Rhizome, the beloved DC-based nonprofit space for art, activism, and music, has launched a community fundraising campaign for the purchase of a new, permanent home in the District. True to its DIY ethos, Rhizome is establishing a community financing program to fund the project by loans and donations from individual community members rather than through for-profit financial institutions.

The value Rhizome brings to the creative arts community in the DC metro area and beyond cannot be overstated. Since its founding in 2015, Rhizome has become a hub for an international community of touring DIY musicians and an incubator for local talent and collaborations. In addition, Rhizome has hosted puppet shows, cinema series, poetry workshops, synthesizer building classes, writers' retreats, immersive theater works, children's camps, and other arts and cultural programs across a staggering variety of mediums.

Since 2020, Rhizome has operated under the threat of encroaching development. The plan to purchase a building is the result of a multi-year search by the organization to secure a new space and ensure that the community that has gathered around Rhizome will continue to flourish for years to come. Earlier this year, Rhizome was awarded a grant by the DC arts commission to purchase a building one mile from its current location - a welcome recognition of the tremendous value that Rhizome brings to the city and its diverse communities. The funds we raise will cover the remaining costs needed to purchase the building and make needed repairs. The finalization of the purchase would be an unprecedented success - locally and nationally, where similar volunteer-run spaces and organizations have been increasingly marginalized and priced out of large metropolitan areas.

We need a total of $400,000 raised via a combination of these tax deductible donations and loans from community members. We need at least $100,000 by April 15, $250,000 by May 9, and $400,000 by September 30. We are now adding loans that we have received to the total here so you have the full picture of where we are at. Please visit https://www.rhizomedc.org/communityfinancing if you are interested in learning more about loaning us money!

Rhizome will use the funds from this campaign to purchase and renovate a one-story building at 7733 Alaska Ave NW DC to serve as a long-term home for our programs. As of April 2024 we are under contract to purchase this property with an estimated closing date of May 10, 2024. In the event that this contract is terminated prior to purchase for any reason, we will retain all donated and loaned funds in an interest-bearing savings account (separate from our operating funds) as an investment in a future purchase of property to secure Rhizome's future operations. In the event that no suitable such property can be located, we reserve the right to used these funds to offset costs associated with moving to and leasing another property we deem suitable to our continued operations in accordance with our mission.

Finally - when you press Donate there are options for: credit card, venmo, paypal, ACH, and check. If you would like to pay using a Donor Advised Fund, please send us an email at info@rhizomedc.org.

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Thank you!

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Irreversible Entanglements at Rhizome -

Aaron Maier's "Suburbia" at Rhizome -

Move Move Collaborative at Rhizome -

"artist's rendering" of new building facade -

Help Rhizome Buy a Forever Home

By RHIZOMEDC INC

Help Rhizome Buy a Forever Home