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Give Money

November 2009

Dear Friend,

Or should I say, Dear Steel Yard True Believer....

I am writing to ask you to buy a day ... of the Steel Yard’s future.

In 2010, a full day at the Steel Yard will cost $131 more than we are sure we can raise right now.

Every day the Steel Yard opens for classes ... makes well-equipped, affordable space available to artists and start-up businesses … throws one of its super-memorable events will require $131 in philanthropy.

The Steel Yard is donor-dependent.  It thrives -- it survives -- because True Believers like you are willing to invest in our mission and in our vision.

Steel Yard True Believers: people who have seen the vision and said, “Yes! I want that in my world.”

Here’s the future you’ll help guarantee:

  • a generation of young people whose artistic interests are encouraged and honored.
  • neighborhoods made beautiful through public art.
  • small, non-traditional creative businesses that grow and succeed.
  • an economy made invincible by a steady level of investment in local, creative vision.


In short: a community conceived, designed and built by those who use it.

A tall order?  Perhaps.  But it’s being nurtured and grown at the Steel Yard every single day.  Well within reach?  Yes, but only if you’ll help by buying a day of the Steel Yard’s future.

You’ve already helped reinvigorate the industrial arts in Rhode Island by helping us introduce thousands of individuals to the power of making things out of steel and clay, glass and iron.  You’ve helped nurture artists as individual business owners by commissioning your projects locally.  You’ve changed local streetscapes by choosing our custom street furniture over generic, mass-produced wares.  You’ve revolutionized futures by supporting our youth programs and cultivating hope in our youngest students.

Most importantly, because of you, the Steel Yard is an organization that cannot afford to fail.

So I’m asking for your help.  I’m asking you to support a day of our future for $131.

We’ve never faced anything like this but we are committed to doing so with honesty and transparency.  I want you to know that we’ve already done as much as we can do internally to offset our $48,000 projected shortfall in 2010.  Part of this involves our staff.  All of us have voluntarily worked without pay for two days each month since July and we will be furloughed for the entire month of January-the month least likely to impact our services and programs.

You see, we are True Believers too.

Tall orders demand True Believers.  True Believers like us.  True Believers like you.  So please help us raise $48,000 to close the remaining gap in 2010.

It only costs $131 a day.

Buy as many days as you’d like.  Buy a day in honor of someone you love.  Buy a Steel Yard
day instead of a holiday gift. Or get together with your friends and buy a week.

We’re counting on you.

What day will your day be?

With warmest appreciation,

Drake Patten
Executive True Believer

 

 


Gifts of all amounts make a difference here:

  • I want to buy ___ days of the Steel Yard's future at $131 a day.
  • I want to support a week for $917.
  • I'm so excited I'd like to support one day a month all year for $1,572.
  • I'm such a true believer that I want a whole month at $5,930.
  • Yes! I'm a Steel Yard true believer, but I can't buy a full day.  Please accept my donation of ___ instead.
  • I'd like to honor ___, or reserve and name the date of __/__/____.

If you have chosen to honor someone, or name a specific date, please fill out the "special instructions" box on the "review transaction" page:
Donation details




Thank you!