--- title: How to Get Fathers in the Door description: Learn how to recruit fathers into your fatherhood program. The best way to do it may surprise you. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/file-242741898-jpg/images/shoes_on_welcome_mat.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/fathertopics/bid/184346/fathertopics-how-to-get-fathers-in-the-door#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [NFI-Specific Programs & Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/nfi-specific-programs-resources) # How to Get Fathers in the Door 3 min read ![Melissa Byers](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/melissa_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=melissa_circle_icon.png) [** Melissa Byers ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/melissa-byers) Melissa is the Chief Marketing Officer at National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI). Melissa oversees the organization's marketing, communications, graphic design, and product fulfillment functions. There's a popular phrase which states “build it and they will come.” This saying is sometimes true but oftentimes not realistic—especially when it comes to developing and implementing fatherhood programs.  There are a great number of fatherhood programs with great staff, curriculum, facilities, and community support—but lack participants. Logic dictates that there is no actual program without participants to serve. Unfortunately, some fatherhood program practitioners are very skilled in the business of program operations but do not know the location of their target population or how to get them in the door. **This may surprise you: It's not usually the fatherhood program itself that gets them in the door. ** ![shoes on welcome mat](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/file-242741898-jpg/images/shoes_on_welcome_mat.jpg?width=300&name=shoes_on_welcome_mat.jpg) We've all heard the saying "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance." That's why successful fatherhood practitioners plan ahead by strategizing how they will draw fathers in, what other services they will offer that has a "hook", and lay out the demographics and location of their target population. **Begin by asking yourselves:** - What kind of other "wrap-around" resources do we offer that have a "draw" for potential participants? What could be the "hook"? - What kind of fathers are our target? e.g. New fathers, teen fathers, single fathers, non-custodial fathers, etc. - What is our target father's age range? Children's age(s)? Marital status? **Now answer the questions:** - Where can we find the specific types of fathers we want to reach (that we listed above)? - Where are the fathers that have the "need" we serve? Where would they hang out?  - Where can we post a flyer? e.g. Bulletin board in community center or grocery store; flyer on pizza boxes or other food delivery service, etc. - Do we already serve mothers and can we get the message to fathers through them? - What are some other creative things we can offer to attract the fathers to our center? (food, prizes, credits, etc.) Regarding effective "hooks", NFI’s own research has found that most fathers enroll in a fatherhood program because it helps them address their immediate needs (e.g. job training and placement, access and visitation with their children, getting a GED, etc.) They often only realize the benefits of learning fatherhood skills *after* they’ve been enrolled in a program for awhile. So from a marketing and recruitment standpoint, it’s more important to stress how your program or organization can meet the fathers' immediate needs and then introduce them to the fatherhood program. Ultimately, make the fatherhood program an integral part of a larger set of programs or services fathers receive. **What's next?** Create a flyer or other invitation materials to invite the fathers to your center for your services. (And, based on the above, you may or may not decide to specifically advertise a fatherhood program at this point in the game.) **Further Tips for Finding Fathers**   Depending on your location and types of fathers you will serve, you may find fathers in different places. For example:  - If your program is located in a rural setting, you may find program participants in locations such as hunting lodges, fire stations, fishing equipment stores, and sporting events.  - If your setting is more urban in nature, you might recruit program participants at shopping malls, libraries, social service buildings, business venues, and sporting events.  - If you’re looking to recruit teen and younger adult fathers, skateboard parks, shopping malls, computer gaming facilities, and dance clubs tend to serve as prime locations for recruitment.  Here is a lits of some common male or father-friendly locations (as reported by successful [24/7 Dad™](https://store.fatherhood.org/c-2-247-dad-program-kits.aspx) program practitioners): - Fishing Locations - Hunting Locations - Sporting Events - “Bass Pro” type venues - Barbershops - Fire Stations - Correctional Facilities - Healthcare Facilities - Educational Facilities - Restrooms - Religious Institutions - Military - Airports - Social Service Facilities - Judicial Courts - Basketball Courts & Gyms - Health Clubs - Public or Private Recreational Facilities With this knowledge, wrap-around service offerings, and ideas for father-friendly locations that may be unique to your community, you will be more effective and efficient in strategically targeting your program marketing and recruitment efforts.  **Now the business of serving fathers can begin! Start by getting them in the door.** **[![Download Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/baa1cebd-1cbd-4224-8b21-8a4e6aa1bcfe.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/baa1cebd-1cbd-4224-8b21-8a4e6aa1bcfe) Thinking of starting a fatherhood program? Download our free guide to learn how to start and be successful.** Date Published: 08/01/2013 Last Updated: 10/29/2021 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/bid/183846/the-single-dad-apartment-scavenger-hunt) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/bid/184597/parenting-for-the-next-century) ## Related Articles ### [Five Leadership Practices That Build Father-Inclusive Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Creating a father-inclusive organization doesn't happen through a new but isolated fatherhood program, staff training on how to include fathers, or ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/five-leadership-practices-that-build-father-inclusive-organizations) ### [Beyond Graduation: Keeping Fathers Connected Image created with GPT Image 2. Many organizations do a good job recruiting fathers and helping them complete a fatherhood program. But what happens after the program ends? How do ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/beyond-graduation-keeping-fathers-connected) ### [Funding A Father-Inclusive Effort For Non-Governmental Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) struggle to identify funding sources for fatherhood initiatives and programs. After all, beyond the ... 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