project leader
Taryn T
location
920 E Lake St
(Midtown)
latest update rss
Check out our new campaign and event dates in May and June 2015!

the project

MAY 2015: WE ARE CURRENTLY FUNDRAISING FOR PHASE 2!

CHECK OUT THE PAGE HERE: https://www.ioby.org/project/minneapolis-toy-library-2015

 

The Minneapolis Toy Library is a toy lending program for families with children ages birth to 5 years. The library offers an opportunity for families to connect with one another while supporting their child(ren)'s development through play and reducing their impact on the environment. We envision that this project will initialy operate as a volunteer-run, donation-based mobile lending library open to all families in the Minneapolis area.

the steps

Our goal is to offer a functioning mobile toy lending library by the end of 2014. In the coming months, we will be connecting with community partners to determine regular times and locations where the toy library will be offered. We will be promoting the toy library in the community and online to potential members. In addition to accepting "like new" toy donations, we hope to purchase toys to further increase our selection and to complete our collection for ages birth to 5 years old.

why we're doing it

Many parents feel the need to buy new toys to capture their child's attention and stimulate their development but want to balance this desire with frugality whether out of environmentalism, minimalism, or necessity. Furthermore, young children’s interest wanes quickly with toys, so a lending library is a great way to ensure that toys are getting more use than they would if they stayed with just one family (and parents can forgo the headache of storing unused toys). In addition, toy library volunteers can help parents select toys that are appropriate for their child’s development in order to offer the most engagement and learning.

Conversation

What are the details for the next fundraisers?

budget

Revised Budget, 10/2015

Our anticipated expenses were less than we expected as we implemented our project. So we're able to use the funds for additional Toy Library growth opportunities! Here is a revised description of how we'll be using the funds raised during this campaign for operations in 2014 + 2015:



Toys  1377
Cleaning Supplies  12
Tabling / rental space  26
Outreach materials  451.55
Mailings  0
Facebook promo  50
Website  66
501c3 filings, partial  297.45
Total expenses 2280

Revised Budget, 11/13/2014

Toys- $1,200
Cleaning supplies- $200
Tabling/Rental space fees- $280
Outreach materials- $300
Mailings- $200
Facebook Promo $60
Website $40



RAISED = $2,280.00
less ioby Platform Fee (Covered by the Center for a New American Dream) $35.00
less ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) (Covered by the Center for a New American Dream) $106.90
less 3rd Party Credit Card Processing Fee (3% of donations) (Covered by the Center for a New American Dream) $32.69
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = $2,280.00
 

Original Budget: 

Toys- $3,200

Cleaning supplies- $200

Outreach materials- $300

Mailings- $200

Facebook Promo $60

Website $40



SUBTOTAL = $4,000
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5% of total) $200
3rd Party Credit Card Processing Fee (3% of non-match dollars) $60
TOTAL TO RAISE = $4,295

 

updates

Organizing underway!

There has been a great core group of organizers working to get the toy library up and running! The plans to open as a mobile toy lending program are moving forward, and we have come upon some exciting possibilities for community partnerships! Because of these new opportunities, we have decided to delay our launch until all of the partnership details can be worked out.

In the meantime, we are looking for your input to help us with planning. If you see yourself as a future toy borrower, please take our four question survey to share your thoughts athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YF3KPV6. We will be taking this input into consideration when making decisions! Then, keep an eye out for membership details to be posted to our website:mplstoylibrary.wordpress.com

Thank you to our donors!

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Jim D.
  • Jill and Charlie Plain
  • Madalyn C.
  • rachel p.
  • Ann T.
  • Skippy
  • Mara C.
  • Anonymous
  • marine whalen
  • Abby T
  • Rebecca N.
  • sarah m.
  • Anonymous
  • Rosie C.
  • McCall & Adam Dunn
  • Kathryn B.
  • Ashley W.
  • Kaela M.
  • Anonymous
  • Peter E
  • Debora p.
  • Anonymous
  • Barb
  • Vanessa Supple
  • Anca C.
  • Laura N.
  • Mandel Family
  • Kathy Hulsebusch
  • Abby, Aubrey, Natalie, and Baby
  • Molly BD
  • Anonymous