Go Fund Me page to raise funds for Lombard Lilac Parade
Lombard Lilac Parade organizers have created a Go Fund Me page in their latest effort to raise more money for the parade and reduce their dependence on the village for funding.
The page, www.gofundme.com/lilacparade2017, aims to raise at least $2,000 before the parade, which is scheduled for May 21, 2017.
"We know there are a lot of people in town who would like to donate and this allows them to donate whatever they feel they can without a lot of interaction," Lilac Parade Chairwoman Ellyn Murphy said. "We are not going door-to-door, or to other organizations asking for funding, as much as we have in the past."
For years, the village has used funding from its hotel/motel tax to cover most of the parade costs, but it has recently been urging groups that receive money through the tax to come up with at least half of their own funding.
To raise money for the 2016 parade, organizers launched two new fundraisers - an adult Easter egg hunt and a downtown wine walk - that together raised about $6,000. Organizers plan to sponsor both events again in the spring.
The parade committee also secured about $6,000 in sponsorships for the 2016 parade and hope to bring in a similar amount of money again next year. Murphy said the committee is hopeful its new 501c3 status will help increase donations, too.
"We were always a not-for-profit, but last year we got our 501c3. That means if people give us money, they can take that off on their taxes," she said. "(The village) helped us get the certificate. We had tried to do it a couple of different times, but we didn't have the money or expertise."
Costs for the parade amount to about $40,000 to $45,000 each year and include paid performers and parade units, insurance, barricades and overtime costs for police, firefighters and public works personnel.
"This is a community event," Murphy said. "As much support as we can get from the community, the better."
Aside from donations, volunteers are always needed to serve on planning committees and assist on the day of the parade. For information, like Lombard Lilac Festival Parade on Facebook, call (630) 415-2079 or visit www.lombardlilacparade.com.