Annual Update 2022
We’ve all just emerged from a year that seems to have defied the space-time continuum.
This update arrives in February as further evidence. The REAP Center is both proud and sometimes overwhelmed by the enormity of what we have collectively accomplished. Yet in the context of our expansive mission, there is still so much more we can do with the foundation that has been laid. Embracing paradox is a strategy, especially in the context of climate change, regenerative processes, community resilience, and shaping systems where natural capital moves to a prominent role in our hearts, minds, and balance sheets.
REAP’s nonprofit mission and mandate are rooted in biodiversity in soil, as one of the most powerful regenerative tools available to enhance nutrition, sequester carbon, and build community resilience.
The first year can be challenging for any organization, and sometimes even more so for a non-profit. However, the REAP Center is now well on it’s way to being a world class biodiversity and carbon oriented art and science center, anchored by a playful makerspace. This land was undeveloped with zero infrastructure and was partially a dumping site when we arrived, and we are proud and humbled by all that has been collectively accomplished this first year.
We have settled into the land with an understanding of it’s needs along with the community we serve. We have settled into our budget and obligations, and have already completed most of the big upfront infrastructure endeavors. We have a clear path to launching our remaining programs and fulfilling our climate promises and resilience solutions. We have developed a business model for operational solvency with a balanced blend of commercial enterprises, countless grant opportunities, and philanthropic development.
THE TRANSFORMATION HAS BEGUN…
Lists are fun, so here is what we’ve accomplished this year — not in any particular order and with some items undoubtedly forgotten.
Our Structure & Organization
Hosted over 300 visitors or volunteers
Raised $542,926 from 96 different people and organizations
Secured commitments for upcoming donations of $225,000
Formed a nonprofit organization and were granted 501(c)(3) status, previously under a fiscal sponsor
Engaged the railroad in partnership, with a transition plan
Employed 4 people
Hired 3 small local individual contractors
Mentored 6 interns and high school students
Received counsel from countless advisors
Doubled our budget from YR1 to YR2 in a meaningful way
Site Work, Infrastructure, & Resilience
Moved, received, or shaped over 1,200 tons of earthen material
Built off-grid resilience with two separate commercial-grade solar trailers, each with two 48v 540 amp hour flooded lead-acid batteries, 2.5kw of solar panels, and oversized inverters
Received 14kw of additional (mostly new) solar panels and various batteries
Built systems to manage over 1.5 million gallons of water, including 5,500 gallons worth of IBC totes
Purchased or were gifted assets of big and small tools, generators, building materials, a full-size truck, and motorized carts, with access to dedicated heavy equipment
Acquired 1,240 sq/ft in shipping containers, plus 630 sq/ft in other permissible structures
Built a community lounge and outdoor kitchen
Promised donation and services from an acclaimed chef to build a commercial kitchen
Built ½ mile of architecturally attractive fencing and artistically decorative gates
Built 1,000 sq/ft a two-tier compacted earthen stage, with historic Posey Tube as a backdrop
Built initial wood shop, metal shop, and sewing loft
Honored by countless other professional services generously gifted to REAP
Nature Based Systems & Regeneration
Created over 200 tons of new soil from recovered wood chips, sawdust, brewery grain, and love
Caring for 4 sheep, with at least one lamb arriving soon
Hosting 4 beehives and an emerging bee program, plus planted pollinator garden
Built chicken coops, currently awaiting the flock
Implemented a (challenging and costly) hydrology plan, including embracing 600 feet of bioswales, spillways, and retention basins
Built 12,000 sq/ft of growing area for permaculture community gardens
Partnerships, Programs, & Orgs Licensing Space: Current & Upcoming
Abundant Earth Foundation: current partner, former fiscal sponsor
Alameda Young Naturalists Club: w/after school programs and summer camps
100K Trees for Humanity: w/goal of planting 100K new trees in every urban city
Kiss the Ground: implementing their youth curriculum
Several breweries for spent grain (nitrogen) and wood workers, mills, and arborists for carbon inputs
Without any outreach or marketing, the current pipeline for onsite members is 8 groups with 42 members total. Their contributions represent 25% of the monthly budget and 285 community service hrs/mo. Move in targets range from 3/1 to 5/1. These are for members with dedicated spaces.
Day members and coworking guests coming soon
Events program and classes are currently being scoped
We are excited to finally be ready to apply for grants
What’s Next? So much, but here’s a partial list…
Complete South Campus with the interactive soil labs and exhibits
Assemble greenhouses and classrooms
Launch after school programs and camps in partnership with Alameda Young Naturalists
Move makers into onsite spaces and onboard day members
Formally open the permaculture community garden
Strengthen relationship with local schools and shared curriculum
Bring in two major art installations to anchor sculpture garden and edible park
Grow science exhibits and ventures for worms, fermentation, fungi, and compost
Hire grant writer and other essential staff
Host nursery and tool lending library with 100K Trees for Humanity (& surprise partner)
Harden and expand infrastructure
Deepen partnerships with Alameda at large
More and more people come every day to be a part of what’s happening with the center. Please come visit to get a sense of this half-mile-long community-centric labor of love.
We are actively serving our mission and community, but the REAP Center is roughly $300K away from formally opening our doors to the public and being independently solvent for baseline operations.
We are seeking $500K to buffer for cashflow, to seed our scholarship program, and to support a couple exciting initiatives not yet discussed publicly.
Please join us and help however you are able.