Event:2016/09/19 Fundraising

Fundraising WG - 19 Sep 2016

Attendees

• Brian, Mary Ann, Jenny, Marcus, DK

Updates

• We have an office! The upstairs Treatment Room approved as an Omni office on Thursday \o/

Finance Update

• Will Omni Make It Next Month: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PU2CZbjRDOccfu9drVvU52xYbLl640ahbPornJkTqAs/edit#gid=211310338
  • A: About $5K under, Jenny talking to Jehan about a loan
• Labitat Loan: Marc and Jenny working on a proposal for a large loan from Labitat, a Copenhagen hackerspace Marc co-founded: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dB1DwyFFTXPKPC_xhF2RWsXn_soMcPjdf8JFKX6IGkQ/edit
  • This would cover 2 months shortfall, Appraisal cost, and annual fire protection service (see doc link for breakdown). Not likely until end of October given their process for decision-making
• Jose: Has reconciled through July 2016, working on balance sheet this week, after which we can file our 990s.

Donor-Lender / Building Purchase

• Jenny talked with Stephaney today (see notes below) about the situation
• Mary Ann also thinks this is absurd
• Jose confused about this... Movement Strategy Center capable of managing the $1m
• Jenny set up a meeting wih Jesse
• Talk to CAST (DK) about how they acquired their properties - has talked with 2 people on their board. they're stoked on Omni, but 1) uncertain on our structure, and 2) occupied with multi-million dollar projects in SF
• State that we're working with a consultant from the NCCLF to prepare our mortgage application
  • What about receiving a small grant from NCCLF?
    • Mary Ann: Think they're more interested in giving us a low-interest loan to do building upgrades once we've acquired the building.

Grants

• Jenny and Laura worked on UU Fund grant app last week, though upon talking with an employee there, discovered they would not fund us as we're one step removed from direct campaigns.
  • However, work is useful for future loan apps: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B4_Q7DQvNFT-YVRQYmhDc1lKR2M
  • See also Jenny's new annual operating budget, which includes 2015 & 2016 actual budget: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18a_YAMJnqTy_wUifSF9asvZpZXz2puen5e8iJPrtRUs/edit#gid=0
• Mary Ann: Can't send in grant apps until we have our financial review finalized. Want to submit to Gladys Valley Foundation
  • Jenny: According to Jose, should be ready by next week
• Also applying to HAAS Fund
• Mary Ann talked to Dan Quigley from the East Bay Community Foundation - never came out and said "we can handle that" but thats how Chiapas got their first 5 years of funding (from an Anonymous donor-advised fund)
• DK: Looked into cost of ADA elevator, ~$150K for all 3 floors
• SOEX Grants due 9/22nd: https://www.soex.org/alternative-exposure/how-apply
• Oaklandish Innovator Award nominations due 11/1: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjmT20xKPxvCppoCCJMug9Y1fo_faVwkE8dDopeYbjdSoGvg/viewform

Next Steps

• Meet with Jesse
• Finish financial review
• Send off 990s
• Apply for grants and secure funding for Oct / Nov shortfall ($12K), appraisal ($4500), fire protection services ($600)
• Formulate a presentation for donor-lender that's as uncomplicated and non-scary as possible, have lawyer talk to lawyer separately

Action Items

• Apply for grants for working capital! https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B-AL95NlI75qMEpZX2lEMTZZRFk [Mary Ann / Marcus]
• Post updates to our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/omnicommons [Jenny]
• Contact Kapor Center contact [Jose]
• Reconcile August & Sep [Jenny/Jose]
• Acquire loan for Oct expenses [Jenny]
• Acquire loan from Labitat [Jenny/Marc]
• Set up a meeting wih Jesse [Jenny]
• Ask Rainen for funding for appraisal [DK]
• Set up office! [all] - Brian & Jenny meeting Sat @ noon to file docs