Lincoln Park Farmers Market prepares for summer months with crowdfunding campaign, sponsor search

In anticipation of its season opener this June, the Lincoln Park Farmers Market has turned to online crowdfunding to help complete its budget. The market is also accepting sponsorships from area businesses.

The market is hoping to raise $1,000 by April 15. Its crowdfunding campaign can be found online on the GoFundMe platform.

According to Lincoln Park Farmers Market President Leslie Lynch-Wilson, the Lincoln Park market relies on sponsorships and donations from the community. The crowdfunding campaign is a first for the organization.

"I took some time looking at crowdfunding sites and saw other Michigan farmers markets using GoFundMe. I thought, Let's see what we can do here," Lynch-Wilson says. "It's really important because we don't get funding from the city or DDA."

Money raised from the crowdfunding campaign will be used toward operational costs, including the hiring of a market manager and to help pay the insurance of a newly purchased market van.

Though Lincoln Park Farmers Market needs to raise $8,000 in total, Lynch-Wilson set the campaign goal at $1,000 because GoFundMe recommends not setting the goal too high. Even a dollar helps, she says.

With any money raised, the market will be ale to build on its success from last year. One of its biggest achievements last year, says Lynch-Wilson, was the implementation of the POP Club, a national program designed to engage children in the importance of healthy eating and shopping habits. The POP Club will return this year.

For businesses and organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities, donation levels range from $5 to more than $500, with different benefits attached to each. Interested parties can reach Lynch-Wilson at 313-427-0443 or lpfm@inbox.com for more information.

Lincoln Park Farmers Market occurs every Sunday from June through October. It is located at the southwest corner at the intersection of Southfield Road and Fort Street in Lincoln Park.

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