PROJECT RESCUE

PROJECT RESCUE
Aggressive Fund Raising Effort to Save Marco’s Art League

The Art League Marco Island Center for the Arts is set to celebrate 40 years of service to the community in a positive manner while facing a negative financial situation. Although confronted with a challenging financial dilemma, as most non profit organizations are experiencing nation wide, the climate of the Board of Directors and membership is positive. A plan developed by volunteer fund raising consultant Dave Rice, implementing several avenues to raise a minimum of $100,000.00 needed to remain open, in addition to creating a new business model for the future, kicks off the first week of November with PROJECT RESCUE beginning November 1st and The pARTy – A 40th Anniversary Celebration taking place on November 7th.

Noted Rice, “When faced with the biggest challenge in the Art League’s history, our Board of Directors, Executive Director and membership have approved a plan of action to Save Marco’s Art League from the possibility of closing. Drastic problems call for drastic action and PROJECT RESCUE, designed to end in June, is developing into a unified team effort which will make the Art League stronger than ever for the future”.

Financial Facts:

• Debt - $100,000.00
• Financial Loss for every hour of operation - $62.00
• Annual Budget of $318,000.00
• Membership of approximately 450
• Percent of budget covered by dues – 14%

Action to Date:

• Limited days and hours of operation
• Reduced staffing
• Program curtailment
• Listed one lot for sale

PROJECT RESCUE Programs are in addition to the regularly scheduled programs, events and classes that produce income for the annual operation of the Art League. A listing of the organization’s 2009/2010 scheduled programming is attached.

PROJECT RESCUE will be implemented in two phases:

Phase One
– November 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010
Goal - To raise minimum of $100,000.00 plus to eliminate the debt
Phase 1 has been successfully completed!

Phase Two
– On going project by the Board since July 2009 Goal – To develop a new business model that provides for increased revenues to cover the current $62.00 per hour loss and ultimately operate the Art League on a balanced budget