[Makerspace-keymembers] Fundraising Letter

Thu Jul 31 14:31:05 EDT 2014

I think this is idea but I don't have tenure yet!

Emily Knox, Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science

I'm fairly certain we can do prettiness through google/chambana.net--not
sure though.

On Thu, Jul 31, 2014 at 1:22 PM, elizaBeth Simpson <elizacorps at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hi folks-
>
> Linking the contribution to as specific and as personal an outcome as
> possible is key in general, BUT!!!
>
> It's really important not to 'burn' the base and lose the opportunity to
> get a return on a larger ask. And, if we're really trying to get money,
> there are a few other things to do before we say "gimme."
>
> Last night, Jeff, Gergana, and I were talking, and seemed to come to the
> idea that:
> - we should throw together an FR committee (maybe is the same as the
> expansion committee for the moment, then break off into two groups?) The
> first step is just to brainstorm all potential contacts/contributors and
> put their emails all in a list (this include the peeps on FB, and peeps not
> in town.) The second is to get mailchimp or something similar so that the
> message can look classy and have photos. I think they let you have up to
> 1000 for free. CiviCRM is opensource and cool and all, but I don't know how
> to use it.
>
> - right now, don't make a full fundraising ask, but just an announcement
> giving folks the info that the online options are up and it's easier than
> ever to be a contributor. (see draft below)
>
> - Then, we'd work on a real deal FR plan, and have a big ask (like Emily's
> great draft) in a few months (November post-thanksgiving is ideal, maybe
> through March) to drum up loads of cash for the new space.
>
>
> Here's the draft:
>
> Subject line: Makerspace has made it possible!
>
> "It may sound weird, but I am so excited that it's easier to give
> Makerspace Urbana money. Whether I go or not, I'm so glad they exist... I
> want to make sure they stick around!"
> - elizaBeth Simpson, Organizational Consultant
>
> Makerspace is proud to announce that it now accepts donations online as
> well as in the space!
>
> If you are excited to make a recurring contribution to help us keep
> offering creative space and support to the community (or you want to become
> a member) go here:
> https://makerspaceurbana.org/autopay
>
> If you simply want to make the point that you're also glad we exist, go
> here:
> https://makerspaceurbana.org/donate
>
> 3-D printing, knitting, soldering, pewter-casting, sewing, programming,
> whatever you want to make... come join us!
>
> Open Hours:
> Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 7-9pm
> Saturdays 11am-1pm
> Where: Lower level of the IMC, 202 S. Broadway, Urbana (enter through the
> south door)
>
> "Makerspace Urbana has greatly increased my confidence in making and
> fixing all kinds of things.  Before joining the Makerspace I had never
> soldered. Now I help lead soldering workshops."
> - Emily Knox, Associate Professor of Library Science
>
> What is Makerspace?
>
> http://makerspaceurbana.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Makerspace-Urbana-AGORA.pdf
>
>
>
> Fundraising Letter
>
> Dear Makerspace Supporter,
>
> Since our founding in 2009, Makerspace Urbana, a working group of the
> Independent Media Center, has worked hard to fulfill its mission to provide
> an open community lab where people of diverse backgrounds can learn, teach,
> tinker, collaborate, share, innovate, socialize, and create.
>
> Every year, Makerspace Urbana hosts workshops and collaborates with
> community groups. For example, our 2013 “Summer Make-a-tion” workshops
> series included activities such as sewing, robotics, pewter casting, hack
> your home router, beer-making, and soldering is easy. We've had
> collaborative programming with Living Letter Press, Innovation LLC, Unit
> One, Urbana Free Library, and the “Outta the mouths of babes” summer youth
> radio project.
>
> In April of 2011, we hosted the first annual UC Mini Maker Faire, which
> featured maker booths, performances, and demonstrations by 13 area makers
> and was attended by 150 community members. In 2012, the 2nd annual
> Urbana-Champaign Mini-Maker Faire was attended by over 400 people.  The 3
> rd annual UC Mini Maker Faire in 2013 attendance increased by 50% to over
> 600 people.  We will host the newly named Heartland Maker Fest this
> October.
>
> This year we plan to host another Summer Make-a-tion, buy some more tools,
> and expand our open hours.  In order to do this, we need contributions from
> you, our loyal supporters.   You can donate using a credit card here
> <http://www.makerspaceurbana.org/donte> or put a cash donation in the
> donation jar or use our Square reader in the space. If you are able,
> consider becoming a sustaining supporter and donating $5, $10, $20, or more
> per month via this link. Any amount is appreciated.
>
> Thank you and keep on making!
>
> Members of Makerspace Urbana
>
> P.S.  If you are interested in becoming a key-holding member of the space
> with 24/7 access, stop by our general membership meeting on the last Sunday
> of the month.  Dues are $25/month plus $50 per year to be a member of the
> IMC.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> elizaBeth
>
> 217-979-2820 cell
>
> The bad news is you're falling through the air, nothing to hang on to, no
> parachute. The good news is, there's no ground. - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
>
> learn about my latest creative initiative:
> Art from the Streets!
> www.ucpeopleshistory.org
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 28, 2014 at 5:13 PM, Emily Knox <emilyknox at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> So there are a couple of things going on.  Primarily we want to see what
>> our base monthly sustaining income might be in order to possibly move to a
>> larger space.
>>
>> For the letter we might talk about the following:
>> 1. Making Summer Make-a-Tion free for all attendees
>> 2. Buying additional equipment  and supplies (a small milling machine,
>> serger, jewelry making equipment)
>> 3. Supporting Heartland Maker Fest
>> 4. Electric Waste Orchestra stuff?
>>
>> This is the first toe dip into a possible capital campaign. Just to see
>> who our big supporters in the community might be
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jul 28, 2014 at 1:39 PM, Elizacorps <elizacorps at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi again,
>>>
>>> Also, folks respond much better to specific requests than to general
>>> calls, so quick! Drum up specific financial needs... Think: WHY are we
>>> asking for $? What would people want to make happen?
>>>
>>> EzB
>>>
>>> Be kind to yourself
>>>
>>> On Jul 28, 2014, at 9:03, Emily Knox <emilyknox at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> Now that we have Stripe (thanks, Jeff!) we can send out a general
>>> donation request to our supporters.
>>>
>>> Here's a draft letter:
>>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pyKM_ISaG5dQF6qculJH6BLNW7E9bV5ImopY-kNa6Lw/edit?usp=sharing
>>>
>>> Please let me know what you think.   Any and all comments are welcome.
>>>
>>> We'll send this to our announcement list, post to our FB page, and tweet
>>> it out.
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> Emily
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>> Makerspace-keymembers mailing list
>>> Makerspace-keymembers at lists.chambana.net
>>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/makerspace-keymembers
>>>
>>>
>>
>
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