You are receiving this email because at some point in the past you contacted 1304 Bikes, whether it was to donate a bike, inquire about getting a bike, or to help out in any way. We are writing you now to ask for your help in re-opening our doors after 4 years of being closed. We have found a new space in downtown Raleigh, but we need to raise enough money for our first years rent plus some start-up costs. This will give us the time needed to focus on re-establishing our previously successful programs and to create a sustainable fundraising model that will carry us into the future. We have 10 days left in our campaign and still have a ways to go, but if everyone who reads this email gave just $15 we would get there! So please consider donating. We are running a fixed campaign, so if we don't reach our goal, we get nothing and you will get a full refund. You can read below for more information or head to our funding site to see pictures, check out the perks we're offering, and make a donation. Thank you all for your support, past and present, and our apologies if you have already received this or donated (thank you!)
*Donation Page:* http://igg.me/at/1304bikes/x/2593075
*More detailed info on 1304bikes and our fundraising campaign:*
As Raleigh’s only non-profit bicycle program, past or present, 1304 bikes filled a unique niche in the bicycle community. Established in 2005, it was the only place where Raleigh residents, regardless of income, could earn a bicycle, find spare parts, use community tools, and receive repair instruction. Our parts and tools were provided to residents at no cost, and participants in the Earn-a-Bike program could obtain a free bicycle by volunteering to help at the shop for 1-8 hours. Our other programs included Open Shop where access to tools and used parts are freely accessible to the bicycle community and Kid-a-bike where donated kids bikes are refurbished and distributed at no cost to children.
Over the years, the popularity of 1304 bikes grew and the organization became widely loved by the cycling community. 1304 bikes served a wide-spread and diverse cross section of the Raleigh population, including youth, college students, the homeless and cyclists of all walks. The number of shop users and Earn-a-Bike participants grew with each year we remained open, and we were on track in 2009 to have over 300 people complete the Earn-a-Bike program. Our busiest summer months would typically see 25-30 successful Earn-a-Bikers as well as up to 50 shop users during open hours. Our new space will allow us to continue the growth we had, as well as to reach new people and expand the programs and services that we offer.
1304 bikes also provided a valuable outlet for residents wishing to see their old bicycles reused and recycled instead of going to the landfill. We try to minimize as much waste as we can, re-purposing parts and bikes we cannot use into work stands, bike art, jewelry, etc. What we cannot use, we recycle including steel, aluminum, and tires.
Unfortunately in 2009, 1304 bikes was forced to cease operations due to improper zoning of the building we operated in. In the last 4 years, little traction was made in finding a new shop space, especially one that was centrally located and affordable for a nonprofit with a meager income. At last though, we have finally found a new space in downtown Raleigh that we are excited about! It is on N. West St. and we will be renting 1,500 square feet of warehouse type space with the potential to expand as we grow. But with little funds in our account and no fundraising mechanisms in place due to our 4 year layoff, we are going to need some help. We are asking for the community’s support helping us to raise our first year's rent up front as well as some start-up money for tools, signage, workbenches, etc.
We are running a fixed funding campaign, which means we will only get funded if we reach our goal. We feel that for 1304 bikes to thrive, we need to act now and spend the next several months focusing on reestablishing our previously successful shop programs and rebuilding a member base rather than worrying about fundraising. If we meet our funding goal, it will give us the breathing room we need to get 1304 up and running again; otherwise we will step back from 1304 bikes and hopefully find other ways to be a positive part of the Raleigh community. We initially got involved in this project because we loved riding and fixing bikes as well as the sense of community that came with those things. Please help us get back to sharing what we love and rebuilding that community by donating.