Founding a Non-Profit: Redding Fashion Alliance
What began in 2016 as a conversation about the potential of the fashion industry in Redding, California became a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization in 2018.
photos courtesy of Jamie Solorio Photography, Enjoy Magazine, and MC Hunter Photography
Redding is a rural city 3 hours north of San Francisco. Historically, it has never been a fashion design or manufacturing hub. Redding is my hometown where I lived while working as a fashion designer. Despite the restrictions of limited resources, equipment, and education through sheer force of will and inventiveness, I founded Dark Pony Designs in 2009 (later rebranded as Dark Pony Couture). Dark Pony Designs was my handmade fashion brand that was sold on Etsy and brought in sales around the globe, won a spot on MTV, a viral "Little Mermaid Wedding” feature, and editorials on Green Wedding Shoes and The Wedding Chicks. Although I didn't realize it at the time, this self-made fashion business success would make me an expert on how to create fashion in a new and different way in a place that makes it unusual.
Jan Kearns, Robin Fator, Rachel Hatch
In the summer of 2016, Rachel Hatch wrote an article for the local newspaper, The Record Searchlight, and posed the question: "What if Redding had______________" Jan Kearns answered this by saying "Small batch manufacturing and a creative economy" and I followed that up with, "Resources, education, and support for makers and designers in the local area." Between the three of us, we laid out the concept for what would become Redding Fashion Alliance.
As the three of us embarked into non-profit start-up mode, we held a free community event called Fashion Futures in September 2016 at the Shasta Venture Hub. Over 100 people showed up to learn from a handful of local designers and a local fashion photographer. We were pleasantly surprised by the interest from the local community. From there, we met and brainstormed about what this fashion non-profit concept would become, its purpose, and ultimately its structure.
Beginning in February of 2017 we began the work of becoming a non-profit by first starting as a fiscal project of the Shasta County Arts Council. We shared space with ArtsMart (an entity of SCAC) in a retail location on the east side of town, we held classes and workshops for kids and adults. We offered booths for rent and applied for grants. In October of 2017, The Women's Fund (a local grant-making organization) awarded $10,000 to our fledgling non-profit to fund a program called Making Opportunities for Success that benefited victims of domestic violence by teaching sewing and entrepreneurial skills. In November of 2017, Jan and I became Co-Executive Directors, formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation, brought together a board of directors, and started the stack of IRS paperwork needed to make it official. All of this activity and hard work caught the attention of the McConnell Foundation. With a focus on activating space in downtown Redding and a mission to support creativity, placemaking, and education, they generously awarded Redding Fashion Alliance, Inc. a $115,000 grant to move our operations downtown, expand our social entrepreneurial business model, give access to co-working maker space, and establish a retail storefront for local creatives to sell their handmade goods.
2018 was one of the most challenging and rewarding years of my life. I was no stranger to bootstrapping, startup hustle, and thinking outside the box, but this endeavor stretched me to my limits. Being the Co-Executive Director of an organization that was in the process of defining itself forced me to learn at hyper speed, to be nimble, and to apply my leadership skills daily. From laying down laminate flooring to writing class curriculum to inventing Redding Fashion Week, Jan and I made something out of nothing with the help of our generous funders and donors.
In September of 2018, the Redding Fashion Alliance received its IRS 501(c)(3) designation letter! It was official; we were officially making a difference. Jan and I made a good team; it was a balancing act made possible by trust, communication, and unique skill sets. Every business and organization is only as good as the team behind the scenes.
2019 brought hope and challenges, but our team showcased what we did best together: creative making, community gathering, and keeping hope alive. Although my time with the organization ended as the year came to a close, I am proud of the hard work, lessons learned, successful fashion shows, kids who got the chance to learn to sew, the inspiring stories, and the platform we created for designers to showcase their work. Learn More about Redding Fashion Alliance: www.reddingfashionalliance.org
