 [send page to a friend] [print this page] [pdf] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Two Emerging East Bay, Sustainable Cafes Raise Funds through a Fun and Innovative Gift Card Program Oakland, CA – February 20, 2007 – Two organic and sustainable cafes in the East Bay have introduced an innovative fundraising model. Awaken Café and Cafe Gratitude are pre-selling large denomination gift cards to raise the funds to open new locations. As incentive, the Cards include up to 25% past the purchase price in added value and other perks. Under this model, the businesses are bringing together a wide group of future customers to play an important role in starting businesses they want in their city. Awaken Café co-founder Cortt Dunlap says “This is a new idea in sustainable community business. We are opening a new business by raising money directly from our neighbors and community members. When 100 people buy a $1000 card, we have $100,000 in start-up capital. A few months later, card holders can use their cards to make purchases at the organic, sustainable café they want in their community.” Matthew Engelhart of Cafe Gratitude says, “We vote with our dollars and most of us want to make a difference. Community supported business, of which gift cards are a part, is a way to belong and support the emerging new paradigm of ‘being attentive to the whole.’” Cafe Gratitude’s website says about the program, “It allows communities to be a part of bringing Cafe Gratitude into being, and it also provides a solid customer base to support the new café and ensure its success.” Kari Christensen, Awaken Café co-founder, adds “Traditional fundraising models often rely on a few individuals or organizations who can invest large amounts in a new business. This gift card model opens fundraising to the communities we are going to serve. There is a lot of interest in creating the world we want to live in. This program creates access to that power through a practical business model.” In addition to an extra 25% in value, Awaken Café’s Program, called “Café Creator Cards,” invites the purchaser to participate in the process of opening the Café. Through conference calls and “Café Creator” meetings, card purchasers are involved in the fun of “dreaming up the café” with Dunlap and Christensen. Christensen says, “This program involves the community from the beginning and allows people be a part of co-creating and sustaining a world they want to live in.” Dunlap and Christensen learned about this model from their friends Matthew and Terces Engelhart, owners of Cafe Gratitude, after witnessing their successful “Builders Program.” The Engelhardts opened their first San Francisco location in 2004. They have since opened a location in Berkeley, a second San Francisco location, and recently opened their fourth location in Marin. The Awaken Café’s grand opening is planned for late Summer 2007. The Awaken Café is currently offering cards in $250, $500 and $1000 denominations. Proceeds from the Card sales will be used to launch their café. The Awaken Café is located at 14th Street near Broadway, in the site that formerly housed the Golden Bull Cocktail Lounge, a historic Oakland night spot. Once the Café’s performance space opens, card holders will also gain admission to performances and art openings, as well as behind the scenes updates about events at the Café. “Gift cards have moved to the forefront of the consumer purchasing experience: approximately two thirds of consumers bought gift cards in 2004,” according to The-Infoshop.com. Awaken Café and Cafe Gratitude are taking this phenomenon to the next level as part of their fundraising efforts. The Awaken Café is a green business, a world-class coffee and tea cafe, an organic beer and wine bar, a fresh and local organic eatery, a community gathering place, an art gallery, and a premiere live music, performance, and event venue under one roof in downtown Oakland. Café Creator Cards are available to purchase online at www.awakencafe.com. Cafe Gratitude offers sacred service, sustainable & vibrant food and an experience beyond words. Find more information about their all organic, vegan live experience and to particpate in the Builders Program visit www.cafegratitude.com. Contact: Cortt Dunlap Megan Brien, Cafe Gratitude LLC ### |
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