Fundraising attempts

Definitions:

Donation: When someone gives us gizmos, often accompanied by a donation of money.

Contribution: When someone gives us money, but it is not accompanied by a donation of gizmos.

When looking for past grants, one page is Successful Grants page, which has links to some of the past successful grants.

2000

Free Geek opens doors, gains 501(c)(3) status, creates database of contacts.

No paid staff. A few contributors. Started asking for money with donations.

Grants received: Oregon DEQ 2000

2001

Grants received: Samual S. Johnson Foundation

Staff began getting paid in September.

Failed grant attempt: DEQ

2002

First successful direct mailing. Offering tax receipt to all donors as a service along with an ask for contributions.

Thrift Store opens.

Attempt to set up a sustainers' program, with varying

Grants received: Oregon DEQ 2002, Kelley Family Foundation

Started development of a sustainers program (see 3x5 index cards) with different levels of support pledged. This involved a second mailing (that probably met costs), and a concerted effort to get pledge cards out to donors, etc. The effort lacked sufficient follow up and it died out a year later.

2003

Grants received: Juan Young Trust, Meyer Memorial Trust, Collins Foundation

Collaborative Technologies program started. Proved to be a big money drain for the organization.

2004

Grants received: Flora Family Foundation

Failed Grants: Campbell Foundation, Holland Family Foundation

Mailing: Fundraising Letter 0412 (M. Deatherage appeal to her contacts)

2005

Grants received: Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, we turned the money down.

2006

Free Geek broken into. Push in media to ask for help. Money comes in from far and wide. $3,000+.

About $10,000 in employee matching. $12,000 in larger grants.

2007

About $10,000 in 5 contributions of $1,000 or better. $4700 in employee matching.

2008

Give! Guide.

2009