Your Name
Your Address
Dear ___________:
We, the participants of Try/on Life Community Farm, respectfully request your support to help protect uniquely-situated, resourceful green space in southwest Portland. Try/on Life Community Farm (TLC Farm) occupies 7 acres of sloping, peaceful private land, tucked into the 650-acre Tryon Creek State Park in the Southwest Hills of Portland. The land of forested cliffs, meadows, gardens, and two residential houses offers incredible opportunities to the people of Portland and beyond.
Currently, however, the land is threatened with impending development of 23 luxury lots. The development faces enormous hurdles and, if it moves forward, would present many challenges to the State Park and southwest neighborhood. The time to act is now. We are actively working toward a viable alternative to the development: the Tryon Life Community Farm non-profit organization.
The Farm occupants, and a growing network of community volunteers, propose to protect the land as a publicly-accessible, educational demonstration of urban agriculture, healthy homes, and watershed restoration. Important allies have already been aligned and more join us every day. A second option-to-buy has been secured. The Farm has already started hosting classes of students and the public for workshops, events, and meetings. All our activities are designed to promote and deepen Portland's sustainable participation with our natural environment.
We respectfully request your support at this crucial time. Our goal is to secure $150,000 in private financing by the end of the year to protect this land and launch the TLC Farm non-profit. There are a variety of ways in you could contribute.
o Tax-deductible donations. Any size donation will help to prove our viability. We are currently finalizing 501(c)3 fiscal sponsorship, so holiday gifts now will save money at tax-time!
o FarmLoans. These individually-tailored personal loans from $1000 to $50,000+ allow anyone to transform savings, stocks, or bonds into Farm-saving investments in a livable future.
o Equity as security. Equity in property (and other assets) can be used as security to allow us to get low-interest loans from banks and foundations.
o Networking. Real estate transactions are about relationships. We need to build a solid team of well-connected, experienced allies willing to engage with the variety of institutions, financers, and stakeholders involved, with the success of our long-term vision as their collective aim.
You may make a donation by sending a check, payable to: Tryon Life Community Farm, 11640 SW Boones Ferry Rd, Portland, OR 97219. If you would first like more information about these financing options, the TLC Farm, and/or to review a business plan, please contact the financial working group at: 503-245-3847 ; finance@tryonfarm.org.
Thank you so much for your consideration and support in helping to save this incredible opportunity
Sincerely,
XXXX