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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 2020)
news No Money, No Problem HOW NONPROFITS CAN RAISE FUNDS WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES By Taylor Perse A s gatherings of all sizes are canceled, many nonprofits are losing annual galas and brunches — events intended to garner the donations that keep organizations running. To make up for lost revenue, an Oregon nonprofit created a gift card fundraising idea that benefits nonprofits, community members and businesses, and that model is moving to Eugene, thanks to a local environmental group. This model was produced by Politisit — a Portland- based nonprofit that provides childcare funds for care- takers who want to participate in civic meetings. After its annual fundraising brunch was canceled, the organization had to think creatively about how to raise donations. “We were going to have our third anniversary brunch,” says Politisit founder and Board President Rachel Sow- ray. “About a month ago it looked pretty clear that was not going to happen, so I tried to figure out what to do that’s virtual.” Sowray came up with the idea to hold an online auction that supported Politisit and local businesses. Here is how it works: People purchase gift cards to a local business, whether it be a restaurant, coffee shop, retail store, etc. Then the supporter donates the gift card to the nonprofit, which can be a write-off on taxes if the organization is a 501(c)(3). The nonprofit then takes the gift cards and auctions them off online. Community members bid and win gift cards to local businesses, and the nonprofit acquires funds. Politisit’s auction launched on Friday, and Sowray says they are already sending out cards to bidders. She says it looks so far like they may raise more than their brunch fundraising event would have, and she is encouraging other nonprofits to do this to get donations. “My hope is that we can get this out to other nonprofits to use,” Sowray says. In Eugene, the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) is adopting the gift card auctioning model, and has already seen support for it. Ashley Chesser, executive director of NCAP, says when she heard of Politisit’s idea, she thought it would work well for her nonprofit. NCAP had also canceled plans for a fundraising event, and Chesser was looking for a way to support NCAP’s staff and community. This seemed like a positive option. “I said, ‘Oh, this is an amazing model, I’d love to support our local community in that way,’” Chesser says. Sowray says this donation model could outlast the pandemic-induced stay-at-home orders and shutdowns because it connects people with businesses and nonprofits. “I think one of the nice things about this for people is they feel they can still be connected and take action at the moment,” Sowray says. “So many people are willing to take action.” ■ Find out more about Politisit and its initiative to support local businesses at Politisit.org. NCAP and its gift card auction can be found at Pesticide.org. Takeout and Delivery Books its normal hours and also provides curbside delivery and pick up. Owner Scott Landfield says at first he was sure his business would “go belly up.” “After a day’s rest I got over that,” he says. “We have a really creative staff here, and we keep coming up with ideas.” Tsunami had to cancel all of its upcom- ing events, including local writers giving talks and performances by local musi- cians, which are a part of the bookstore’s income. But Landfield says they are trying to take advantage of small business loans while brainstorming other possibilities to draw customers in. the front door and curbside delivery, One idea Landfield is looking into is she says the staff still helps people scheduling individual appointments for find books to read. browsing. He got the idea from Capitol Smith says some customers call Bookstore in Washington, D.C., which and ask, “This is my budget, what does is letting customers peruse their your staff recommend?” The staff then stores with a reserved time slot. discusses their picks and bags up Meanwhile, customers are different books they think the still putting in big orders, he customer would be inter- says, perhaps because of ested in. all the time they have to Overall, Smith says, read and the re- it’s strange to see the cent selling of store so empty, and she their stocks. looks forward to the day Tsunami has sold Illustration by Chelsea Lovejoy when people can browse the a lot of rare books online, shelves again. But for now, they and the staff is working hard to are making it work. put together their own picks of books Although downtown Eugene is empty, Jeremy Nissel for people to purchase in bundles for themselves or kids. of J. Michael’s Bookstore is still trying to get his books Tsunami has someone who will deliver books on a bike, out to customers as well. His employees are being paid if needed. Landfield is also delivering to select customers. but not working to minimize their risk of contracting the He adds that keeping the business open is a bit of a virus. Nissel is working by himself to keep things running mission, but that it’s an ongoing process. Eugene is a smoothly. healthy community, he says. “I was nervous enough that I’m just working by myself,” “Books are an essential service,” Landfield says. “And Nissel says. that’s why [Gov.] Kate Brown didn’t cross off the possibility He’s at the shop most days, making deliveries to most of being in business.” ■ customers within a five-mile radius and pulling together Smith Family Books is open 10 am to 5 pm Monday - Saturday, 541- 343-4717; Tsunami Books is open 10 am to 7 pm Monday - Saturday orders for those who want to pick them up. and 10 am to 6 pm Sunday, 541-345-8986; J. Michaels Books is open 10 Like other open bookstores, Tsunami Books has kept LOCAL BOOKSTORES ARE PROVIDING CUSTOMERS WITH READING MATERIALS WHILE MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING By Taylor Perse E ven in our technology-driven world, nothing compares to the smell and feel of a physical book. And these quarantine days of COVID-19 are no exception. But don’t wait days for Amazon to deliver. Local bookstores are still providing reading material while maintaining proper social distancing. Although many retail businesses, including public libraries, are closed, Smith Family Bookstore, Tsunami Books and J. Michaels Books are providing customers with the option of picking up purchases and ramping up their online deliveries to meet customer needs while people are quarantined. Evon Smith, owner of Smith Family Bookstore, says she has seen an increase of people wanting to read books, even if it isn’t a habit they’ve kept up with recently. “We’ve had people calling for books they’ve read before and want to read again,” she says. “Which tells us, there is something about a physical book that is comforting right now.” With increased social distancing measures in place, she says people have the option of choosing e-books. But Smith says physical books are not only comforting, but they provide a break from the constant screen time, whether that’s for kids or from adults working from home all day. Although Smith Family has seen a drop in business, Smith says the bookstore is still doing what it can to provide for customers. In addition to offering pick up at E U G E N E W E E K LY . C O M am to 5:30 pm Tuesday - Saturday, 541-342-2002. A P R I L 2 , 2 0 2 0 7
