Interested in having a fabulous time and earning money for your organization, too? If you are a member of a not-for-profit organization that is interested in participating in a Rockford fundraising events opportunity with On the Waterfront, Inc. please note the following requirements:

1. Submit a letter on your organization’s letterhead to On the Waterfront, Inc. asking to be put on the not-for-profit waiting list. Provide contact information, information about the organization and what the organization will do with the funds raised.
2. On the Waterfront will send your organization a form. Please fill out all the necessary information and rank the areas in which your organization is interested in participating.

You will be put on the OTW NFP Waiting List and contacted when an appropriate opportunity becomes available. Note: The On the Waterfront Board of Directors has established a policy stating that not-for-profit organizations may only participate in one fundraising program each year, but you may be on the waiting list for several areas. Download Form >

Please send request to:

On the Waterfront, Inc.
308 W. State St.,
Suite 115
Rockford, IL 61101

Not-For-Profit Food Booth

Each year, the On the Waterfront Festival features several food booths which are operated by area not-for-profit organizations. There is a booth fee of $550 which pays for your space and tent. During ticket redemption, OTW will collect 18.5% of your gross revenues . All operations of the food booth are managed and maintained by the not-for-profit organization including food purchase, preparation and clean-up. A not-for-profit food booth may also contract with a commercial food vendor, but specific guidelines must be followed and On the Waterfront must approve the contract. While unique food items are encouraged, all food items must be proposed to the On the Waterfront Concessions Committee prior to acceptance. In addition, food booths must operate under the standards of the Winnebago County Health Department. There is an extensive amount of planning required prior to and during the Festival, including approximately 400 to 500 volunteer hours, and attendance at two Concessions meetings is mandatory. Average earnings for not-for-profit food booths range from $1,500 to $20,000.

Not-For-Profit Beer Tent

Each major music or special events venue has one or two beer tents which are managed by not-for-profit organizations in exchange for an “incentive commission.” Incentive commissions are based upon the efficiency of the beer tent; the efficiency is determined by the total amount of beer poured compared to the amount of tickets received. Profits range from a $1,000 default payment to $3,000. Approximately 350 to 500 volunteer hours are required to operate a beer tent, depending upon the location. There is no financial risk involved with operating a beer tent. A pre-festival training session and TIPS training for key volunteers are required for all beer tent NFP’s.

Not-for-Profit Ticket Booth

The On the Waterfront Festival uses tickets as cash during the Festival. There are several ticket booths located throughout festival grounds, each requiring 4 to 6 sellers at a time. Ticket booth not-for-profit organizations are compensated based on their efficiency and accuracy; the total amount of tickets sold should balance with the total amount of cash received. If a ticket booth is 100% efficient, the not-for-profit organization staffing it will receive $10 per man hour worked throughout the weekend (an average of 180 man hours). Ticket booth not-for-profit organizations can earn between $1,000 and $2,500 approximately. There is no financial risk involved for the organization. One pre-festival training session is required for all ticket booth volunteers.

Not-For-Profit Admission Booth

There are 4 admission booths located at Festival entrances and each is staffed by a not-for-profit organization. Admission booth not-for profit organizations are compensated based on their efficiency and accuracy; the total amount of passes sold should balance with the total amount of cash received. If a admission booth is 100% efficient and accurate, the not-for-profit organization staffing it will receive $10 per man hour worked throughout the weekend (an average of 100 man hours). Admission booth not-for-profit organizations can earn between $800 and $1,100 approximately. There is no financial risk involved for the organization. One pre-festival training session is required for all ticket booth volunteers.

Team Pepsi

The On the Waterfront Festival has numerous Team Pepsi locations that are operated by not-for-profit organizations. Each organization is required to provide 4 people (which always includes a supervisor) for all shifts of operation during all Festival hours. The weekend requires a commitment of 34 hours or a total commitment of 136 volunteer-hours. Incentive commissions are based upon the efficiency of the Pepsi tent; the total efficiency is determined at the end of the Festival by dividing total Festival tickets collected by the NFP by total retail product sales potential. Total retail product sales potential will be determined by daily inventory of Pepsi cups and/or bottles distributed, multiplied by the corresponding retail price. Booths operating at 100% efficiency or better receive $850 ($750 plus a $100 bonus). Therefore, profits range from $450 – $850 depending upon the booth’s efficiency. There is no financial risk involved with being a member of Team Pepsi.

Green Team

The On the Waterfront Festival takes great pride in the cleanliness of the festival grounds. To achieve that goal, our not-for-profit Green Team works continually during the festival picking up trash and recyclables keeping the Waterfront grounds clean and green. Over 800 volunteer hours are required for this project. If all volunteer requirements are met, the not-for profit organization could earn $700 for one day to $3,500 for all three days.

Special Event Participation

The On the Waterfront Festival features more than 30 Special Events throughout the grounds of the Festival. Many events require a not-for-profit organization to provide volunteers to staff it or operate different aspects of it. Every event is unique in its need and scope and has a different range of compensation. Examples include: face painting; Kid’s Castle activity; Hole-In-One ; and other special events. Compensation can run from $500 to over $1,500.

Other Not-For-Profit Activities

Each year, On the Waterfront, Inc. strives to create more fundraising opportunities for not-for-profit organizations. These opportunities vary on the need and the activity. Some activities occur prior to the Festival and others after the Festival. These activities can include:

• Staffing Lullaby Lounge
• Set-up and Strike for the On the Waterfront Atmosphere Committee
• Selling Glow Merchandise
• Staffing the festival store
• Street Team
• Staffing a Sponsor Booth
• Servers for the Admiral’s Club or Waterfront Backstage
• Running special promotions
• Collating and assembling Admiral’s Club Memberships

Current and Past Not-For-Profit Partners