Birds of a Feather
The Birds of a Feather monthly giving program was created in an effort to stabilize our cash flow while also rewarding those donors who go above and beyond in their giving. Many think that the bulk of our funding comes from government grants, but that is not the case. Our Missouri Arts Council funding fluctuates every year, but has been declining steadily for the past decade. The City of Columbia provides funding as well, which also fluctuates from year to year.
To put it into perspective, these two government entities combined provided us with approximately $16,000 in 2017. This averages out to less than $1350 per month. While we are grateful for that support, it is only a tiny portion of what it takes for us to fulfill our mission. Our monthly operating costs are $10,000, just to pay utilities, maintain insurance, buy supplies, service our equipment, pay the instructors, etc. That is our minimum, "keep the lights on" baseline of need. We have to cover that before we even begin to think about growing and hatching any future ‘nest eggs.’
We have a lot of donors that faithfully give once a year, but now we’re asking them to give in monthly increments instead. Even if the total amount we receive from donors is the same at the end of the year, it will help us tremendously to have that money spread out evenly over the 12 months. That consistency will enable us to avoid highs and lows and plan for the future.
To put it into perspective, these two government entities combined provided us with approximately $16,000 in 2017. This averages out to less than $1350 per month. While we are grateful for that support, it is only a tiny portion of what it takes for us to fulfill our mission. Our monthly operating costs are $10,000, just to pay utilities, maintain insurance, buy supplies, service our equipment, pay the instructors, etc. That is our minimum, "keep the lights on" baseline of need. We have to cover that before we even begin to think about growing and hatching any future ‘nest eggs.’
We have a lot of donors that faithfully give once a year, but now we’re asking them to give in monthly increments instead. Even if the total amount we receive from donors is the same at the end of the year, it will help us tremendously to have that money spread out evenly over the 12 months. That consistency will enable us to avoid highs and lows and plan for the future.
Birds of a Feather Annual Membership Levels and Benefits:
- Hatchlings - $15/month: Receive a free Access Arts T-shirt
- Fledglings - $25/month: Receive a free Access Arts T-shirt and Handmade Ceramic Mug
- Feathered Friends - $50/month: Receive a T-shirt, a Mug, and free one-day Workshop
- Spiraling Larks - $100/month: Receive a T-shirt, a Mug, a Workshop, and a free 6-week Class Registration
- Winged Wonders - $300/month: Receive a T-shirt, a Mug, a Workshop, a Class, and 5 tickets to CelebrARTy
- The Big Birds - $500/month: Receive a T-shirt, a Mug, a Workshop, a Class, 5 tickets to CelebrARTy, and a private Raku firing for up to 10 guests