Minneapolis Presents did a wonderful job putting together the calendar fundraiser project, and all we had to do was sit back and reap the benefits. Now that we have the money from the project, we'd like your input on how to spend it!

At the organizing Brrrunch we brainstormed ways to spend the money, and I've organized these ideas into a list, below.

As you read through the ideas and give feedback, keep in mind Grease Rag's mission to "encourage and empower women/ trans/ femme (WTF) cyclists in a collaborative and fun learning environment through rides, discussions, shop nights and educational seminars in a safer space." In other words, we want to get as many WTFs on bikes, enjoying riding and gaining skills that promote confidence and independence. Grease Rag also promotes a "fix it, don't toss it" attitude.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments, or email us at greaseragmpls@gmail.com.

List of items we discussed*
(If you'd like to help out with one of the tasks mentioned, please let us know and jump in!)

$550 : Caps with GR logo printed on them- for sale, prizes (Wicking, three-panel hats including screenprinting from Walz caps cost 19.99, plus a $30 charge for ink, putting the cost of 25 caps at $529.75, meaning each cap costs GR $21.19. Totally open to using locally made hats/ screen printers if anyone has a hookup.)

$300 : Mobile tool kit for GR and GR events (Would someone like to contact Park/ QBP about donating a tool kit?)

$300 : "Shayne-pend"- Jamie pays Shayne for the time she spends with GR. (This is why we love Shayne/ Sunrise Cyclery) We thought it would be a good idea to have a pool of money to use as a stipend for a WTF mechanic (Shayne or ?) that would like to lead a special session or host an event. e.g. A mechanic chosen to lead a "Spring Cleaning" skill-share or a "Build a Bike" session would get a lump sum for their service.

$286 for 125 kits or : Patch Kits w/ tire levers with GR logo- We could give these away for free!

$200: Build a community bike for GR- Use money to buy parts and assemble bike as a group for GR use

$100: Purchase front and rear lights that could be loaned out on group rides (There are cheap lights at Boynton at the U of M, Welna Hardware, and Axeman but I don't have prices or availability right now. Anyone want to take this task? If we could get these at a deep discount or could get a grant, it would be great to hand these out for free!)

$100: Buy books/ zines for the GR library (We will post a list on the blog of what we already have, and we will solicit suggestions/ donations before we consider buying.)

? : Reflective stickers with GR logo (or other text)- for donation, sale, prizes (I contacted skaalys.com about an estimate for 100 stickers.)

$50: Buttons with GR logo- for donation, sale, prizes (Zazzle would charge $51.47 for 50 buttons, meaning each button costs GR $1.03.)

$50: Spoke cards with GR logo printed on them- for donation (I don't actually know how much these would cost to make. Anyone have a clue?)

$40- $60: Nice Ride subscription for Group Rides (We contacted Nice Ride about donating a subscription. We are waiting to hear back.)

We will be setting aside $200 for "operating costs." This includes costs of flyers, and incidentals. (If anyone has a hook-up for free/ cheap copies let us know!)

Grease Rag is a collective. We all have different interests and skills, and one of the benefits of working as a group is that we can pool our strengths and creativity to get amazing results! I hope that all of you feel that Grease Rag is as much yours as I feel it is mine. We are happy to facilitate and help achieve what you all want for the group, but in order to do that we need your input.

Thanks for caring and thanks for sharing.

*This list is of the items that can be purchased.  I will post another list of events and other fundraising ideas in a few days.  Also, the costs are all estimates from what I could Google.  Grease Rag is TOTALLY into DIY/ local artists, so if you or someone you know can help us out- holla!