8. Becoming an LWC rentmaker

Simply click on the link of item 8 in "The LWC rentmaker story" to go to the next page and choose a pledge level.

You can pledge a monthly amount, or donate in one lump sum at the level you desire.

Your mode of payment can be check or PayPal.

7. Making a difference
For the LWC rentmaker campaign, there's an immense difference between hearing "Well, I can't afford anything right now" and hearing "Y'know, $25 (or $10) is so little; I can do something" or "Yes, $50 (or $100) is fair and what I can afford."

With as few as one dozen people, LWC can be in stage two—and on its way to the long-term viability of stage three—within a month!

 

 

6. The math: 43 = 22 = 11 = 107

We can ensure the LWC's rent for almost a year in advance with some pretty simple math—and some amazingly small numbers:

• With 43 rentmakers at the $25 level, or

• Just 22 rentmakers at the $50 level, or

• Only 11 rentmakers at the $100 level

Or even

• 107 rentmakers at the $10 level

5. The pledge
$25 monthly for ten months is the standard level of support. If you're able, please pledge $50 or $100 monthly for ten months; you'll accelerate our reaching the goal of stable orbit. If you have limited income but abundant desire, you can pledge $10 monthly for ten months.

Primary fuel for stage two: rentmaker pledges

4. The rentmaker concept

Once we know the rent is taken care of, we can apply fee-for-services income directly to our counseling and other programs and focus on our mission: to help people who are unfulfilled by work find more than just a job, and in so doing make a difference for a world very much in need.

Rentmakers show us that the rent is taken care of.

Rentmakers are individuals who, through a small monthly pledge of $25 or so over a ten-month period, ensure the rent for almost a year in advance. Then the mission goes on in LWC's stage two: fully self-sustaining—and without grants!

(Shhh: don't tell anyone, but we suspect that the secret in applying for grants is to demonstrate that the organization does not need the grantmaker's money to stay in operation.)

 

 

2. LWC's unconventional wisdom

Our supporters understand that the Life's Work Center is dedicated to fresh thinking and innovation.

The unconventional wisdom at LWC is that even though paying the rent may seem unglamorous, it is the absolute first priority.

If the doors don't stay open, so to speak, there'll be no programs or services.

1. The conventional wisdom

The conventional wisdom has it that people making donations to nonprofits want to see their money go directly to programs and services—not to paying for overhead costs.

The conventional wisdom says that rent is not sexy.

3. The launch of LWC

Life's Work vision: August 1993
Nonprofit founded: April 2000
Office opened: January 2002

Primary fuel for stage one: founder's money