, and Recognition

Strong organization ensures that every contribution is honored and every donor feels connected to the project. Transparent tracking and thoughtful outreach build trust for future campaigns.

Track Contributions Clearly: Record donations by donor, amount, and type while ensuring each transaction is processed correctly.
Coordinate Donor Communication: Share personalized thank-yous, progress updates, and event milestones such as groundbreaking or ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Regular communication keeps donors engaged.
Report and Stay Transparent: Share exactly how contributions are being used, from installing splash jets to building shaded seating. Visibility encourages continued giving.
Recognize All Donors: Acknowledge every gift, large or small, through plaques, signage at the splash pad, or public thank-yous at community events. Recognition builds lasting loyalty.