“A person cooking is a person giving: even the simplest food is a gift.”
- Lauri Colwin
Giving Tuesday
at Mendocino Art Center
For our Giving Tuesday campaign, our vision centers on fostering deeper connections with neighbors and visiting artists alike by creating a shared space at the Mendocino Art Center—a welcoming refuge to gather, cook, share meals, host gatherings, and find rest.
Crafted in harmony with our coastal landscape, local ecology, and vibrant community, this kitchen will serve as an open studio for resident creators, culinary artists, to experiment, cultivate ideas, and share food-centered practices, while simultaneously acting as a sanctuary for our community who seek warmth, togetherness, and shared abundance.
Fundraiser Tier System
Tier 1: Sprout (Community)
Target Contribution: $25 – $250
What it funds: Locally sourced, scavenged, and salvaged materials, e.g. regional wood, textiles, native plants.
Tier 2: Hearth & Soil (Low-Impact Systems)
Target Contribution: $250 – $1,500
What it funds: Low-carbon or carbon-neutral kitchen appliances and utilities.
Low-carbon induction cooktop
Countertop composting unit
Modular solar panels
High-efficiency products
Donor Recognition: Name included on a collaborative, upcycled ceramic wall mosaic inside the space.
Tier 3: Gather & Rest (Modular & ADA Furnishings)
Target Contribution: $1,500 – $3,000
What it funds: Custom millwork, furniture fabrication, and other construction costs.
Accessible, collaborative surfaces for cooking, dining, and work.
Modular, flexible seating and lounge furniture for resting and hosting
Bookshelves, pantry, and other storage
Donor Recognition: A small, discreet plaque burned or carved into a piece of the locally sourced furniture.
Tier 4: Creative Catalyst (Residency Workspace)
Target Contribution: $5,000+
What it funds: Durational support and equipment for the Greenhouse Residency, e.g., zero-emission research tools, specialized mobile demo carts.
Donor Recognition: Prominent name recognition on the entrance donor board.
