Firestorm Cooperative
Firestorm is special in that it is a worker-owned and self-managed collective business that puts people and planet before profit. Founded in 2008, this unique bookstore and coffee shop aims to provide community space, critical literature, and an alternative economic model based on cooperative principles. They host several important grassroots organizations in their coworking offices, including immigrant rights group C.I.M.A and the harm-reduction project The Steady Collective.
By 2015, Firestorm had outgrown its downtown Asheville location and was looking to relocate. Unfortunately the cooperative was faced with a community in the midst of a massive wave of gentrification and skyrocketing rents. Finding a new location was proving to be an extremely costly and difficult prospect.
Synergetic Strategies was happy to help consult with this organization on the logistics related to their move, and to help develop a strategic plan for their relocation effort. This included the design and implementation of a fundraising campaign that included online crowdfunding, a sustaining membership program, and fiscal sponsorships. Responsible for production of digital marketing content along with targeted ad buys across multiple platforms. In addition to executing a successful front-end fundraising campaign to secure the new location, we also assisted with issues related to buildout and city permitting.
How to find a new location for a unique worker-owner cafe and bookstore in the midst of a wave of gentrification.
Developed a strategic fundraising campaign that included online crowdfunding, a sustaining membership program, and fiscal sponsorships.
Crowdfunding campaign met monetary goal, grand re-opening a huge success.