Dear Friends,<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="background-color:#fff"><div><div><div><p>
The SF Citadel is facing one of the greatest challenges in its eight year history and needs your assistance. The lease on our current building is expiring, and we had to find a new location. We are so excited that we were able to find a new home- the new site is at 363 6th St in San Francisco and is roughly 12,000 sq ft, which is a significant expansion beyond our current 5,400 sq ft. This will allow us to offer larger play and social areas, as well as rooms for classes and meetings. Unfortunately, nearly every portion of the building needs basic repairs and renovation. We must raise at least $45K in order to rebuild at our new location. We are aiming to have our last play party at the current (Mission St) location in mid-January and open in the new location by the beginning of February, but this depends critically on raising adequate funds. As of now, we have raised roughly $4000, getting us about 11% of the way to our fundraising goal. We are calling on the greater BDSM community to help raise funds to rebuild our new space.<br>
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We estimate that we will need to spend at least $30K on building materials, equipment, and fixtures in order to make the space usable; we also had significant moving expenses and deposit on the new space, as well as lost revenue while we are closed, bringing our total fundraising goal to $45K. We have an urgent need to raise money for improvements, so that work can continue and we can open on time! One of the most acute needs is for a new HVAC system to heat the building. This item alone will cost over $10,000. We must have this system in place in order to heat the main dungeon area during these cold winter months. In addition, we need to spend thousands of dollars on electrical systems, lighting, flooring, and bathroom repairs. We are using donated or salvaged building materials whenever possible, but must spend cash for certain items.<br>
There are several ways to offer your financial support:<br>
-Contribute online using a credit card or EBT: <a href="https://www.wepay.com/donate/278565" target="_blank">https://www.wepay.com/donate/278565</a> In the `memo' section of the donation please let us know what name you would like recognized, or if you would like to donate anonymously. Unfortunately, contributions are not tax deductible.<br>
-Attend the Wonderland Fundraising Party on December 31st from 2PM to 6PM at the new location. <a href="http://www.sfcitadel.org/Main/wonderland.htm" target="_blank">http://www.sfcitadel.org/Main/wonderland.htm</a><br>
-Bid on more than 50 items at the silent auction held at the Wonderland Fundraising Party. Item list: <a href="https://fetlife.com/groups/45119/group_posts/2007400" target="_blank">https://fetlife.com/groups/45119/group_posts/2007400</a><br>
In gratitude for your support, we are offering gifts to those who contribute at various levels:<br>
All financial contributors will be recognized on an Honor Roll on the walls of the new SF Citadel. Please let us know when you make your contribution whether you wish to remain anonymous or what name you would like recognized on the Honor Roll.<br>
$200 - $499: Two hour private rental in the new SF Citadel.<br>
$500 - $999: Two hour private rental in the new SF Citadel, plus free entry for one year to SF Citadel Open Play Parties.<br>
$1000 and above: Two hour private rental in the new SF Citadel, plus free entry for one year to SF Citadel Open Play Parties. In addition, free entry for one person to all SF Citadel specialty parties (does not include rentals or parties the donor would not otherwise qualify to attend).<br>
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For updates on our fundraising and move status please:<br>
Join the Relocation Group on FetLife: <a href="https://fetlife.com/groups/44615" target="_blank">https://fetlife.com/groups/44615</a> -If you can offer time/energy/skills as a volunteer, this is the place to look for builds, move dates, and more- we will need lots of help and volunteering is a great way to meet people and get involved!<br>
Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/#</a>!/SFCitadel<br>
E-mail: <a href="mailto:themove%40sfcitadel.org" target="_blank">themove@sfcitadel.org</a><br>
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In addition to your financial support, we are asking for your help to raise awareness of this challenge. Please reach out to your friends and contacts in the BDSM community and let them know what must be done in order to fully re-open. The Bay Area has already lost two community spaces within the last two years. Please do not let the SF Citadel meet the same fate.<br>
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Sincerely,<br>
Phil Derby and August Knight<br>
SF Citadel<br></p></div></div></div></div></div>