Economy and Collaboration

The past several months have been very difficult for all nonprofits (we seem to have a rather large number of them in Arizona). Stronger competition for grant money, attendees to fundraiser events, and sponsorship has many of them scrambling to find the funding needed to continue goods and services. As a new organization, this has been a valuable learning experience for us.

It is essential that the efforts of an organization remain focused on the mission of service to people and one way to do this is partnering with another nonprofit who has a similar focus. That is how our past fundraiser, Karma Cups: An Uplifting Affair with NATN, and our upcoming fundraiser, Evening of the Arts with FTH, is structured. By combining efforts and splitting proceeds with another organization, the mission gets to reach twice as many people, donors, and sponsors than before.

Unfortunately, some organizations don't see it this way and yes, have flat out said NO we will not work with you or promote your event because we have our own fundraiser coming up. This is a mistake because the priority focus becomes the money over the mission.

The next time you attend an event with tickets that cost $100, $300 or more, ask yourself how often that organization works together with other like minded organizations. Are they self serving? Do they produce results claimed in their mission? Find out how much of that money goes to salary and overhead vs the program services. You can find out the information from the local Secretary of State/Charities Division. If the organization you wish to support is a tax exempt 501c3, then all financials are public record.

At Bravery Project, we talk consistently about involving the community and working together to increase awareness to reduce domestic abuse. We encourage you to find charities that do the same no matter what the cause: hunger, homelessness, animal services, etc.

Here is an example:

Evening of the Arts is a partnership between Bravery Project and Fix the Hurt. We are splitting proceeds and 100% will go to program services while 0% will go to salaries. We are encouraging people who can't attend the event to sponsor a pair of tickets to Big Brother/Big Sister and Boys/Girls Club teens/mentors to attend so that we can offer our message of domestic violence prevention to at risk youth. By collaboration, we are working with 4 different organizations and hitting some hot spots by reaching out to young people. It's a win-win for everyone.





Secretary of State/Charities Division (Arizona)
Evening of the Arts
Bravery Project
Fix the Hurt
NATN

VOCA Part 2

Unfortunately, many people who suffer from domestic abuse and sexual assault turn to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain of what is happening to them and easily develop a dependency. When they finally muddle through the chaos to get help, they were turned away from ALL the shelters because of substance abuse.

One courageous lady saw this gap in victim services and decided to take action. My kind of person! She founded the National Advocacy and Training Network and Support Education Empowerment DirectionS ( NATN and SEEDS), which addresses the health, safety, economic and social justice issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse through education, public awareness and direct services. In the SEEDS program, safe homes are provided for women to live in while they rebuild their lives. Whew! a tall order that needs, well... lots of money.

Besides writing grant proposals that don't guarantee results and asking for donations, said founder discovered a new way...a better way. In a previous post, I talked about the reduced funding in the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and how one nonprofit agency has an innovative business model to help bring in funding while keeping with the mission of the service they provide. How are they doing this? By making a cup of joe.

Introducing Cup O' Karma Community Cafe for a Cause or COK for short and formally known as Into the Bean. For about a buck, this prosperous coffee house and popular college hangout was donated to NATN/SEEDs and has become a role model for nonprofit agencies across the country. To simplify things, COK brings in almost pure profit because there is no payroll. Employees are either volunteers or women from the SEEDS program. The SEEDS ladies get job training skills that help them build resumes. Most of the profit from COK goes back into funding NATN/SEEDS. Since the cafe is already established and makes fantastic mango smoothies, chocolate lattes, and awesome green tea fusions all served up with a warm smile, it's a win-win for everyone.

This is the kind of smart business model that produces sustainability for everyone: the nonprofit agency to keep services growing, the job skills for survivors to become financially independent, the caffeine and yummy concoctions to please customer demands--all through the free enterprise system rather than the political or donation system. Everyone involved contributes, not because they have to, but because they want to--talk about spreading the wealth around!




VOCA

COK (Into the Bean)

NATN/SEEDS

News Bites

There are several exciting updates to share this week. Bravery has an official logo for one. Something very simple, clean, easy to understand and mass print. Now it's time for press release packages to go out. Please send an email if there are any media ideas you can share.


Speaking of media contacts, Domestic Violence...the Musical? is about ready for it's debut in El Paso, Texas. Linda and John King have made it a reality. Hopefully when you visit this blog, you can take some time to look at the real time news flashes on the left side of the screen. There is always very interesting information from around the world on domestic violence--art too if you are into that. Well, to my pleasant surprise, one of the news items happens to be about the musical in El Paso. You can also read about it here. I will be teaming up with the Kings to set up an official website for the musicals in the near future. Additionally, Bravery will be joining the DV Musical at the Herberger in September. I've always wanted to show my art at the Herberger, and we'll be there! Will you?


Another exciting adventure for Bravery is a new event at Cup O' Karma Cafe for a Cause, formally known as Into the Bean, as a benefit for National Advocacy and Training Network. The coffee shop is an uber-cool place with a fold out stage and fun atmosphere. The reception for that one is scheduled September 4th. Even before the October debut, Bravery is in a position to start helping other nonprofits in a specific way. More to come on this later.


One of the items to be offered at these events will be Bravery t-shirts. I found someone to sponsor 100 t-shirts and another company to donate the screen printing. What a blessing. Now what we need are some cool ideas for t-shirt designs. Something that is fun and presents the message of being Brave. If you have an idea, please send an email. I'd love to hear from you.