The parks and recreational areas and facilities that we all need for exercise, sightseeing or tranquil reflection often are in need of fund raising, too. Holmes, Radford & Avalon has worked throughout the Midwest developing programs to ensure that these local, state or national facilities have enough capital to continue providing their much-utilized services.

Our campaigns have benefited such recreational entities as:

• YMCAs and YWCAs;
• Zoos;
• Boys & Girls Clubs;
• nature centers;
• historic sites;
• aquatic and recreational centers;
• memorials;
• sports, wellness and physical fitness facilities;
• travel and tourism.

We have instituted a number of successful fund raising elements for these groups, including capital campaigns, feasibility studies, community foundations, annual funds, major gifts campaigns and strategic planning. Some of the organizations we have helped specifically are:

• Commemorative Air Force (St. Charles, MO);
• Camp Wartburg (Waterloo, IL);
• Oshkosh Community YMCA (Oshkosh, WI);
• Shelbyville Family Aquatic Center (Shelbyville, IL);
• Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation (East St. Louis, IL);
• Irvine Park Zoological Society (Eau Claire, WI);
• Liberty Memorial (Kansas City, MO);
• McLean County YWCA (Bloomington, IL);
• St. Louis National Charity Horse Show (MO);
• Quincy Family YMCA (Quincy, IL);
• Tri-City YMCA (Granite City, IL);
• Hostelling International, Gateway Council (St. Louis);
• Governor’s Council on Health and Physical Fitness (Indianapolis);
• Humane Society of Missouri (St. Louis, MO); and
• RC 10 Racquet/Health Club (Decorah, IA).

Our approach to solving fund raising challenges of parks and recreational facilities is the same as for health care institutions, social service organizations and other groups: Learn their key messages and goals, seek out potential donors and form a unifying bridge between the two that all sides can find fulfilling and inspiring.