Event:2016/02/15 Fundraising

Omni Fundraising WG Monday February 15, 2016

= intros =
 * yar, marcus, matt, marc, david, remote-jenny

= updates =
 * need money. a lot.

= overview of work done and work needed =
 * yar: i want to craft a simple volunteer pitch for all working groups. can we answer these questions?

what has fundraising wg accomplished in past 6 months?

 * building & cultivating potential donor relationships
 * nearly secured private loan
 * changed strategy to pursue a mortgage
 * successfully participated in rectifying our accounting books - necessary for our 501c3 app and mortgage application
 * updated our rent breakdown
 * successfully blurred boundaries with the finance working group
 * talked about novels
 * fulfilling most of our indiegogo perks
 * researched many fundraising options

what work is currently in progress?

 * our mortgage application (and therefore purchase)

what work needs to be done?

 * grant applications
 * research
 * remaining mortgage todos:
 * creating & improving our financial docs. pro formas, projected budgets
 * improving rent roll (in process - proposed to delegates)
 * compiling necessary documentation - some things we still need to get
 * letters of support from neighbors & BID
 * have a professional to look over app
 * reinstating use permits. important missing pieces:
 * structural inspection from past 3 years
 * laundry list of other things
 * more comprehensive updated floorplans (fire inspection also needs that)
 * demonstrate continuous historical use of building - jenny & DK working on it (avoids $8k fee)
 * DK already scanned & annotated newspapers going back to 1934

what do we need from new volunteers?

 * skills:
 * time commitment:
 * dk: we need people working on on-paper business-plan-esque strategic vision for omni, and for specific aspects of omni focused on generating revenue such as ballroom, event booking...
 * having business plan for event booking would help get loans from people in community who are used to seeing something like that
 * we're gonna make the whole building ADA accessible! paint everywhere! pay to fly anarchists out here!
 * collaterol to excite people
 * have an online brochure advertising ballroom - have your wedding here!
 * matt's summary: enhance production, marketing, therefore making outreach easier
 * communication and coordination tasks
 * get every collective to pay with bank transfers or quickbooks, who isn't already doing it

professional
have a professional to look over app
 * DK talked to a "non-profit specializing CPA"
 * you can get "certified financial review" - they'll rubber stamp it (looks better) and they'll find bugs in your data.
 * rick from BACLT can help
 * michael the mortgage broker
 * marc: worth it. 3-5k tho
 * dk knows someone to look it over but he can't do the official stamp. friend's brother in chicago. won't look at every transaction, just overalls and spot-check stuff.
 * marc: will it significantly help our chances?
 * dk: i think it'll bump our chances. we're so young, inspires confidence.
 * we'll try the unofficial person first. need to give him access to quickbooks - everyone is ok with that
 * yar: also materials for first friday outreach - stickers, etc
 * help with our next crowdfunding campaign
 * save the omni!
 * leader, and workers
 * getting content ready
 * talking to a lot of journalists
 * networking

city stuff

 * discussion of getting zoning clearance & business tax license. maybe we should just go downtown and apply.

in-community lender

 * good for another 10k, but that's it. making less money next month. really need to figure out april rent NOW

p & l

 * DONE
 * take that, profit & loss!
 * now jesse can send 501c3 app. woo hoo!!!