Noisebridge Space Program/Professional Fundraising Guidance

Updates

[See slack, starting around here](https://noisebridge.slack.com/archives/C035Z8C5J/p1523979216000839)

Background

What we hope to get out of discovery

• Guidance on fundraising priorities
  • Ranked list of grants to apply to (public and private)
  • Analysis of general and specific information that we need to get together to apply for grants
• Specific methodologies for driving recurring donations
• Specific methodologies for persuing Very Large one time donations
• Who will participate in discovery from Noisebridge?
• List of 'gotchyas' to be aware of on our fundraising journey

Diligence

Relevant Documents

File:SK Noisebridge Questions Response Letter 2018-03-06.pdf

File:SK Noisebridge Discovery Proposal 2018-03-06.pdf

File:SK Experience and Client List 2018-04-01.pdf

Due Dilligence Q&A

What you get from the discovery process

Included in the discovery process is a written report with findings from discovery activities and our own separate research.

• We will identify the core cause for the campaign, the benefit for your immediate and broader community, and sketch a broad case statement that you can use to shape your communications.
• We will identify the key components of a successful campaign and assess your current readiness.
• We will identify the structure and timeline of a successful campaign. Typically, you can start raising money from individuals immediately; foundations and corporate contributions take time to acquire and have their own schedules for applications. Also, you have mentioned that there are some cultural concerns about the acceptance of corporate money, and perhaps even from some foundations, so we will need to explore those (i.e., what kind of recognition to offer, etc…)
• We will identify ways to structure a campaign that will enhance the existing culture of Noisebridge.
• We will identify giving level opportunities commensurate with the amount of money you would like to raise.
• We will identify prospects for giving: our team will perform research and identify proposals you qualify for.
• We will schedule a presentation for you and the other members of your group where we will walk you through the findings and recommendations and take any and all questions.

Timeline and ongoing costs should we choose to work with S|K to develop your campaign

The answer to this question is on Slack as it has specific dollar values: https://noisebridge.slack.com/archives/C035Z8C5J/p1536298909000100

Clarification on value delivered for the discovery fee

Please excuse typos in the following, I’m typing this from my phone.

As far as value delivered for the discovery, I should be more specific. The discovery isn’t a workshop, but rather is the process by which we work to understand the organization, its resources, its culture, its goals through the project and beyond. After my visit, our team will spend more than 15 hours developing a document with the information I outlined to Mitch. (I will resend that letter to you immediately after this email.)

We will perform research on prospects, identify timelines for work, identify any work that may need to be done before launching a campaign. You will get a document you can use, or you can continue with us to execute the campaign. The discovery and report will he a high quality product and worth the money.

What if we don't have the kind of resources they expect by "default" for their org to operate?

We are used to working with organizations of all sizes, from larger than Noisebridge to much smaller. We are very fond of lean scrappy innovators, and prefer them to plush Cadillac orgs. From my conversations with Mitch so far, I am fairly confident you currently have the resources you need to be successful, and I am certain we can grow your capacity together.

It sounds like S|K is specifically helping with the grant writing process, and not with helping us raise more from the people who visit the space? I think NB is doing a good job at the latter already.

I asked Krebs this and here was their answer: Money for a campaign will come from all of the sources you identify.

Individuals who currently support Noisebridge can be asked for contributions, and can receive benefits and acknowledgement for doing so, within the cultural norms of your organization. We will likely seek individual contributors at the $1,000 level and above to form a leadership circle for the campaign. Part of our work will be to encourage people to give joyfully, becoming closer to the organization through their participation in the campaign.

Foundations and corporations will be sought, we will seek contributions from many sources, I would say a minimum of 15 and probably more than 20, ranging in size from $10,000 to more than $100,000 each.

We will also explore available government funding at the local and state level. I don’t think federal funding is likely with this turnaround, but we will explore than option as well, and will set you up for future federal funding if that is appropriate and desirable.

Past Clients

Lady Red contacted all of S|K's past clients, and three of them replied with some information about their experience: https://noisebridge.slack.com/archives/C035Z8C5J/p1536297364000100

Included in $4k scope of work:

• in person time
  • Josef would come down and spend one or two days where he would meet with the leaders in the community.
  • Immerse and understand the programs offered.
  • identify a group who can help internally
  • conversations about culture and values in fundraising
  • couple days with leadership
• review of financials back a few years
• target grants ($1mm in grants of $25k or more)
• get an internal comms campaign
  • tiered, targeted to members
  • timing of email campaigns
• big focus on how is money expected to operate within the culture

(From Nick's chat with Josef, documented on Slack: https://noisebridge.slack.com/archives/C035Z8C5J/p1523400506000298)

Past Experience

They've worked with orgs raising money to raise themselves levels of engagement. Theater company. Annex Theater is in their 31st season. They are consensus driven. He was dev director. Anarchist collective they're familiar with. Started with them in 2001. Dev Dir. Op budget was under $100k. Raised add'l $30-40/year. Raised $65k for a move.

Ventura Disability Partners was cruising at $1mm/year from contract only. Trying to stop turnover. Got $100-200k revenue monthly recurring. Got $1mm in a few months. Seattle Youth Symphony, started raising $300k/ year. Doubled to $600k. Got $500k grant from Wallace foundation.

He oversaw a team of 7 who raised $4.5mm for a theater.

(source is on Slack: https://noisebridge.slack.com/archives/C035Z8C5J/p1523400506000298)

From Lady Red

I asked Krebs this and here was their answer: Money for a campaign will come from all of the sources you identify.

Individuals who currently support Noisebridge can be asked for contributions, and can receive benefits and acknowledgement for doing so, within the cultural norms of your organization. We will likely seek individual contributors at the $1,000 level and above to form a leadership circle for the campaign. Part of our work will be to encourage people to give joyfully, becoming closer to the organization through their participation in the campaign.

Foundations and corporations will be sought, we will seek contributions from many sources, I would say a minimum of 15 and probably more than 20, ranging in size from $10,000 to more than $100,000 each.

We will also explore available government funding at the local and state level. I don’t think federal funding is likely with this turnaround, but we will explore than option as well, and will set you up for future federal funding if that is appropriate and desirable.

https://noisebridge.slack.com/archives/C035Z8C5J/p1522828057000288