Considering PPC as a non-profit cafe

Current website message…

Thanks so much for being a patron, a friend, and a reason for PPC to exist. Our mission is to help you feel a part of your community, in whatever way matters

most to you. It is not demographics that build community but the people and the caring that engages you – we hope to awaken that spirit here.

Our coffee shop is the meeting place that pulls many local community groups together. We are happy to be the gathering spot for local churches, disc golfers,

educators and business networking groups and so many other community groups. You will find links to some of the community events and information that

are near and dear to Park Place Coffee. We welcome more ideas on what “community” means to you.

Quick history of Park Place• Opened in Jan. 2007 by owner, Dina DiNucci, in a lease space that

had sat empty and for lease since being built, 5 years prior.

• Crepes were chosen because of the international tie, as crepes are blinis/blinchikis in Eastern Europe, Jian Bing in China, Palacinkas in Hungary, and offered a multicultural option based on topping choices.

• Became the place for many local efforts to intertwine, and where others came to gather information, meet others and understand their community.

PPC began bringing new efforts into Rockwood with groups meeting for

various events never before thought to be “conveniently located” in Rockwood.

Above: One of many groups that meet at the cafe

Left: One of 3 large campaign events held at PPC

Below: 3 high schools come together to celebrate Crepe Day – a cultural event.

Below: Community Bunco Nights -- building friendships

AT THE CAFÉ

Below: Mayor’s Walk

AFFECTING COMMUNITY Pictures:

Red: Each year a different group has helped host a giving tree to benefit SnowCapBlue: PPC has helped organize and sponsor regular disc golf clean-up events in the neighboring park. Green: A typical disc golf event through the Rockwood Winter Series w/registration (100 at a time) at PPC.

We work to give the community a voice.

• Information on local events, resources and revitalization efforts are shared with the community, through reader board, information sheets and online resources.

• It has turned this corner of Rockwood into a destination where people stop to enjoy the surroundings.

• More knowledge is gained and shared within the doors of this café, then is available through any data sources. (Crime information, service needs, etc.)

• The café becomes involved in mentoring those who are working toward improvements. Examples: Disc golf clean-ups, Slavic church interest in crosswalk for members

It is not only the big efforts that count in Rockwood, but the many small efforts too.

PPC is a gathering spot for …

Members of the neighboring churches: St. Anne’s (the designated Hispanic Catholic church for Portland/metro area); Home of God Slavic Church.

Members of the neighboring schools: Portland Lutheran School, Centennial Learn.Ctr.

Park Users: In efforts to bring families to the park, Vance Park becomes a desirable “outing” when families can check out disks, blankets and refreshments

Neighborhood Children and Social Service Providers: Professionals utilize Park Place to meet w/children, play games and maybe borrow disks for rapport-building.

Rockwood is an area where many social service providers travel to interact with clients.

And there is no better access to the general population of Rockwood than IN THIS LOCATION.

A LITTLE ABOUT NON-PROFIT CAFES, SHOULD WE BECOME ONE?

Non-profit cafes are becoming more common… with various models in varying neighborhood types. I believe Park Place Coffee was the model of a non-profit café without the non-profit status, thus an easy transition that can build a stronger model.

QCafe in Seattle, started in 2002: • Partners w/roasters that sell direct trade coffee; • 10% of all café sales go to non-profits (local and global); • Hosts events, fundraisers, film screenings, music shows and discussion groups

to help raise awareness on local and global issues; • Collects and distributes blankets to the homeless.

Café au Play, just opened in Portland: Misison to create a nonprofit to meet the needs of diverse families for a comfortable, accessible space that encourages social interaction, genuine and sustainable support, creative stimulation and community inclusion.

Taborspace in Portland: Housed w/free rent in the corner of a Presbyterian Church, but run through community volunteers. Coffee and food is donation only. Approximately 12 baristas volunteer here.

B. WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN FOR PPC TO TRANSITION TO A NONPROFIT CAFÉ? Quick overview. Many nitty gritty details!

1. FUNDING: Determine if funding would be consistently available to sustain the café’s operationsa) Determine potential funding sourcesb) Determine daily cost of operationsc) Determine cost of equipment/start-up

A. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES OF PPC BECOMING A NONPROFIT CAFÉ?

Beside those items listed on the information sheet, please share your opinion and information

2. OPERATIONS: Determine services/amenities offered, method of payment, staffing, etc. – all affecting FUNDING also.

a) Paid staff member/organizer?b) Volunteer staff base? c) Donations only or cost for items

3. EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES: Is this café going to contribute to others efforts in community?; Is this café going to re-organize or redesign itself, it’s menu, it’s name? What else should the café do?

What do we need to do to get there?

• Raising money: Umbrella of another non-profit to start collecting donations?

• Volunteers to help organize the plan?• Volunteers to serve on Board of Directors?• Volunteers/experts to prepare non-profit status paperwork?• Donations required to file for status (see start-up cost

considerations)

What are we missing? Next steps?