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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrant Req - Sisters Quilt Show#34 Economic Development Fund Discretionary Grant Program Organization: Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Organization Description: The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is a volunteer -based organization, and three paid staffers who organize what has been described as the largest outdoor quilt show in the world. Project Name: Quilt for Two Rivers Project Description: These funds will be used to enhance the understanding of the viral rivers that frame Sisters — the Metolius River and Whychus Creek. This project is a collaboration between the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, National Forest Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. The outcome of the project will be a 40 -foot long quilt installation, as well as a smaller group of four quilts. The installation is intended to communicate the importance of the river to the community, for both cultural and natural resources. The installation will be exhibited at Black Butte Ranch during June 2012 and the Quilt Show in July. Project Period: October 2011 — July 2013 Amount of Request: $1,500 Previous Grants: • May 2007: $2,000 Quilt Show ($2,000 Baney) • March 2008: $1,500 Quilt Show ($1,000 Baney; $500 Luke) • September 2009: $500 Quilt Show ($500 Baney) Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org DESCHUTES COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION Direct Application to: Commissioner Tammy Baney Commissioner Anthony DeBone Date. 1/18/2012 1 Project Name: Project Beginning Date: Amount of Request: Commissioner Alan Unger All Three Commissioners 111 Quilt for Two Rivers 10/2011 $1,500 Applicant/Organization: Address: Project End Date: Date Funds Needed: Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Tax ID #: City & Zip: Telephone: Email: 220 S. Ash St., Ste #4 Contact Name(s): Fax: Ann Richardson, Exec Dir. Alternate Phone: 7/2013 3/15/2012 14-1941732 Sisters 97759 541-549-0989 Ann@soqs.org On a separate sheet, please briefly answer the following questions: 1. Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure, and activities. 2. Describe the proposed project or activity. 3. Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity. 4. Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic health. 5. Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit. 6. Itemize anticipated expenditures*. Describe how grant funds will be used and include the source and amounts of matching funds or in-kind contributions, if any. If the grant will support an ongoing activity, explain how it will be funded in the future. Attach: Proof of the applicant organization's non-profit status. * Applicant may be contacted during the review process and asked to provide a complete line item budget. Tammy Baney: Amount: Signature: Anthony DeBone: Amount: Signature: Alan Unger: Amount: Signature: _ 1. Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure and activities. a. The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show ("SOQS") now in its 37th year in Sisters, Oregon, is well known as the largest outdoor quilt show in the world. Sisters is a cultural tourism destination for visitors from all over the world to celebrate this traditional art. The Quilt Show is the largest event in Sisters providing substantial economic support to Sisters retail and other businesses and community groups, and has expanded to include events year-round, attracting even more tourism dollars to the area. b. The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is a 501C3 non-profit, volunteer based organization with a seven member, volunteer board of directors. Three part time staff members coordinate the organization's events. Two of those are seasonal, part-time — an Events Director and a Fundraising Coordinator. The Executive Director works year-round. c. The purpose of the organization is to educate and inspire the public about the art of quilting and to enhance the cultural and economic vitality of the schools and community of Sisters and Central Oregon. SOQS hosts multiple quilting and fiber arts events and exhibits during the year. The largest and best known is the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, held throughout the streets of Sisters, Oregon on the second Saturday of every July since 1975. The event features over 1400 quilts hanging throughout town on businesses, fences, frames, etc. People from all over the world create the quilted works of art on display. This event requires hundreds of volunteers, man -power and countless hours to ensure proper care, handling, and treatment of these fragile items. Additional events include a month-long exhibit of quilts in businesses throughout Central Oregon (the annual "Quilt Walk); a fiber arts stroll featuring over 30 artists displaying and demonstrating their craft; a month-long exhibit of art & contemporary quilts ("Fabrications — the Art of Quilting") at Arts Central in Bend; "Save it for Sunday" — a continuation of quilt related activities including lecture, walking tours and special quilt exhibits on the Sunday following the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. 2. Describe the proposed project or activity. We are requesting matching funds for the project, "Quilt for Two Rivers", a ground -breaking collaboration between the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, National Forest Foundation and U.S. Forest Service to enhance understanding of the vital rivers that frame Sisters — the Metolius River and Whychus Creek. The National Forest Foundation will provide $1,500 in funding if we have additional matching dollars. Through the lens of fiber art, Quilt for Two Rivers will inspire and educate the public about the need to care for the lost river Whychus, a gem that has been forgotten for centuries and is only recently being rediscovered. The project engages quilters in a unique stewardship opportunity to interpret the beauty of Whychus Creek through their craft. The outcome of the project will be a forty foot long quilt installation, made up of seventeen quilt panels, with Whychus Creek as the single connecting element. A second, smaller group of quilts will consist of four tall and narrow panels, also featuring Whychus Creek. The overall installation will communicate the importance of this dynamic river to the community, for both its natural and cultural resources. The installation will be exhibited at Black Butte Ranch during June, 2012 and the quilts will exhibit at Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in July. From there, the installation will travel to prestigious quilt shows, museums and exhibit locations throughout the Northwest. Half of the proceeds from the sale of the quilts will be donated to the National Forest Foundation ("NFF") to support local, on -the -ground restoration projects that contribute to the health of the Metolius River and Whychus Creek. The other half goes to the quilt maker, supporting local arts and artists. NFF will match the funds raised from the sale of the quilts — doubling our investment. 3. Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity. The quilters attended an orientation session in early October 2011, beginning with a hike on Whychus Creek and ending with a tour of the restoration work on the creek at Camp Polk Meadow. Each was assigned a section of the quilt installation and work has begun on the quilts. A progress meeting will be held February 21; quilts will be finished by May 1, 2012 and displayed beginning June 1, 2012. The installation will then travel for up to a year, beginning with the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma in August and Northwest Quilting Expo in Portland in September 2012. The installation will return to Central Oregon for exhibit a second time during the week of the 2013 Quilt Show. Other venues under consideration include the Redmond Airport, Museum at Warm Springs, Oregon Historical Society and the Old Mill District in Bend. 4. Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic health. In an economy bolstered by tourism, where our arts and natural resources draw visitors from around the world, Quilt For Two Rivers is a celebration of our strengths. The stunning lands that nourish and inspire our artists will benefit from the world-class pieces they create. SOQS generates an estimated $2.4 million for the local economy through its annual July activities. This new project expands the potential show attendance to a new, non-traditional audience interested in the opportunities from connecting art and the environment and providing new funding sources for restoration. The potential new audience includes local non -profits, community groups, students involved in environmental education, public involved in fish restoration and recreation, fisherman, and those interested in biology/ecology and preservation of the land. In diversifying the appeal of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, Quilt for Two Rivers will help to deepen and widen the show's economic impact with proceeds from the sale of the quilts to be invested in the health of our local environment and watersheds. Finally, these Quilts will be on tour around the greater Northwest which will provide valuable outreach and advertising that will motivate more visitors to come to Central Oregon for Quilt Show associated events. 5. Idents the specific communities or groups that will benefit. The participants are twenty one quilters from around Central Oregon, specifically chosen for their ability to use the art of quilting to create a unique interpretation of a theme. They benefit by having their work exhibited to a broad population and by earning income from the sale of their work. The community of Sisters benefits from the broader exposure it will receive for both its focus on the environment and for using the creative art of quilting to explore the connection between art and environment. The stature of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is enhanced by publicizing the quality of work being produced in Central Oregon and through unique, ground -breaking partnerships with environmental organizations such as the Deschutes Land Trust, US Forest Service and National Forest Foundation to bring awareness to the working being done to enhance and restore the local watershed. Each of these partner organizations will benefit from this project. The National Forest Foundation is excited to leverage the impact of the Quilt for Two Rivers and gain further momentum and community engagement for the "Tale of Two Rivers" campaign. This partnership will help NFF reach out to new audiences about meaningful conservation projects that help protect their own backyard. The NFF will appeal to past partners and supporters and work to promote the Quilt for Two Rivers, while also adding organizational capacity to the staff of Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, which NFF recognizes as a truly world-class event and iconic cultural celebration. The Forest Service is working with the quilting group and visitors to the exhibit to heighten their understanding of Whychus Creek ecology, its history and its future. Forest Service Ecologist Maret Pajutee will coordinate several educational presentations to bring the connection between the art quilts and the conservation project to life. Deschutes Land Trust staff led the quilters on a tour of the Camp Polk Preserve where significant restoration work is being done to reintroduce the original stream channel back to Whychus Creek. Cooperative promotion with the Land Trust for this project will build community awareness and support for the special projects the Land Trust is working on and has done in the Sisters area. 6. Itemize anticipated expenditures The amounts requested and the budget below will fund the project through its completion in July of 2013. *SOQS was specifically requested by NFF to apply for this grant. The application was submitted 1/16/2012. Deschutes County Economic Development Funds would match this grant request. In Kind/Donated Services and Activities $ 250 Artwork for project logo donated by Kathy Deggendorfer $ 500 Portion of food & beverage for meetings, receptions donated by local businesses $ 75 Fabric donated by Stitchin' Post $ 450 Value of advertising & promotion provided by SOQS, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, The Stitchin' Post, National Forest Foundation, Deschutes Land Trust, Sisters Ranger district email and website promotion $2,500 Project coordination time donated by NFF Volunteer Coordinator (Karly Hedrick), USFS District, Ecologist (Maret Pajutee) and Donna Rice (quilt project coordinator), SOQS staff $3,775 Total In Kind Committed? INCOME ITEMS US Bank Foundation Operating Support Grant Yes $1,000 Oregon Arts Commission Operating Support Grant Yes $500 Roundhouse Foundation Yes $500 Deschutes Co. Cultural Coalition Yes $1,500 National Forest Foundation Grant* Requested* $1,500 Deschutes Co. Commissioners Discretionary Fund Requested $1,500 Sale of merchandise associated with exhibit $475 TOTAL INCOME $6,975.00 EXPENSE ITEMS Program Coordination $1,700 Quilt Display Materials, signage, artist reception $1,300 Expenses associated with traveling show $1,000 Mailings $300 Quilt Photography, Graphic Design, IT/website $ 1,175 Exhibit Advertising & Promo materials $1,500 TOTAL EXPENSES $6,975.00 *SOQS was specifically requested by NFF to apply for this grant. The application was submitted 1/16/2012. Deschutes County Economic Development Funds would match this grant request. In Kind/Donated Services and Activities $ 250 Artwork for project logo donated by Kathy Deggendorfer $ 500 Portion of food & beverage for meetings, receptions donated by local businesses $ 75 Fabric donated by Stitchin' Post $ 450 Value of advertising & promotion provided by SOQS, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, The Stitchin' Post, National Forest Foundation, Deschutes Land Trust, Sisters Ranger district email and website promotion $2,500 Project coordination time donated by NFF Volunteer Coordinator (Karly Hedrick), USFS District, Ecologist (Maret Pajutee) and Donna Rice (quilt project coordinator), SOQS staff $3,775 Total In Kind City of Sisters February 1, 2007 Ms. Aim Richardson, Executive Director Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show P.O. Box 280 Sisters, OR 97759 Re: OFEA Ovation Awards Dear Ann, On behalf of the Sisters City Council, I wish to frilly endorse the application for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show to be considered for the Ovation Award for Best Festival or Event. We all know that Sisters is a unique place in Oregon. It is one of those communities that define all that Oregon is. Our community is fortunate to have many successful events and festivals which, together with the natural beauty that surrounds us, provides for an abundant tourism economy. Certainly the Sisters Rodeo has made our community famous in the state. But I can think of no other event than the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show that has brought national and international renown to our town and indeed Oregon. This event defines Oregon as well. As you know, every July thousands of visitors from all over the world are attracted to our community and region to attend the Sisters Quilt Show. Those that come stay in lodging all over Central Oregon, if not beyond. Between room taxes and other spending, the Quilt Show brings in S4 million to our local economy annually. In fact, the Quilt Show is the single reason that many of our local businesses survive the winter season. The Quilt Show is more than just dollars generated, however. It binds our community together and defines the essence of our culture. The substantial volunteer support that is needed to stage the event each year is inspiring, whether it is the dedicated pool of volunteers who come out every year to hang quilts, the Cross Country Team that dutifully turns out to flip burgers for lunch, or the scores of children who turn out to sell everything from bottled water to hand -made crafts from their parents shops, learning the values of enterprise and giving to one's community. 1 congratulate the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show on its 30 year record of producing a successful community event that we're all proud of and call our own. We enthusiastically support your application and encourage the screening committee to award this honor to the Quilt Show. Sincerely, Brad Boyd Mayor 520 E. Cascade Ave. ra P. 0. Box 39, Sisters, OR 97759 w (541) 549-6022 in Fax (541) 549-0561 :I I Cllr1Ai1 ER OF Ct 1N1N1ERCE January 26, 2007 291 E. Main r\rel°. P.O. Box 131) Sisters. OR 07750 541-510-0251 l;)x 5494253 c -)nail: iL11 )asisleischauiber.co)n WW w. s is l e rsch am be r. coin Oregon Festivals and Events Assn. c/o Jill Ingalls PO Box 2248 Lebanon, OR 97355 RE: OFEA Ovation Awards To Whom It May Concern: The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, in its 32°d year in 2007 is the premier event in Sisters, Oregon. It deserves to be recognized as the Best Festival or Event in Oregon for several reasons which I will detail in this letter, First of all, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is the largest of its kind — anywhere in the country. For a town the size of Sisters, that is very significant. Enthusiastic quilters descend on Sisters the second Sattirday in July from all over the world! The Sisters Outdoor Quilt show started out as a small local display and has grown over the years to include over 1200 quilts shown in a single day event. Beyond the one -day show, the event has also grown to include classes and other events for the week prior to the show. Secondly, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt show is truly a community -wide event as it includes participation from over 120 businesses which serve as the actual canvas that the quilt show is displayed on. Additionally, there are over 450 volunteers who put in over 1000 hours collectively, just on the day of the Quilt Show. And, lastly, but by no means least, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt show and associated events draws approximately 20,000 visitors to Sisters which contributes conservatively, $4 million dollars annually to the local economy, not to mention the impact on the rest of Central Oregon. Because Sisters is a small comrnunity of only 1706 population, many of the visitors for the quilt show stay in Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Sunriver. The popularity of the event requires visitors to make hotel reservations up to a year in advance. Thank you for your consideration of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show for the Best Festival or Event in Oregon. Should you have any questions regarding this recommendation please contact me. Sincerely, Cheryl Mills, Executive Director "The Purpose n% the Sisters Area Chamber of CO,n,nc'rcc' is to Enhance the Economic 1'itality of its Members and the Conununi!v" r INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE P. 0. BOX 2508 CINCINNATI, OH 45201 Date: SSJ INC C/0 STEPHEN P GREER 499 SW UPPER TERRACE DR STE A BEND, OR 97702-0000 Dear Applicant: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Employer Identification Number: 14-1941732 DLN: 17053107015016 Contact Person: DONNA ELLIOT-MOORE ID,y 50304 Contact Telephone Number: (877) 829-5500 Accounting Period Ending: SEPTEMBER 30 Public Charity Status: 509(a)(2) Form 990 Required: YES Effective Date of Exemption: AUGUST 12, 2005 Contribution Deductibility: YES Advance Ruling Ending Date: SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to you are deductible under section 170 of the Code. You are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. Because this letter could help resolve any questions regarding your exempt status, you should keep it in your permanent records. Organizations exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Code are further classified as either public charities or private foundations. During your advance ruling period, you will be treated as a public charity. Your advance ruling period begins with the effective date of your exemption and ends with advance ruling ending date shown in the heading of the letter. Snortly oefore the end of your advance ruling period, we will send you Form 8734, Support Schedule for Advance Ruling Period. You will have 90 days after the end of your advance ruling period to return the completed form. We will then notify you, in writing, about your public charity status. Please see enclosed Information for Exempt Organizations Under Section 501(c) (3) for some helpful information about your responsibilities as an exempt organization. If you distribute funds to other organizations, your records must show whether they are exempt under section 501(c)(3). In cases where the recipient organization is not exempt under section 501(c) (3), you must have evidence the funds will be used for section 501(c) (3) purposes. Letter 1045 (D0/CG) SSJ INC We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in your power of attorney. Sincerely, Lois G. Lerner Director, Exempt Organizations Rulings and Agreements Enclosures: Information for Organizations Exempt Under Section 501(c) (3) Statute Extension