S1: QVS Finances
We believe in being as transparent as possible about our finances. An overview of the QVS financial model is outlined below, and high-level income and expense information is linked on the QVS website.
The QVS budget hovers around $1 million per year. Site placement fees ($19,000 to $21,000 per Fellow) account for under half of our annual operating budget, funding the baseline costs for each city such as rent, utilities, Retreats, and Coordinator salary. To fund remaining operational expenses such as national staff salary, recruitment, national orientation, equity funding, and overhead expenses, the QVS fundraising staff must raise an additional $30,000 per Fellow. Fundraising income is comprised of contributions from individuals and Quaker meetings, and grant funding for special projects.
QVS’s financial model is based on mutual investment and resource sharing. We invite donors and community organizations who align with our vision into a relationship with QVS. Because site placement fees cover a large portion of our expenses, we’re able to spend less time fundraising and on administrative costs, and more time invested in Fellows and the local program. None of the “income” is automatic, though. It is dependent upon time and energy spent building and sustaining relationships — visiting donors, presenting at Quaker gatherings, and analyzing and communicating impact. On the flip side, our expenses are discerned through a collective process, using feedback solicited from Fellows, board members, and staff. Budget line items like equity initiatives, loan support, mental health coverage, and an increased personal stipend each came from learnings from Fellows. More information on the financial support offered to Fellows is found here.
QVS’ Financial Model
When QVS started, Fellows were essential to our fundraising efforts. Each year, Fellows bring in new connections, relationships, and resources. In 2012, at the start of QVS, Fellows were expected to fundraise $2,000. We learned that Fellows felt anxious about hitting a specific target. It was relatively common for Fellows to feel resentful about the expectation. We've also learned that the original target of $2,000 reflected early assumptions about class and privilege that simply aren’t true for everyone.
In recent years we've made a deliberate effort to reframe the conversation around fundraising. We want to make sure the priority is on storytelling and relationship-building since we see fundraising as a form of organizing and movement-building. We’re excited about the work we’re doing. We want to tell our story in a way that invites others to invest in us.
As a Fellow, you’ve become part of the QVS story. When you talk about your experience in your network of relationships, you help us connect to a broader and more diverse network of potential supporters. Throughout the year, QVS will invite you to tell your story. We hope you’ll tell your story in a way that invites others to invest. How might your invitation increase the momentum for social change?
As a participant, we are asking for you to engage in the work of fundraising in the following ways:
Be involved in/host a fundraiser in your local city (timing dependent upon city)
Fundraisers are great opportunities to practice hospitality and storytelling. Many of our Local Support Committees already work to put on a fundraiser in your program city. How can you collaborate with local Friends to organize a fundraiser? How can you help those in attendance leave with a greater understanding of and deeper connection to QVS? How might you tell your story in a way that invites others into the work? Who might you extend an invitation to?
Testimonial Creation (May/June)
Writing a testimonial gives you an opportunity to reflect on your QVS experience, spiritual growth, and vocational exploration. We highly value this practice and invite Fellows to create a written, video, pictorial, or other form of testimonial to be shared with our wider community of supporters. This offers you a chance to share your perspective, helping us to gather the many voices and multitude of experiences that make up the QVS program. During the testimonial process we ask that you reflect on: What intentions did you come in with and how have you lived into these intentions this year? How has this year with QVS changed your understanding of Quakerism? What has been the most meaningful part of living in intentional community? What have you learned?
Understand the Potential of Your Story (throughout program year & beyond)
If you are inclined to invite members of your community to contribute to QVS,you are welcome to encourage them to donate their time, resources, or money. In the past Fellows have asked family to donate furniture to help furnish a new QVS house; connected QVS to particular mission-aligned granting organizations they are personally associated with; have their church or home Quaker meeting contribute an annual gift; and invited a family member to contribute in honor of each month they’re in the program.
There are many ways individuals can give to QVS. For instance, many alumni continue to be engaged in fundraising efforts to support QVS’ future cohorts. Haley, our Development Coordinator, will be happy to hear your questions and ideas about how to invite your network to support QVS!
Allow your Coordinator to Share Glimpses of Your Life as a Fellow
QVS supporters and potential applicants are eager to learn what Fellows are up to throughout their QVS year. Donors who don’t reside in QVS cities really appreciate the opportunity to remain connected to QVS through our social media posts. These supporters are holding you in the Light and supporting and advocating for you throughout your QVS year. Potential applicants often turn to social media to see what a QVS year is like. Your Coordinator is required to post regularly about your QVS city. Some Fellows become weary of these kinds of posts as the year progresses, but we hope you will allow us to continue to share about your experience in order to help us maintain the community ties which are vital to our fundraising efforts. We also invite you to contribute content to our social media channels! Please reach out to our Development Director if you would like to post reflections on your experience.