I'm looking for advice or tips on how to raise money for a new English speaking learn and play group in the Oerlikon region. The biggest challenge has been finding the right premises which has now been achieved. The place has great potential, it's in a child safe area with access to two playgrounds and ample green space, all this can be reached in minutes in a traffic free area.

The rent is reasonable and more than realistic for 170 square meters, this includes two spacious toilets and a separate room ideal for mums to sit round a table while children are playing. The main room is flooded with natural light and has enough room for an indoor play gym.

Apart from the 5 mornings a week, learn and play group my business partner and I hoped to provide a community center for English speaking families offering various activities in the afternoon.

It also offers ample free off-road parking, excellent public transport connections and motorway exit 200 meters away. So whats the problem?

We need extra money to lay a new child friendly floor and put in a tea kitchen. The private capital that my partner and I had would have been enough for the deposit and equipment. So we are stuck between letting a brilliant place go or going into debt before we've even started. As we're already planning to work for the first year without even paying ourselves a salary, taking on more debt is not an option.

I'm not asking STC members for donations, just hoping that some of you may have ideas or names of companies that employ international English speakers that I could approach for donations or sponsorships. Any ideas or brain storming would be greatly appreciated.

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The worm has turned.........

The ICS Zurich isn't a million miles away from Oerlikon, and, from what I can see, they start at Primary level, so you wouldn't be treading on their toes.

Worth a try, at least. I'll have a bit more of a think about it...

How much do you need?

hi ayla, glad you found a place...
i have no ideas for corporate sponsorship but if you have already decided to take the place then how about just having a jumble sale or something,on the actual premises.(this is depended on the amount you need of course, ie what dingbat asked...)

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It's important that the floor covering is linoleum as PVC burns fast and can be quite toxic for children. the cheapest I've seen up to now is 38.00 chf the square meter. This is without labor costs. I think a tea kitchen could be from 4-6,000 depending on how cheap we could buy the units and sink for and labor.

Thanks for your interest Dingbat.

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The worm has turned.........

what about getting a parquet fitter to sponsor the flooring, as an example of their work (maybe they do it at a reduced cost). Same with the kitchen.

Another idea for the Kitchen speak to Fust, they have some ex demo stuff really cheap.

You can also buy parquet end of line stuff really cheap, you'd get 100chf parquet for about 40chf/meter.


Edit, just occured ot me you don't want parquet.

I've thought about that Retto but the contract needs signing soon and round 15-20.00 chf is a lot of money to raise with a jumble sale. I'm trying to get the starting date postponed from the 1st of March to the 1st of April.
It's not that we are not prepared to take financial risks for this project but it wouldn't be financially viable to personally invest too much as it's no use charging prices that normal earning parents cant pay.

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The worm has turned.........

It would be a good idea to get a list of companies in Zurich, which do employ International English speakers and then ask them directly.

I think quite a number of companies are more then ready to sponsor projects.

The one I am working for gets asked regularly ... but I don't know if they would help out with a project based in Zurich (?) ...

EDIT: forgot to add, of course I will ask them !!

I know this would be a private enterprise but have you thought of going to Oerlikon Gemeinde for advice or even with your begging bowl. After all, it is a venture that would make Oerlikon a more vibrant place to be and which has a lot of ethnic diversity.

oerlikon.ch | Gemeinde might be a place to start?

Good luck, I will get my thinking cap on, see if I can think of any other options.

Gal xx

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You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead.

1st rule of self-employment: Pay yourself.

Even charities have to be commercially minded. Perhaps approach a 'small-business' advisor and show your business plan for feedback. You'll be wanting the fiercest criticism before you sink your own money into the project!

Is it possible to start a business and have no initial debt?

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Be good to your friends