Hi, Jen!

Our numbers for 2007 reflect adding staff and increasing our capacity in the last quarter, and we didn't have a clear budgeting plan until the end of the year, but if it helps:
The shop generated around $10,000 with our suggested donations structure.
We made $5,000 with our own events and by being a part of community events that generate money for nonprofits.
We scored a grant for $5,000.
We earned around $500 in here's some money because we like you checks.
We started off with almost $2,000.

We spent $3,600 on rent ($300/mo for 600 sq ft...and our space is probably too small).
We spent $5,000 on supplies (tools, consumables, shop improvements).
We spent $7,500 on administrative things, including $500/wk for one fulltime paid staff person starting in October.
We spent almost nothing on events.  That's way different this year, but the net total is coming out ahead so far.

Over all, we spent around $16,000 and brought in $21,000, with the bulk of that activity taking place starting off with our shop clean up, and continuing as we increased our shop hours, added staff, sought grants, etc.

The words "shoestring" and "grassroots" come to mind.

-rachael
sopo/atlanta


On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 10:27 AM, Jennifer Nordhem <jen@milehighmess.com> wrote:
Jay,
We are already in the process of becoming a 501(c)3.
We're at the Articles of Incorporation and By Laws
writing stage.  I know the questions I asked were
lengthy, I'm just a little overwhelmed, which I'm sure
you can understand.

Jen


--- Jay Varner <jay@sopobikes.org> wrote:

> Hi Jennifer,
>
> I'm glad you've found the wiki and website useful.
> To answer some of
> your questions - most (if not all) the shops in the
> community that
> operate on grants and donations are non-profit
> (501(c)3)
> organizations. I'm not sure what model you are going
> for. The answers
> to your questions can be a bit complex. To help us
> help you, I'd
> suggest giving this a read and figuring out where
> your project fits:
>
>
http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bike_Collective_Starter_Kit
>
> On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 9:00 PM, Jennifer Nordhem
> <jen@milehighmess.com> wrote:
> > Hello everyone, my name is Jennifer Nordhem of the
> >  soon to be Battlesteed Custom Bike Works in
> Denver.
> >  We're currently looking for places to rent for
> our new
> >  shop.  I noticed some people say they don't,
> which
> >  would just be a miracle that I don't foresee
> coming
> >  true.
> >
> >  Here are the questions I have:
> >  How much do you pay for rent?
> >  About how much money do you receive monthly from
> >  grants, donations, membership fees, sales, etc?
> >  How much do you spend monthly on tools, etc?
> >
> >  I want to get a grasp on what kind of
> income/outflow
> >  to expect so I can budget how much we can afford
> >  spending on rent.
> >
> >  Thanks everyone!  The website and wiki have been
> >  extremely helpful so far, I'm really happy to see
> such
> >  a supportive community.
> >
> >  Jen
> >  _______________________________________________
> >  Thethinktank mailing list
> >  Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
> >
>
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Thethinktank mailing list
> Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
>
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
>

_______________________________________________
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org



--
Sopo Bicycle Cooperative
404-425-9989
www.sopobikes.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours of operation:
Tues/Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm
Sat/Sun 2 pm - 5 pm