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The Park is sustained by significant volunteerism from many audiences: <br />•Board members are all volunteers and invest significant time in governance issues as well as <br />special areas where their expertise is needed. <br />•There are dozens of people who generously provide their skills and labor to develop and <br />maintain our facilities,equipment,trails system,etc.and to communicate bout and promote <br />the Park.This season we had two construction companies donate labor and materials to <br />build a large judges stand and a maintenance shed valued at a total of over $20,000. <br />•Approximately 25 people are involved in fundraising efforts of various kinds including small <br />gatherings,grant writing,sponsorship solicitations and our first-ever auction dinner gala <br />event this November 12th at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish. <br />•Last but not least,the vast majority of events we host are organized by non-profit groups <br />that are staffed by volunteers. <br />Not counting this last category,we estimate that volunteerism accounts for a minimum of 4,000 <br />hours per year which equates to a value of $115,960 based on a multiplier of $28.99 per hour <br />(Washington state rate from Independentsector.org). <br />We are continually reviewing grant criteria and applying where consideration seems hopeful.We've <br />found that since the Park doesn't neatly fit the definition of a "youth",conservation","social <br />services"or "education"organization,it's been very difficult to obtain grant support.In 2017 we <br />intend to apply to Puget Sound Energy,Suncadia and the United States Equestrian Federation-1 <br />must be noted,however,that the vast majority of grants and private contributions are restricted to <br />site improvement projects and can't be used for operating needs such as promotions and marketing. <br />We intend to explore opportunities to work with Destination Marketing Organizations for media buys <br />and Association Development Organization for additional grant possibilities. <br />If this project can't be funded,we would be forced to cut back significantly on our marketing <br />activities and materials,and to rely almost exclusively on digital media to communicate with our <br />target audiences for ongoing and new events.That would severely weaken our ability to engage <br />them.That in turn would slow down our progress in filling the calendar and funding needed <br />improvements,which would adversely affect the related economic benefits the Park could generate. <br />5.How does the Park collaborate and form partnerships with other organizations,groups or other <br />events to encourage county-wide tourism? <br />We distribute information about the local community and activities at the new literature racks <br />installed at the Park's visitors'registration booth and office.Our website links to the Live Life in <br />Color county website,Cle Elum's "This Is How We Do","MyEllensburg",Suncadia,which in turn like <br />to the Chamber's digital Visitors'Guide and to the county's accomodation's link. <br />We work with others as follows: <br />Cle Elum Roundup Board The Park's Executive Director frequently attends the <br />Roundup Board meetings and works on the Marketing <br />Committee to promote and produce this 3-year-old keystone <br />event. <br />6