Outreach with Sponsors · Making a Child-Friendly City Map

Now that you have gotten map feedback from your partners and the public, a final step in the process is to share the draft map with your sponsors and other funders. You can offer this feedback opportunity in a variety ways: as an in-person or zoom session where you facilitating feedback in real time (with individual sponsors one at a time or with a small group) OR by offering a more passive opportunity where you send the draft to your sponsors and have them answer a set of questions via a feedback form.

Sending out the draft map offers an opportunity to elicit sponsorship in the form of advertisements on the printed map, pinned locations on the virtual map, or other forms! Additionally, connecting early with sponsors creates relationships for locations to leave the printed maps so they can reach a wide variety of children and youth.

GUB’s approach to sponsorship was to add sponsor names and logos onto the back of the map. Because we prioritized having an amenities chart and a close up of Pearl Street on the second side of the map, we had a small space for sponsors’ names and logos. This resonated with our values–putting kids first.

Step 1 - Schedule Outreach with Sponsors

Depending on how much time you have to conduct outreach, analyze feedback, and create map drafts, you can determine how many sponsor outreach sessions you want to have and how far apart you would like to schedule them. We recommend conducting at least one.

Step 2 - Conduct Outreach with Sponsors

Engaging in-person or via zoom, or sending a feedback form.

1. Display the draft map.
2. Describe the map project. Explain that this is the first draft that has been inform by x number of children and their families and that you are looking to make the map better through a second draft.
3. Tell them that you will give them some time to review the map and that, afterwards, you will have a discussion related to provided feedback. GUB used this feedback form with adult sponsors. You can create a feedback form for sponsors or simply scribe the feedback they provide on chart paper.
4. What questions do your sponsors have for you? Be sure to create space for this.
5. Tell sponsors that maps will be available for them once it is printed. Describe your distribution plan so they have an idea of where maps can be found throughout the city.
6. Thank sponsors and tell them that you will be back in touch with them when you have plans for a map celebration.

Steps 3 and 4 - Analyze Feedback from Sponsor Feedback Sessions and Map Draft

Take sponsor feedback into account when revisiting map drafts, but keep in mind that the ideas and thoughts of children and youth should continue to be centered in your drafting process.

Step 5 - Iterate

Continue to collect community and public feedback until you feel that you have gotten a diverse representation of your community.