Pre-Incubator Program

Participant: NobleMotion Dance

Program Term:

02/2012 – 1/2013 Contact:

Andy Noble

Artistic/Executive Director noblemotiondance@yahoo.com

832-627-9664 www.noblemotiondance.com

Spitting Ether: Lorelei’s whisper

Photo by: Lynn Lane

Participant Profile: “The mission of NobleMotion Dance is to make work that is emotionally daring and honest; inspires discourse and understanding amongst diverse communities; and integrates dance, theater, and technology in unique ways.”

• Incorporated in 11/2009 • 2012 operating budget = $50,000 • Number of Board Members = 5 • Main challenges we faced prior to the Program:

• Increase pay for NMD dancers • Expand the board of NMD • Increase organizational support by compensating staff • Increase visibility through marketing of NMD’s performance & services • Move NMD performances to a larger performance venue

Enters the Pre-Incubator Program on Feb 2012

Outcomes Summary What difference did the Pre-Incubator program make?

• What is different now compared to the beginning of the grant term?

• Nominated and elected a Treasurer and Vice-President

• Voted and approved a Board Evaluation Policy and Responsibility

• Board approved a 2012-13 Budget at the end of 2011-12 fiscal year

• Started reporting budget quarterly to the Board of Directors

• Shared draft of Board Binder with current board members

• Instituted Written Board Commitments (Board Commitment Pledge and Board Financial Commitment Pledge)

• Created and elected Board Committees (Executive & Financial)

• Drafted Board Nomination Forms and shared with other board members

• Worked with lawyer to draft new contracts that broadly protects NobleMotion Dance, specifically its board members and directors

• Increased artist fees

Spitting Ether: The Chamber

Photo by: Lynn Lane

Outcomes Summary

• Developed a new website for the company

• Clarified and began implementing stricter internal controls

• Instituted a new reimbursement policy for purchases

• Initiated cultivation of two new donors for future giving opportunities

• Implemented several new accounting practices that make our books easier to comprehend by outside parties

• Began development of stronger system for tracking current donors/patrons

• Clarified board and executive director roles and created job descriptions

• Updated NobleMotion’s Guidestar account and uploaded IRS 990’s

• Increased our fundraising goals

Spitting Ether: The Chamber

Photo by: Lynn Lane

Use of Funds Awarded $7500 towards administrative and/or programmatic expenses including dance compensation, light artist compensation, and part-time Company Manager.

Description1 Amount Type 2

Dancer Compensation

$4,000 Program

Light Artist Compensation

$750 Program

Tech Director $750 Program

Part Time Company Manager

$1,000 Admin

Choreographers $1,000 Program

Spiting Ether: Lorelei’s whisper

•What specific differences did these funding investments make to your organization?

•Hiring/Retention of first rate dancers.

• Allowed us to compensate the artistic and production staff.

•Helped with fulfilling our mission of integrating technology and dance.

Photo by: Lynn Lane

Financial Trend

$20,070

$37,261

$49,750

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

$70,000

$80,000

$90,000

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

Op

era

tin

g B

ud

get

Revenue Expenses Linear (Revenue) Linear (Expenses)

Keys to Success • List significant accomplishments and strides

made throughout your grant .

– Working as a team to meet deadlines

– Lots of conversations with board members and support staff

– Setting aside blocks of uninterrupted time with a clear goal of completion

– Increased fundraising

– Clarified/Expanded Board

– Reorganization of financial records

– Clarified vision of organizations future

– Increased confidence in running a non-profit organization

Spitting Ether: Earth

Photo by: Lynn Lane

Lessons Learned • What were your course corrections?

– Did you learn anything through the Pre-Incubator that would have made you do things differently from the start of the project?

– Be specific when identifying your financial chart of accounts

– Internal controls are essential for granting agencies

– Do you have significant findings from within your organizational structure that might be applicable to or advice for future Pre-Incubators developing their capacity?

– Organizing of finances; create clear chart of accounts

– Internal controls; create checks and balances.

– Board expectations; identify ways to delegate

– Future grant proposal preparation; keep good record keeping of this process

– Remain true to yourself

Spitting Ether: Lorelei’s whisper

Photo by: Lynn Lane

Summary of Future Plans

• Increase budget in the next fiscal year to

$75,000

• Fall performance at Zilka Hall

• Additional programming; Spring

performances

• Increase payment of artists

• Increase Board to 7 total members

• Upgrade Quickbooks

• Increase community awareness of our

organization

Spitting Ether: Luxate

Photo by: Lynn Lane

Haiku

When leaves are young

and not quite green;

the soil is its richest.

Spitting Ether: Landing Light

Photo by: Lynn Lane