End of year Appeal

A donation link and mailing address is listed below. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Dear Friend,
 
            I am writing to ask for your help to ensure the continued success of WNYBAC and all that we have accomplished.
            If anyone would have told me that the Western New York Book Arts Collaborative (WNBAC) would have grown from a small group of people talking at Richard Kegler's and Carima El-Behairy's house, dreaming of ways to conserve WNY’s printing history, into a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has a semi-renovated building, 200 plus members, a print studio, a public exhibition space and a tenant as prestigious as Just Buffalo Literary Center in less than three years, I would have said IMPOSSIBLE!
           You have all helped make it happen in so many different ways. The sweat equity in tearing out walls and removing debris by so many made the Book Arts Center ready for Typecon, a nationally renowned typography and design conference that brought 500 international designers to Buffalo.  Working together, we made this neglected building presentable in less that one month from the purchase date!
           Your support continued.  As soon as a building was secured, donations of equipment began pouring in. Once again, the muscles of many helped to create the print shop we now have.  Many of you have taught workshops here, or donated your time giving demonstrations of your craft, or helped publicize our organization; and others have helped setting up for exhibitions. To me, this collaborative community spirit is the essence of WNYBAC.
           I wish I could say that we are firmly established. We are not. Our building still needs new windows, an elevator, updated plumbing, and other necessary renovations.  We also need to raise money to support a small staff, so programs we've initiated this year, including one that provides the educational support our local schools are clamoring for, can be fully implemented.
            We have moral support from foundations, but monetary support has not as of yet materialized. We did not know that major foundations require an organization to be in operation for three years before they are willing to give support.  We are close to the three year mark.  However, we now know that we cannot count on funding that is not already in our hands.
            We have set a goal of $50,000, which will cover immediate expenses, our small staff, the winterization of the building, and help ease the pressure for 2010. If you can, please make a tax-deductible donation in any amount that you are able. You can make your contribution either by mail: WNYBAC, 468 Washington Street, Buffalo NY 14203 or via paypal (see below).  
            We thank you all for supporting WNYBAC in the past, now and in the future.  Working together, we will continue to make the impossible possible.

                                                         
                                                                        Harold Leader
                                                                        President
                                                                        Board of Directors

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Donations in any amount welcome.

Checks may be made payable to:
WNY Book Arts Collaborative
PO Box 770
Buffalo NY 14213