I need help raising donations

"..it is primarily an educational tool for students of the school. There are several students involved in this project from several majors- architecture, biology and horticulture mostly...One of my biggest problems and hurdles right now is that I'm not a marketing/business kind of person at all." Are there marketing/business type students at your school? Get some of them involved!

Oh, those are the exact kind of places I need! Thanks, Hydrophonic. Sadly, it's too late for seedlings. That would've saved me about a gajillion dollars. Alas.

Is it time sensitive? Could you delay the planting date by a year, do more research (are you using native plants? those might need less water in the long-run), pitch your spiel to all the right people with money/resources, get the structure in place, and start from seedlings in the right season?

Could you do a smaller, demonstration section of the wall now, with the funds you have, and have a plan to do the rest once you get funding? A good demonstration (maybe 1/4 of the wall -- a vertical section? Two?) will make the project attractive to potential donors. I realize that the costs may not divide well, but it's just a thought.

Well, I have two suggestions: Think more about how it will benefit possible donors. You're saying it'll be a lot of free advertising for them. But having their name on a small sign isn't going to get much attention. So develop some kind of plan for that, so you can give specific information to people who support you. As to who to approach: find a large, locally-owned garden shop, and see if you can get them to give you some plants for the project. It's often much easier for stores to give you product/merchandise instead of cash (since I'm guessing you're not a registered non-profit at this point). If you get only one store, that makes it more valuable for them too--one sponsor can be highlighted more easily than ten sponsors. This being a cool project isn't enough. Also, being so ambitious isn't necessarily going to help you... people might think you are in over your head. Next, I think you're going to learn an awful lot with this first project. I suspect the people who built that incredibly gorgeous PNC Wall weren't doing their first design. I'm guessing it was designed with the help of a computer. I know you want to go all out, but I'd suggest doing a small demonstration project and staying as close to your budget as possible. Then, use that project to generate donations for something bigger. You'll be in better shape down the road to know how much things cost and how much you need.

Have you promised the grantor or school a certain amount of size? Was that a condition of the grant or of building it where you want to build it? I wonder if you can slash the budget by making it smaller.

Facebook page, Kickstarter, blog about the site--all the usual social media stuff. Why not make it more interactive with the students--maybe people can save seeds or donate materials. Can you partner with a local high school or grade school? Have you asked on Freecycle? Do you have a friendly journalist who can help publicize it? There must be smaller, non-chain outfits around that would probably donate materials, rather than Home Depot, etc. Do you have an "elevator pitch" ready? Also, try local garden clubs, County extension, etc. I don't think you need 1200 plants--you need seeds for 1200 plants--let this be an experiential project, not a fait accompli.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. It's true, I might have to scale the whole thing down. But I was able to find some great free stuff already with your suggestions. Thanks again!

I've just throwing this in here as an idea, but understand that I don't know the limitations. 1) Can you easily but up a wordpress blog and link to it in your profile? It is a start (here is my plan, goal, etc.) Give it a face as it progresses. 2) Are you allowed to link in projects (I don't know the rules, if it has to be completed or in progress, check the rules, first). 3) Can you approach the chair of each department (you mention biology, horticulture) and just tell them that you have your $1000 grant, this is what you want to do, can they suggest any additional resources (point you to them). There maybe more grants out there, or maybe they know who would/could donate resources, all you want is for them to point, that's it. I think the other poster's opinion above about a student or students from marketing and or business is brilliant, but taht department on the list, too. 4) Once this gets off the ground and you are actually moving towards building, I wouldn't mind throwing in $20. This looks cool and as a former undergrad and grad schol bio person, I love the idea. I'm sure there are other MeFis who would have the same opinion, too, but I don't know how you can stay in contact with this idea.