Who should I write to for funding/donations?

[hartleymartin]

I live at a small college in Sydney's west. We had a string of bicycle thefts in the last 12 months - mostly bicycles which were not properly secured and taken by opportunistic by-passing thieves. We've never had a proper bicycle parking facility, aside from a metal rail along one wall which isn't enough and a couple of hooks on the wall.

I'm negotiating with the grounds manager about getting some sort of bicycle parking facility put in - something in the order of say 8 U-rails in a concrete slab with a roof to keep the rain off and maybe some solar-charged LED lights to light them up at night.

Are there any groups which I can go to in order to apply for funding or donations for some of the hardware? I'm thinking the U-rails at least, since the roof can be 4 posts and some corrugated iron sheet.

One of our country students suggested getting a bike shed from a closed down school, but there probably hasn't been a bike shed in the Sydney metropolitan region since the 80's.

[CommuRider]

1. Your college as general amenities

2. Council if the racks are going to be on public land.

I think 1 is more compelling though- should be part of student services etc. City of Sydney has provided funding for local schools and bike parking.

I think funders will find it hard to fund something on private land and which technically is a college responsibility.

[AUbicycles]

If you can (in a friendly manner) petition them - and deliver a heap of signatures, this will make the paper harder to screw up and toss in the rubbish.

I suggest an aim of the letter is to present the proposal and ask for a meeting - once you get face to face it will be much easier and quicker to sell than by writing.

Cheers
Christopher