2022 Fundraising Needs

Grassland Estates Neighborhood Fundraising Budget
Budget Dates: June 2022-May 2023

Prepared by: 

• Kyle Chowning, President
• George Garden, Treasurer

Grassland Estates Community History

The Grassland Estates Community is run by a small group of volunteers whose sole responsibilities are to oversee the care and maintenance of the community’s common areas and expenses. Since the beginning, Grassland Estates is not a formal Homeowners Association; thus, there aren’t any required dues or regulations for homeowners. Any contribution to the ongoing expenses of the community is made on a voluntary basis, out of the generosity of the community.

Budget

The annual budget has historically covered four main expenses:

1. Maintenance (mowing) of the Hillsboro Road entrances for Bobby and Harpeth Hills Drives
2. Monthly electricity fees to power the street light at the Hillsboro/ Bobby Drive entrance
3. Miscellaneous expenses include but are not limited to, annual website domain name renewal fees and fundraising expenses.
4. Replenishing a minimum of $1000 in cash reserves

Expenses

• 2019 – $1,265 – Link to budget
• 2020 – $2,939 – Link to budget
• 2021 – $3,200 – Link to budget
• 2022 – $4,640 – Link to budget
  • The significant year-over-year increase is due to fundraising starting later this year than in past years, which impacted our cash reserves. 

Cash Reserves

It is our goal to maintain a cash reserve of $1000 for unexpected expenses. As of June 2022, our cash in the bank is $100, which means that we are currently operating on our reserves.

2022 Fundraising Goals

This year, our fundraising efforts will focus on three main initiatives: 

1) Annual Maintenance Budget

The 2022 budget is based on the 2021 expenses plus 15% to accommodate any vendor fee increases or unexpected needs. Furthermore, we are currently operating on our cash reserves, and need to replenish it back to the $1000 minimum. 

2) Bobby Drive Beautification & Repair Project*

*Note: $0 was raised towards this effort in 2021 (or prior years).

This project aims to restore and beautify the Bobby Drive entrances. This project has three components: 

Repair damaged monuments 

In September 2020, someone hit the right-side monument, causing damage to the structure. Initial quotes came in from $900-1200 to fix and restore the monument.

Furthermore, an inspection of the left-side monument revealed a crack near the left column which is causing the monument to begin to separate. This issue has become much more significant in 2022. Initial quotes to reinforce and repair came in at $1200-2000, but with a warning that the structure of the monument is compromised and will eventually need to be replaced.

Landscape Monuments

In 2019, a team of homeowners removed the overgrown shrubs at the entrance of Bobby Drive to ensure that the integrity of the monuments wouldn’t be compromised by the root growth. In 2021, our lawn care company mulched the entrances, but we have yet to landscape the monuments in 2022.

In 2022, we’d like to hire our landscaping company to install low-maintenance shrubs and plants in front of the stone monuments to increase the curb appeal of the neighborhood entrance.

New “Grassland Estates” Signage

Years ago, the original Grassland Estates signs were removed with the intention of upgrading them. To this day, the signs have not been replaced. We would like to tackle this project in 2022.

Design Options

We have two options to choose from currently—note: wood color and lettering style are to be determined. The following pictures are just examples of the type of signage we are considering.

1. Wood Carved Signage
2. Wood & Metal Signage

This is our preferred option as we feel it is timeless, can withstand the elements and we don’t have to worry about the wood finish or lettering fading with time.

Budget

*Subject to change based on final pricing.

Budget Priority: 

1. Repair right monument
2. Landscaping
3. Replace signage
4. Repair left monument

Total 2022 Fundraising Goal

How to Contribute

There are two ways to contribute to the 2022 Fundraising Budget: 

1. Go to https://paypal.me/grasslandestates and make an electronic donation using PayPal. Please be sure to include your name and address, so we can track donations.
2. Write a check made payable to Grassland Estates Community, and either mail it to
   George Garden
   502 Jefferson Davis Drive, Franklin, TN 37069

or you can drop off the check at the Grassland Estates white mailbox located at George’s home off Barnes Court by the driveway.

Questions? 

If you have any questions about the annual budget or plans submitted above, please submit them in writing to [email protected] and [email protected].