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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Raffle staff at Friendly City Fortune in Downtown Harrisonburg. Photo courtesy of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.

Named Best Fundraiser by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Friendly City Fortune is Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s (HDR) biggest fundraising event. Each summer, HDR raffles off $250,000 in cash and prizes to 54 lucky winners from the local community. The funds support HDR’s work to make Harrisonburg a destination for locals and visitors.

HDR developed the event to raise increased funds from a wider donor pool while also giving back to the community. They describe it as a win-win-win program. “Prize winners win, HDR wins because it can fund an ambitious work plan, and the downtown wins, too, when HDR can do more to improve downtown and strengthen the district so visitors and locals can have more memorable experiences and the business community can thrive,” said Emily Winter, Director of Marketing.

Prizes are given away every five minutes for four hours, building excitement and momentum over the course of the event. This year’s event featured phenomenal prizes including a 2022 Kia Telluride, an all-inclusive trip to St. Martin, a speakeasy part for twenty at a downtown venue, a Coleman Outfitter 400 UTV, a Fuse Sport Mountain Bike, a MacBook Pro, and a $20,000 check! HDR works with local venders to supply these prizes.

Proceeds are based on the number of tickets sold, how many winners select the prize or the 50% cash payout, and how much raffle marketing and other expenses cost. Tickets cost $100 and offer two chances for the ticketholder to win.

The funds raised through Friendly City Fortune have had a huge impact on HDR’s work. Projects funded through the program include:

  • Façade enhancement grants
  • A sculpture instillation
  • Alley beautification project
  • LED holiday lights
  • A multimedia shop small campaign
  • Customized technical assistance for small businesses
  • Free community festivals and events

The program also provides an opportunity for rich community engagement and stakeholder networking. For example, in January, HDR ran a “this or that” promotion on Facebook and Instagram where people voted for which prizes they’d like to see offered at the raffle. HDR also gives tickets to important community members, like healthcare workers, the fire department, and the police department. The tickets are sold in local businesses in the downtown, encouraging people to visit these shops and hopefully buy other items along with the tickets.

“This fund raiser has allowed us to level up and start making some things happen that would have taken years of fund raising to accomplish,” said Executive Director Andrea L Dono. “From realizing small business’ dreams through our Bricks & Clicks assistance program to giving kids a new place to play on our latest public art sculpture - we are thrilled that the community (and beyond) is supporting our raffle and helping us meet important community goals.”