1. If at all possible, share “The Gold Boot Guy” with another school on the same day. The fee and travel can then be split. Or, if two schools use consecutive days, at least the airfare can be divided equally. Also, working with “The Gold Boot Guy” for a few days in the school district, could open the door to negotiate a discounted fee.

2. Plan to integrate and highlight “The Gold Boot Guy” Into a major theme such as awareness week, health day, or Black History Month. Depending on your theme, federal grant money might be available. For example, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) might approve a funding request for “The Gold Boot Guy” because he will address alcohol and drug prevention, tobacco use, sexual abstinence, teen pregnancy, gangs, crime and violence prevention. Check with your school district or federal government office to find out who is dispensing these funds in your state. Request an application.

3. Apply for other grant monies from your state by contacting your State Department of Human Services and State Department of Education. They can direct you to the correct office - for example, the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division. Contact other local agencies in your county that already have grant monies from state agencies. For example, the Criminal Justice Department or Department of Public Safety might have distributed funds into mental health agencies or programs for mentoring youth, etc.

4. Visit the resource desk at your local library. Ask about directories which include grant information. An example is "The Action Guide to Government Grants, Loans and Giveaways," by George Chelkis, The Putnam Publishing Group. Apply far in advance because it takes several months for a grant to come through.

5. Contact your school's PTO/PTA. Share your plans with them. They are more likely to contribute funds if your plan is well thought.

6. Contact your local police department and share your plan with the Chief and Community Services Officer. You may receive funding support because “The Gold Boot Guy” will be addressing drunk driving issues, crime and violence prevention, drug abuse, etc.

7. Have student leaders contact local business organizations: Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Elks, Chamber of Commerce. Present your plan and request their sponsorship.

8. Create a win - win situation. Contact several of your larger local businesses, especially those related to services for teens and their families. Ask for the owner, CEO or Community Services Dept. if they are willing to help sponsor “The Gold Boot Guy“, you can exchange the favor by announcing their support to your students and parents.

9. Invite multiple clubs on campus to participate and help in a fund raising project. A cooperative effort helps students collaborate and learn about realities of time and effort in acquiring funding in the real world.

10. Check with your school administration for funding from the Associated Student Body fund. For teacher in service programs, ask about Staff Development-Title VI funding.