When I founded PAN in 2023, I self-funded everything: the website hosting, canva premium cost, printing pamphlets, and much more. I wasn’t sure where things would go, and adding fundraising to my long list of volunteer tasks didn’t appeal to me.
PAN has taken off in a HUGE way. Bigger than I ever imagined. Our community is hungry for information about low-income resources. Our social media is constantly growing. I am being invited to do presentations to community groups. Our website traffic is exceptional. I have built meaningful relationships with other local organizations and clients.
This growth has been organic and strong. I am excited to take the natural next step with what we offer. Some of what is developing includes:
*More frequent community presentations, adding increased costs for pamphlet production and gas for transportation.
*Expansion of what our website can offer, involving an upgrade to our hosting subscription and an increase in cost.
*Supporting more clients to access resources by printing application forms using my own printer, requiring more frequent purchase of printer cartridges and paper.
*Attending local events and conferences, needing purchase of promotional materials and signage.
*And finally, creating a children’s snack food program for low income families in Nanaimo. This program would tie client participation to learning about and using local resources, with the goal of seeing our families improve their overall quality of life.
I live on provincial disability, like many of our clients, and my budget has stretched as far as it can to support PAN. It’s time to ask for help.
I am working hard to apply to local sponsors, as well as to apply for grants. Having non-profit status is helpful in this regard. We are not yet a charity with CRA status, but I will start working on that as well. We do have our own bank account now!
Speaking of the new bank account…
If you are in a position to donate, would you consider sending $10 to support PAN?
Your contribution can be sent to povertyadvocacynanaimo@gmail.com
Thanks, friends.
-Sarah
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 