ANNUAL REPORT
N U Ç I ’ S S PA C E
Yes, Nuçi’s Space is here. In the face of a global pandemic, sheltering in place, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, fighting racial and social injustice, enduring natural disasters, supporting our struggling local businesses, and providing words of encouragement to our friends, families, and neighbors -- yes, because of your support, we are still here and going strong. Despite our challenges, it is important to pause and celebrate our accomplishments, both big and small. -BOB SLEPPY, ED
2020 A Year Like No Other
A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH PROMISE At the beginning of 2020, we were excited and looking forward to the year ahead. We celebrated the long-awaited completion of our expansion project during the first couple of months of the year. The expansion includes Amplify, our new recording studio, additional office space, a beautifully landscaped courtyard, and the renovation of the iconic St. Mary’s Steeple, the site of R.E.M.’s first performance over forty years ago. Proudly, we were able to complete the project without incurring any debt.
Amplify 391.5 Hours 114 Sessions 38 Bands/Artists 13 Completed Projects
With the help of a matching grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, Nuci’s Space completed a significant overhaul of all A/V equipment within the space. Spending over $40,000, the improvements include new wiring from Amplify to 4 rehearsal rooms and the St. Mary’s Steeple, professional-quality light & sound gear for our stage, and high-end equipment for Amplify.
Our response to a crisis In March, we were in the initial stages of implementing a yearlong celebration, leading up to our 20th Anniversary Party at the end of 2020. It was going to be a year like no other. It turns out we were right. Unfortunately, just not the way any of us intended. A global pandemic had reached our doorstep.
Within days of the shutdown, Nuçi’s Space established the “Garrie Vereen Memorial Emergency Relief Fund” to support musicians, artists, venue and crew employees, and everyone who makes our world-renown entertainment industry thrive. The fund is in memory of Garrie Vereen, a onetime Equipment Manager for the band Widespread Panic, who died by suicide in 2011.
Our goal was to help our peers hit the hardest by the economic shutdown and not eligible for assistance through traditional channels. In only a few short weeks, with the help of foundation partners and hundreds of donors, we raised and distributed over $130,000 in emergency financial aid to over 310 recipients living and working in the Athens-area entertainment industry. We are grateful to all who helped us respond to the need for immediate relief for struggling musicians and entertainment industry employees during the shutdowns.
While trying to get the word out about the Garrie Vereen Fund, we decided to check-in with our rehearsal space customers as well. Many people don’t realize that our staff develops deep and meaningful relationships with many of our customers. When we see fellow musicians a couple of times a week for several hours at a time, it’s common to develop a closeness not often found among other business-customer relationships. During the two months we worked remotely, our staff made over 600 phone calls to fellow musicians. Each call aimed to let them know we were thinking about them, tell them about the Garrie Vereen Fund, and offer some encouragement during an incredibly difficult time.
Our mission continues, without interruption For two months, between mid-March and mid-May, the staff at Nuçi’s Space worked from home, committed to caring for and serving the community we love. Our first responsibility was to ensure our counseling clients and support group participants remained engaged and connected. For those who suffer from addiction, depression, anxiety, and other brain illness, the added concern of isolation can be a lethal combination.
healthcare counseling & psychiatric appointments
197 Clients received
subsidized mental health appointments, total of 2,009 appointments. We assisted 275 additional clients through unsubsidized mental health appointments.
17 Georgia counties served
Adapt & Thrive
Following the shutdown of our revenue-generating rehearsal spaces & recording studio, as well as our annual fundraising events & campaigns, the Board of Directors revisited the previously approved 2020 Budget and updated it to reflect our outlook at the time. In June 2020, we had a projected loss of -$171,000 for the 2020 fiscal year. It would have been easier to accept defeat but our Board and Staff committed ourselves to find a way forward. During the next seven months, we were able to close the gap and build reserves for the first half of 2021. In short, we asked our donors for support and you answered the call.
517% 595%
increase
increase
$61,139.40 from 388 gifts made In Honor/ In Memory
367%
799
new in first-time donors donors for 2020 in 2020
in business contributions for 2020 compared to the previous year in grants for 2020 compared to the previous year
increase
$37,870 from 92 Facebook Fundraiser
352%
increase
in total individual donations in 2020 compared to the previous year
thank you to our top grantmakers · Riverview Foundation · The Huffer Foundation · Turner Family Foundation · Scott Hudgens Family Foundation · Georgia Council for the Arts · George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust
Expenses
9% Administration 4% Fundraising 87% Programs
8% Programs 13% Fundraising 46% Donors 33% Grants
Income
· The Dancy Charitable Trust · Give Back Real Estate · AthFest Educates · Georgia Music Foundation · ACC Charity Drive · Creature Comforts - Get Artistic · ACAC - Artist in Community
THANK YOU We view your contribution to our work as an investment. Whether we use these funds to provide goods and services to those in need, build capacity to serve more people, or advocate to end the stigma of brain illness, we aim to be good stewards of your investment. We take this responsibility seriously. Despite having to cancel all our fundraising events, close our revenue-generating rehearsal rooms, limit our youth programs, and fundamentally change the way we do business, we continue to adapt and thrive. Yes, we survived and are still here, going strong, but we need your help! The Athens music community continues to struggle in the wake of 2020. Please consider continuing your support of Nuçi’s Space in 2021.
Ways to Support DONATE Become a Monthly Donor Become a Corporate Sponsor Host a Birthday Fundraiser on Facebook Donate Musical Equipment Sign up to support Nuçi’s Space with: Amazon Smile & Kroger Community Rewards
Mission Our mission is to prevent suicide. With a focus on musicians, Nuçi’s Space advocates for and helps to alleviate the suffering for those living with a brain illness and fights to end the stigma of mental illness.
Our vision is to end the epidemic of suicide and to inspire a culture free of the stigma attached to brain illnesses and its sufferers by supporting a community-wide effort that focuses on education, prevention, and access to appropriate treatment.
VISION