[Imc-makerspace] Makerspace Urbana financial report

[Brian Duggan]

Hey All,

This is an update on Makerspace finances. In short, we need more income
to cover rent alone and we are currently almost two months behind on
rent. We've had financial commitments from individuals fluctuate over
time, which is contributing to the shortfall. I'm sorry to be the bearer
of bad news, but I also feel it's my responsibility since I've been
playing bookkeeper.

The details are that we're currently $566.00 in debt to the IMC. Our
normal donations coming from people by the end of the month will take us
down to $460.00. Then we'll be charged $300 for rent again on August 1.

Gergana, Matt and I met this Monday to figure out what our situation is
and how we can address it. We came up with several ideas:

1. More members!

Since we're funded entirely by member fees (at the moment), we
technically need 15 people at $20/mo or 30 at $10/mo or somewhere in
between. We resolved that members should get their own keys to the
space. That should be the advantage of paying a membership fee.

If you need a key, please bring your checkbook to the IMC during
Makerspace open hours tonight or at future Makerspace open hours. I'll
explain how it works and make it as easy as possible for you.

Please ask your friends and acquaintances to check us out. Email
organizations that you think might harbor potential members. Spread the
word!

2. Fundraising!

We need to hold another fundraiser immediately. This could take the form
of..

- Some sort of game tournament at the IMC
- Some sort of game tournament elsewhere
- The Kickstarter project we discussed last week
- Grants! (grant writers usually get a cut of the grant, if the grant
gets funded)
- Junk sale! Someone could volunteer to start selling the less dangerous
materials in the space that we would most likely never use in a project
on eBay or some other auction site.

3. Donations!

Many members have already donated and continue to donate more than a
regular Makerspace membership. THANK YOU!! I, personally, will also
start making a $20/mo contribution on top of my membership fee. We
should feel comfortable asking people and organizations to donate to
organizations we care deeply about, such as the Makerspace.

Thanks, everyone, for your hard work so far. Makerspace Urbana would not
exist today without everyone's generous donations of time, talent and
treasure. With some more hard work and diligence, we can set ourselves
on a path to sustainability.

Hope to see you tonight or soon!

Brian

-- 
Brian Duggan
Technical Projects Developer
UC Independent Media Center
http://www.ucimc.org | 309 310 7026