It’s hard to remember the beginning of 2020, isn’t it? Like so many individuals and businesses, the Hive entered the year with a real sense of possibility. We were excited to introduce a new membership model that offered both pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward options. We knew our effort to increase Hive accessibility would only be possible by deeper investment from our past and present membership.
Things don’t always go as planned! Our landlord suddenly announced they’d be taking their building off the market and we scrambled to find a new home, making a significant investment to renovate our new space on Hoffner Street. We planned an exciting series of opening events this Spring, including a major fundraiser to recoup those renovation costs. Needless to say, this didn’t happen.
The pandemic has hit creatives, the service industry, and social services especially hard. From January through October, the Hive has seen a drastic decline in membership revenue driven by both fewer renewals overall and a much higher proportion of pay-what-you-can membership requests than expected.
At the same time, we knew the Hive community needed us now more than ever, so we invested in technology and training to move to a virtual format in March, began offering classes to non-members on a pay-what-you-can basis, and indeed offered free classes to all in the May/June session. The total value of our scholarship memberships, tickets, and free May/June programming has reached $25,000 for 2020 to date. And the very significant silver lining is that we’ve increased participation by 30% vs. 2019 and can now welcome participants (and new members) from all over the country and abroad into our online events and class experiences.
Adding this all up, the Hive is high on momentum and commitment, but faces a significant financial challenge. We need to increase membership and donor support in order for this organization that means so much to so many people to survive and thrive. We know that everyone’s finances have been affected differently in this chaotic year and we recognize that for some, a gift isn’t in the current budget. But for those of us who have the good fortune to be able to help, please consider making a year-end, tax deductible gift that reflects what you’ve come to appreciate and hope for from the Hive.
Our 2020 goals include $50,000 in donations (and happily we are already at $30,000 as donors have stepped up) and 50 new, renewed, or upgraded memberships.
So how can you help?
Make a tax-deductible gift:
Make a one-time or monthly gift of $25
Make a one-time or monthly gift up to $200
Make a one-time or monthly gift up to $1000
Reach out to troy@cincyhive.org to discuss major gifts or class sponsorships
How do I give:
Donate online by visiting https://www.cincyhive.org/give
Mail a check to Cincy Hive ℅ Troy Bronsink 4229 Brookside Ave., Cincinnati OH 45223
Memberships: Open up a whole world of learning opportunities and chances to interact with over 1200 hours of facilitated peer-to-peer groups to deepen your creative, contemplative, and activist practices.
Email niki@cincyhive.org for any questions about membership or to purchase a gift membership
Any action on your part in this season makes a difference. We are so grateful for the vision of our donors, the gifts of our facilitators, staff and members, and the commitment of so many who make it possible to be the Hive together. No more being mindful alone!
Warmly,
Troy Bronsink
Hive Director\Founder