The Continued Success of Markets DEPENDS on Customers LIke you
Dear market shoppers and supporters:
We trust this message finds you well. At Neighborhood Roots, our mission is to foster a thriving community built on the foundation of local food. Your ongoing support has played a pivotal role in the success of our farmers markets in the Nokomis, Fulton, and Kingfield neighborhoods. Today, we come to you with a heartfelt request: Would you consider making a generous donation to support our mission and help us continue our community-building efforts?
Neighborhood Roots operates on a shoestring budget considering the extensive reach and impact we have. We host a total of 68 unique markets annually. In the summer season, we host markets three days a week, in three different locations. In the off-season, we host monthly Winter Markets. All of this is accomplished on an annual budget of just $115,000, yet our markets generate over $2 million annually in financial transactions. Operating at this frequency and quality requires not only hard work but also specialized skills that volunteers alone cannot provide.
Our dedicated team plays a crucial role in the success of our markets. Our full-time market manager (Erica), along with a part-time seasonal assistant (Nisa), work tirelessly all summer to support vendors and create a welcoming community event. Behind the scenes, our part-time Development Manager (Mara) handles fundraising, sponsorship, marketing, and partnerships, ensuring the sustainability of our markets.
Why Business Sponsorships Aren't Enough:
We operate as a 501c4 nonprofit due to our primary focus on agricultural commerce, which means that many large businesses and foundations cannot include us in their charitable giving programs. Additionally, a challenging economy has put some expected sponsorships at risk. Individual donations from customers like you are essential to help us bridge this funding gap.
Sustaining Our Commitment to Vendors:
You might wonder why vendor stall fees alone cannot cover operating costs. It's because we are deeply committed to our farmers and vendors, and significantly increasing stall fees would limit the accessibility of our markets to many beloved vendors. Vendor stall fees contribute to only about 55% of our operating expenses.
Your Contribution Matters:
Your support has always been invaluable, and now, more than ever, we are counting on you. Our goal is to close our funding gap by raising $10,000 in individual donations by October 31st. To donate, please visit www.neighborhoodroots.org/donate. You can make a one-time contribution or choose to give recurring contributions, providing us with stable, year-round funding.
Your donation is an investment in our efforts to:
Provide sustainable marketplaces for over 120 local farmers, food makers, and artisans.
Create a resilient food system by enabling direct connections between shoppers, farmers, makers, and artisans.
Strengthen the buying power of shoppers using EBT by matching their first $10 with an additional $20 to spend at the market.
Retain staff and pay them an appropriate wage.
We hope you'll continue to support our markets, not just as a customer but as a recurring contributor. We hope you recognize the importance of the Fulton, Kingfield, and Nokomis markets, our dedicated vendors, and our hardworking staff.
Warm regards,
Neighborhood Roots Board and Staff