Unlike our larger grant that we give away at the end of the year, there is no theme–the only requirements are that you are a nonprofit and that your work will impact Raleigh. The even better news is that the application is short and sweet–please click here to download. Please forward the RFP to any and all organizations that might qualify! Tell them to share the story of the great work they are doing and make sure to submit a proposal by March 5, 2012.

The grants committee will review the proposals we receive and select ten finalists for the membership to consider. Members will be able to read the finalists’ proposals and cast their votes online in late March. We will then announce the winner at a ‘Beers with Bees’ event in April. 2011 members and new 2012 members who have completed a pledge form and donated at least $25 by the start of the voting period will be eligible to vote online.

Upcoming Events:

In other news, we will be selecting our 2012 large grant theme at a general membership meeting on March 19th. We will meet at 7:00 pm at Natty Greene’s.

We have also set a date for the 2012 Bee Ball! This year’s big event will take place on May 19th at the Berkeley Cafe. Mark your calendars!!

Thanks for all your enthusiasm and contributions! We look forward to seeing you at all the exciting upcoming events!

Also, don’t forget about these two great events from our 2011 grantee, WakeUP Wake County:

• January 19, 5 pm at the Stockroom at 230: Co-Sponsoring Raleigh’s Designing a 21st Century City Lecture Series, keynote speaker Congressman Earl Blumenauer talking about “Lessons in Livability for a 21st Century City”
• January 30, 7 pm at Temple Beth Or: WakeUP Wake County’s Annual Meeting, keynote speaker Mitchell Silver, Raleigh’s Chief Planning Officer and President of the American Planning Association talking about “Changing Demographics of the Triangle – Looking Towards the Future”

• January 19, 5 pm at the Stockroom at 230: Co-Sponsoring Raleigh’s Designing a 21st Century City Lecture Series, keynote speaker Congressman Earl Blumenauer talking about “Lessons in Livability for a 21st Century City”
• January 30, 7 pm at Temple Beth Or: WakeUP Wake County’s Annual Meeting, keynote speaker Mitchell Silver, Raleigh’s Chief Planning Officer and President of the American Planning Association talking about “Changing Demographics of the Triangle – Looking Towards the Future”

Sunday: After all that rock-n-rolling you’re going to be hungry and probably wishing you knew more about shopping local, right? Come check out brunch with the Bees at Brewmasters at 11:00 am. We’ll talk shop about shopping local!  Details: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/318244588187256/

Hope to see you soon!  Jennifer, on behalf of the Queen Bees

This is a reminder of our upcoming membership meeting, an opportunity to become an official member of the Beehive if you aren’t one already, or to make a donation that will go to support the work of one of our four finalists for this year’s funding–all organizations doing amazing work to make Raleigh a better place. Joining now means you’ll have a chance to vote on our 2011 grantee on Monday. The meeting is on 12/5 at Kings Barcade (14 West Martin Street, Raleigh, NC 27601). We’ll begin gathering at 6:45.

Here are three ways you can make your gift:

1. Make a gift online: by visiting  http://www.trianglecf.org/ways_to_give/donate_now/, scrolling to the Choose A Fund option, and choosing Beehive Collective from the drop down list.
2. Write a check: please make checks payable to Triangle Community Foundation with beehive collective in the memo line and send to The Beehive Collective, PO Box 1008, Raleigh, NC 27602.
3. Bring it to our next meeting or event.

Members donate half of 1% of their annual income. Friends of the Bees donate whatever amount they are able to, and we really appreciate that as well!

Also, speaking of Friends of the Bees–the good folks at Kings are donating a portion of the proceeds of their upcoming Great Coverup weekend (December 9-11) to us! This is always a fun event where local bands cover a surprise line up of national acts. Past performances by Aerosmith/Run D.M.C, Sade, Weezer, and Blondie show that there is something for everyone at the Coverup.

Hope you all are having a fantastic first day of December!

Jennifer

-On Behalf of the Beehive Collective

Arguably the biggest bee event of the year. This meeting is when we decide on our theme, which sets the stage for all of our work and the type of organizations we’ll donate to in December.

Join us on Monday, March 7 at 7pm in Natty Greene’s (505 W Jones Street).

Please remember to bring your check book for your 2011 membership contribution.