The Sample Proposal is designed for a capital campaign or a major gift request. It is very different from a direct mail letter designed for a household mailing. A capital campaign proposal is likely going to be used after a meeting has taken place. It will provide the information needed for a formal request and is designed to meet the requirements of different types of reviewers as the proposal is passed from one level of approval to another in a company.  It is also different from a sponsorship proposal that will highlight the number of impressions and logo placements.

The sample proposal shown below can be used for corporate donations, foundation grant requests and individual major gifts. For sample purposes, we have not included any photos, which can be added, especially if the request is for something tangible, like a building. Photos of people enjoying the program are also a good idea.

Introduction

When it comes to showing corporate and individual support for History Park, the management and employees of Great Western Railway are without equal.  History Park opened on July 4, 1954, with a collection of 22 historical buildings, eight miles of railway track and a working Great Western Railway steam train.  Since those early days, Great Western Railway has played a pivotal role in helping us with our collection of trains and tracks.

Every year our visitors tell us that a highlight of the History experience at the Park is the train ride, which, thanks in large measure to Great Western Railway, now encompasses the entire Park.  In addition, the locomotives located along Main Street are beloved historical icons that for years have silently invited every passerby to come and explore the past.

Complementing the excitement of seeing and experiencing the trains at History Park is our very popular educational program, Railways of the West.  This program allows us to share with visitors and students alike the important role Great Western Railway played in the history of our country.  We are able to provide our guests with an experience of what those historic train rides to the West would have been like through our exhibits and several interactive activities.  Telling the story of the settlement of the West starts with telling the story of Great Western Railway and for this reason we view our partnership to be of vital importance to our future.

Our Vision

In light of the increasing demands of a rapidly growing city and on the heels of celebrating our Jubilee anniversary, we believe the Park is well positioned to move forward with a significant redevelopment and expansion effort.  Our railway exhibits, related educational programming and guest amenities form an important part of our plans.  After careful consideration of our needs and with input from senior executives at Great Western Railway, the following campaign items have been identified as part of the Park’s vision for the future.

A key part of our Proposal is the Great Western Railway Orientation Centre. We are asking your consideration of a cash donation of $1,500,000 over three years to build this new facility.

Modeled after the original Great Western Railway Town Train Station, the proposed History Park Orientation Centre will be built as part of the development of Park lands west of our existing front gate.  As part of the new development of these lands, the existing front gate will be removed and Park visitors will be introduced to their History experience with a new arrivals plaza.

Given that History Park and trains are synonymous in many people’s minds we felt it was appropriate that the first building guests see upon arriving at the Park be a replica train station.  The proposed Orientation Centre will act as a key point of arrival for easy access to the entrance and an orientation opportunity for our guests.

Key features of the new Orientation Centre will include an audio-visual orientation room, a food court and a gift shop.  One of the most distinguishing features of our new Orientation Centre will be its location and view as visitors and guests will be able to enjoy the History Park trademark views of the mountains to the west.  The new Great Western Railway Orientation Centre will become a frequently visited facility serving many purposes for years to come. 

In addition to the Orientation Centre, we are asking Great Western Railway to consider the following projects as part of the redevelopment of History Park:

Refurbishment of the Club Car............................................... estimated value of $300,000

The Great Western Railway Club Car is a rare and significant artifact from our country’s history that History Park is very fortunate to have in our collection.  Originally built in the Great Western Railway Angus Shops in 1912 the purpose of the Club Car was to transport immigrant families to their new homes in the West.  The Club Car will always be a tangible reminder of the hopes, dreams and hardships that characterized the lives of the people who settled this land.

Over the course of its life span the car has suffered weathering and water damage, it is no longer road worthy and the stairs and platforms are no longer safe for use.  In order to ensure this important piece of our collection endures to inspire and delight present and future generations it requires restoration and renovation.

We want to restore the Club Car to its original appearance and operating condition.  Complete with its wood sides, wooden slat benches and fold-down berths, it is a wonderful example of what second-class transportation was like in those early days.

Once restored, the Club Car will play a key role in our educational program providing unique and memorable interactive insights into the typical train ride to the West Canada at the turn of the 20^th Century. 

Refurbishment of the Steam Crane........................................ estimated value of $100,000

History Park is the proud owner of the Steam Crane.  The Steam Crane requires restoration and maintenance work valued at approximately $50,000.

This steam crane was built in 1919 by the Bucyrus Company, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serial no. 181, for the Great Western Railway.  With an in-service weight of 75 tons, the crane has a 100 ton lifting capacity.  The unit is coal fired and its main carriage is 25’ – 02” in length.  This steam crane and tender were in active service in the West until the mid-1960’s.  The Great Western Railway donated the crane to History Park on its retirement.

Former MF & M flatcar No. 53 flatcar is displayed with the crane as an idler, accommodating the jib in its lowered position.  Although the crane did not originally have its own tender, it was paired with 5,000 gallon ex-steam locomotive in 1953.  History Park acquired the tender in 1996 through a three-way trade.

Relocation of Streetcar Track............................................... Estimated Value of $100,000

Our desire is to continue to enhance and enrich the experience of our visitors while at the same time addressing the growing need we have for increased parking space and an improved front gate.  One of our most urgent priorities is to facilitate better access to the Park by lowering the hill at the front entrance and moving the gate closer to 16^th Street.  We will also be developing several new exhibits in this same area.  In order to properly facilitate these changes and continue to move our guests through the Park, we need to relocate our streetcar track and make an even bigger part of our guest experience.

Our vision is that the relocation of the track will ensure the street car is visible from 16^th Street as it travels through our parking areas and new historical street.  Passersby will be intrigued at the sight and passengers will have a more enjoyable History experience as they disembark near the Midtown Train Station and move on from there to enjoy the Park and all it has to offer.

Make Our Vision Reality

To implement our vision for (1) the development of our Orientation Centre, (2) the refurbishment of our invaluable exhibit pieces, and (3) the relocation of the Park’s Street Car Track we are asking Great Western Railway to consider a leadership donation that comprises cash, gift-in-kind and support from your suppliers.

Our proposal is that Great Western Railway consider a cash contribution of $1,500,000 for the construction of our proposed Orientation Centre and a gift-in-kind of the refurbishment of the Club Car, the refurbishment of the Steam Crane and the relocation of the street car track, for a total contribution valued at $2,000,000.  

Recognition Opportunities

We anticipate the combination of a cash donation and gift-in-kind support will result in a total donation of $2 million.  A donation of that significance deserves appropriate recognition which we will be pleased to provide.  We believe this aspect of our partnership can prove exciting and innovative for both the Park and Great Western Railway.

We offer the following for your consideration:

1. Title sponsorship of our new Orientation Centre (i.e., the Great Western Railway Orientation Centre).
2. Appropriate naming recognition in the Club Car, Steam Crane and Streetcar Station.
3. Invitation to Grand Openings.
4. VIP Tours of New Facilities while they are under construction.
5. Feature Article in our Newsletter with distribution to your employees.
6. Signage in main museum.
7. News Spot on television.
8. Daily newspaper announcements.
9. Your logo with a link on our website.

We hope you see how your support can benefit the Park while proving valuable for you and your employees.  We are open to your ideas and suggestions for how our partnership can be mutually beneficial.

Summary

Nothing symbolizes the West’s history better than the railway and Great Western Railway. For decades History Park and Great Western Railway have enjoyed a rather unique relationship.  As History Park embarks upon a critical redevelopment and revitalization program we ask Great Western Railway to recommit to the Park with a leadership donation that continues our partnership into the future. Thank you for giving serious consideration to our request. We especially thank you for your past generous support of History Park.