Fundraising Update

Fundraising Updates

by Daryl Peace

PPE Challenge

Supplies and equipment needed to safeguard medical staff, diagnose and treat the sick, and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 were and still are in critically short supply. These supplies include hand sanitizers, nasal swabs, face shields, N95 respirator masks, and disposable ventilator valves. Manufacturers across the country are increasing their output to meet this demand and non-traditional suppliers such as distillers have switched some of their production from whiskey and gin to hand sanitizer, yet there is still a demand from the medical community. The PPE challenge was born, whereby small-scale, low-volume, highflexibility manufacturers and makers across the country are coming together to help fill this gap. Designs were developed and shared across maker communities, partnerships forged with 3D printing firms, donations provided for raw materials procurement, production processes were started, and distribution coordinated.

At Nova Labs, there are five active production activities:

• Cloth mask production

• Face shield production

• N95 respirator production

• Intubation tent production

• CPAP adaptor production

Nova Labs is proud of its membership’s mobilization to assist the medical community to forward its mission by manufacturing PPE. In addition, Nova Labs is providing material support for raw material acquisition to empower our makers via the PPE challenge fund.

To date, members’ efforts have supported hospitals and medical centers throughout the D.C. area and as far away as Brooklyn, New York; Detroit, Michigan; and even Wonju, South Korea. As of May 4, the total PPE donation was $25,477 in cash and $1,000 in-kind donations (3D printer filament from Micro Center). If you would like to donate to the cause, please visit the website (https://www.nova-labs.org/ppe-challenge/). If you want to participate in the challenge, please reach out to Margie Foster.

Adopt-a-Member Initiative

Nova Labs recognizes the financial impact and hardship COVID-19 has inflicted on several members within our community. To help those in need, we have started the Adopt-a-Member initiative, whereby members can provide financial assistance to those in need. The initiative has just started and already we have a $25/month donation and a $100 one-time donation. Let’s help our fellow members and donate here (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=NWVbvAamZSpgD6J39psDvluYMcTurMB03fqJIl4dcg9pHKWVBToo8EhKH4zL5D31KYyzXW&country.x=US&locale.x=US)

Grants Pursuit

The Nova Labs board is pursuing funds via the Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Grants provision of the CARES Act, which provides a $10,000 grant. In addition, on April 7, the Nova Labs board applied for a $30,000 grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation through its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

PPE Challenge Fund Link (https://www.nova-labs.org/ppe-challenge)