Grants talk:Project/Rapid/Wikipedia Day, Los Angeles

Hello, Julie and Richard! Thanks for this application for a Rapid Grant. Normally, we might be a little concerned about refreshment costs of $600 and an expensive cake at $350, but we understand that you are purchasing these items from the venue, who is donating the space to the event and also providing beverages, and so it makes sense to allow an exception in this case. Congrats on securing such a lovely venue for your event. That is certainly an achievement. I sure hope it is a very yummy $350 cake. Nom nom nom... :)

Hello, and thanks Winifred Olliff (WMF Program Officer) talk!

Good news that the Ace is going to let us bring our own cake, as they realized that the cost would be prohibitive for us otherwise. I LOVE THEM. I just did some pricing, and I think $200 will cover us. I overestimated the $600 on additional beverages/snacks; I think the actual figure will be less.

Just a few budget questions / recommendations for you before we make a decision:

1. Can you provide us with some more details about the $150 budgeted for materials and $150 budgeted for miscellaneous and reimbursements? It would be good to have a better sense of what materials you are purchasing and why (and whether or not any of them can be re-used at future events), and what types of reimbursements for volunteers you expect might be needed. This way I can make sure that any expenses we approve are fair relative to what is requested for similar events, and ensure that we follow our guidelines for reimbursing volunteers.

For materials, I budgeted for name badges, printing, whatever white boards or paper materials we may need. Again, it will probably be less, and we can donate everything to an upcoming edit-a-thon. For miscellaneous/reimbursements, that really was miscellaneous, just in case we had unexpected expenses. Reimbursement was for volunteers to cover any transit costs.

1. And I realize this is a very mundane question, but inquiring minds must know... if parking at the venue is included why is additional parking needed for volunteers/speakers/guests? Is this because those folks will need to arrive early and stay late, and parking won't be covered by the venue during this time? How was the $150 budgeted for additional parking determined?

The Ace is giving us five parking spaces; I budgeted for an additional 5 @ 30.00. I don't think we'll need them - there's a huge march in LA that begins on the same block as the Ace; I doubt people will drive.

1. Finally, I think we already sent you some stuff from the store for the event, so we can remove the $150 from your budget allocated for that ;)

Yes!!! Thank you. The order went out today!

For future grant requests, please use the form provided here: Grants:Project/Rapid/Apply. Then Email the Rapid grants team using the instructions provided. This will avoid miscategorization of your request. We almost missed this one, but Bluerasberry saved the day!

Thank you! Winifred Olliff (WMF Program Officer) talk 19:06, 10 February 2017 (UTC)

I emailed JSFarman and Pharos to answer questions here. Blue Rasberry (talk) 19:11, 10 February 2017 (UTC)

Thanks, Bluerasberry. I meant to tag them in the first place, and I Emailed them too, so they should be on the job. Thanks again for your help! Winifred Olliff (WMF Program Officer) talk 19:19, 10 February 2017 (UTC)

Given the above, we can knock $400 off the budget. Should I edit the grant request? Please let me know if you have any more questions and thank you!

JSFarman (talk) 22:13, 10 February 2017 (UTC)

Thanks, Julie. Yes, please do update the budget, and then I'll approve :) Winifred Olliff (WMF Program Officer) talk 22:30, 10 February 2017 (UTC)

Done! It's now $1050, just under 20% of which is for cake. :) Thank you! --JSFarman (talk) 00:00, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

Thank you, Julie. This grant is approved. Enjoy your weekend. Janice and Morgan will be in touch to help arrange the grant. Your list of speakers is truly impressive, and it looks like a great program for the event. It's great to see the collaboration with Art+Feminism and UCLA. Nice work! Best, Winifred Olliff (WMF Program Officer) talk 01:49, 11 February 2017 (UTC)