5min read · by KindRise’s founder, a Brooklyn resident
How to Combine a Block Party with a Fundraiser in the San Fernando Valley
Block parties are one of the San Fernando Valley's best community traditions — and they're a natural vehicle for fundraising. Whether you're raising for a neighborhood improvement project, a family in need, or a community cause, combining an existing community gathering with a fundraiser amplifies both the event and the campaign. Here's how to do it in the Valley.
Permits: what you need in the Valley
LA City neighborhoods (West Hills, Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, Reseda, Northridge, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch): A block party on a residential street requires a Special Event Permit from LADOT and usually a Street Use Permit. You'll need to notify adjacent homeowners, arrange for street barriers, and in some cases coordinate with LAPD. Start the permit process at least 4–6 weeks before your event. Your local neighborhood council can often help guide the process.
Incorporated cities (Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village): contact the city's Public Works or Community Services department. Each city has its own process; some are more streamlined than others for residential block events.
Reaching neighbors before the event
Nextdoor is the single most effective pre-event announcement channel in the Valley. Post 2–3 weeks out, then the week before, then the day before. Supplement with flyers in mailboxes (check USPS rules — don't put flyers in the mailbox itself, but door-to-door is fine). A Facebook event in the neighborhood group and a neighborhood council announcement round out the pre-event outreach.
Fundraising during the block party
- Ticket sales: charge a small suggested donation ($5–$10 per person or family) for entry, food, or activities. Frame it as a contribution to the community cause.
- Donation station: a table with a visible display of the cause, a donation jar, and a large QR code to the online campaign page. Designate a volunteer to staff it and tell the story to passersby.
- Raffle or silent auction: donated items from local businesses — restaurant gift cards, experiences, household goods — drive significant additional fundraising. Coordinate donations from Ventura Boulevard businesses in advance.
- Matching pledge: if a neighbor or local business will match donations up to a certain amount during the event, announce it prominently. Matching drives immediate giving.
Extending reach beyond the block
Post photos and an update from the event immediately afterward. A post-event Nextdoor update ("We raised $1,200 at the block party — only $800 to our goal!") captures donations from neighbors who heard about the event but couldn't attend.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a block party in the San Fernando Valley?
Yes. In LA City, block parties on residential streets require a Special Event Permit from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and usually a Street Use Permit. The process involves neighbor notification and can take 3–6 weeks. For incorporated cities like Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, or Agoura Hills, contact the city's public works or special events office.
How do you fundraise at a block party?
Block party fundraisers typically use a combination of ticket sales (for food, activities, or rides), a donation station with a QR code to your online page, a raffle or auction, and in-person asks from trusted community members. The key is integrating the fundraising into the event naturally rather than treating it as a separate activity.