The Bike Project of Urbana has a membership program.  Memberships lasts a year.  Since we're in a college town, we give students a discount...  $40 for non-students, $25 for students.  This membership gives access to the shop and tools during any open hours.  Open hours are those that we have scheduled with volunteers on-site.  We're open 4 days a week.

There are also ways to get a shop access key (requires a deposit) which would allow someone to come into the shop during off-hours.

Members get...

*Access to the shop and tools
*Discounts on used and new parts
*Access to the "Build-a-Bike" program (which allows them to build up a bike from the donated bike pool at a substantial discount)

Beyond memberships, we make money by selling volunteer-built bikes to the general public.  I don't think we currently have any grants.  One thing to point out is that I don't believe we are a non-profit.  I guess Not-for-Profit would be a better description.  I think a goal is to become a non-profit.  I've only recently joined so the details on this stuff are still a little fuzzy to me.

--sam
Staff Volunteer at The Bike Project

On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 3:13 PM, Gern Blanston <getgern@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
First off, BikeRoWave is an incorperated Co-op.  We began as a Not for Profit, all volunteer, all monies go back into the Co-op style project.  We offer hourly and 1/2 hourly shop rental rates.  Rates are $7-hr., $4-1/2hr. Customers are renting space & use of tools. (Not just 'stand time', as that is too limiting, what if customer doesn't need a stand, just some tools, see) We offer basic lubs on the work bench included in shop rates.  Other than plain lubs, all other parts, are for sale. I'm thinking of filling a shop reusable squeeze bottle for a 'one use' portion of high cost/grade oils/lubs to offer for sale around a buck.  We offer an Annual Shop Pass Card for $100, that gives the named card holder Unlimited shop time for one year to date.  We are in the process of reviewing the $100; it may increase to, say $125.  Origainally, we did not know better, we called the Annual Shop Pass Card a 'Membership'.  When we incorperated as a member owned Co-op, we realized the volunteers are the Members/Owners/Volunteers, so we can't call the public customers members.  BTW, I would love to have a catchier name, than, Annual Shop Pass Card...  like with 'spoke card' in it or something!!
We have some L.B.S. discount programs, but I'm not too sure of their effectiveness, and or use.
Hope this helps
Gern
Board Chair
Inventory Manager
BikeRoWave Co-Op Inc.

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