Capital Campaign: COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE, SISTER WATER & A NEW HOUSE
A LONG-HELD DREAM
We are constantly moved and humbled by people who tell us how much Canticle Farm means to them. If you are reading this page, you are likely one of those people, or a friend of one of them. Welcome! We have made this page to share about two long-envisioned and much-needed renovation projects as well as our new house, and to request your help if you have both the willingness and capacity to support our capital campaign.
WHY THIS? WHY NOW?
Canticle Farm is home to a multi-racial, intergenerational, cross-class community including formerly-incarcerated men, recent immigrants and asylum-seekers, and youth activists. We also host many guests, workshops, events and ceremonies with friends and organizations from across the Bay Area and around the world. Our gift-economy-approach has enabled many to enjoy this precious resource that would not otherwise have access to housing, workshops, or a place to meet, strategize, rest, garden or retreat.
Each year we cover our operating expenses through the generous support of many individuals and foundations. Sometimes, big projects and purchases arise that require a bigger fundraising effort = a capital campaign! 2021 is one of those times. We are working to fund the following three efforts this year:
- Community Kitchen & Gathering Space: A home for events, community meals, workshops, meetings, classes (all to resume post-pandemic), and in the meantime to be used as a home for our food distribution and processing efforts, as well as guest quarters separate from any residents.
- Sister Water House of Restorative Justice repairs & debt retirement: We are repainting the house and replacing rotten siding, as well as replacing the front porch and stairs. In addition, we are looking to pay down the remainder of the debt incurred purchasing the house 10 years ago. You can read in much more detail about the house here.
- Purchase of new house: We learned in December that our neighbors of 25 years were moving to be closer to their children, and were willing to sell their house to us before putting it on the market. We took on short-term debt to make the purchase possible, and are fundraising throughout 2021 to pay back our lenders.
space to grow in vision & service
As of Feb 2021, we are about to finish renovating a community kitchen and gathering space. At the same time, we are doing much-needed repairs and renovations on our Sister Water House of Restorative Justice, and have just recently been able to purchase a new adjacent house (yet to be named!)
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS VISION
Are you able to contribute financially?
To see these projects through we need to raise $465,000 in 2021. This will come from grants and donations, both large and small, from an ever-widening circle of people in the Canticle community. All donations to Canticle Farm are tax-deductible.
HOW TO DONATE:
- Preferred: Donations by check, so as to avoid any fees. You can write a check to Canticle Farm, and send it to us at 1968 36th Ave, Oakland, CA, 94601.
- You may contribute by Paypal, if needed, just follow this link. Beware that 3-6% fees will be removed from your donation.
- You may direct deposit to our bank account (fees dependent on your bank). Please contact us for account information if needed.
- If giving through a DAF or foundation, you may need our EIN: 461484633 (if you are giving through a DAF, please consider joining the 2021 Half My DAF challenge, and your donation may be matched.)
ARE YOU ABLE TO ASK OTHERS?
We have found that the people who know and love Canticle Farm are often the most powerful fundraisers! If you would be excited or willing to reach out to friends or family about this fundraising effort, we would be so very grateful, and happy to support you by talking it through with you, writing a template email, or speaking with the people you send our way (inc. giving them a tour on FaceTime or Zoom!) You may also be part of a donor community that you could write to, or part of another aligned group or network that would be excited to know about Canticle Farm.
DO YOU HAVE MATERIALS/things YOU CAN DONATE?
Here is a wish-list of everything we need to set up the new community kitchen and gathering space. You can email us or insert your name/contact info in the spreadsheet if you have any of things you’d be willing to donate, or if you’d be excited to purchase and gift them.
DO YOU HAVE SKILLS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE?
Are you a skilled carpenter, painter, plumber, gardener? We will finish these projects only with many hearts and hands. Please reach out to share your interest and availability. If coming from afar, we may be able to host you here on the land.
