Founding a Non-Profit: Redding Fashion Alliance

What began in 2016 as a conversation about the potential of the fashion industry in Redding, California became a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2018.

photos courtesy of Jamie Solorio Photography, Enjoy Magazine, and MC Hunter Photography

Redding is a rural city 3 hours north of San Francisco. It has not been, what I would call, a fashion-focused region. As a native resident and fashion designer, I found a way to overcome the restrictions of limited resources, equipment, and education through sheer force of will and inventiveness by starting Dark Pony Designs in 2009 (later rebranded as Dark Pony Couture). Dark Pony Designs was my handmade fashion brand that was sold on Etsy and brought in sales around the globe, a spot on MTV, a feature on the viral "Little Mermaid Wedding", and editorials on Green Wedding Shoes and The Wedding Chicks. I didn't realize it at the time, but all of this experience would make me an expert on how to create fashion in a new and different way in a place that makes it unusual.

Jan Kearns, Robin Fator, Rachel Hatch

Enter Rachel Hatch and Jan Kearns. In the summer of 2016, Rachel wrote an article for the local newspaper, The Record Searchlight, and posed the question: "What if Redding had______________" Jan answered this by saying "Small batch manufacturing and a creative economy" and I followed up with, "Resources, education, and support for makers and designers in the local area." Between the three of us, we laid out the concept for what would become Redding Fashion Alliance.

We held a free community event called Fashion Futures in September of 2016 at the Shasta Venture Hub. Over 100 people showed up to learn from a handful of local designers and a local fashion photographer and to hear their stories. We were pleasantly surprised by the interest from the community. From there, we met and brainstormed about what this concept would become, its purpose, and ultimately its structure.

Beginning in February of 2017 we began the work of becoming an a non-profit by first starting as a fiscal project of the Shasta County Arts Council. We shared space with ArtsMart (an entity of SCAC) in a retail location on the east side of town, we held classes and workshops for kids and adults. We offered booths for rent and applied for grants. In October The Women's Fund awarded us $10,000 fund to run a program called "Making Opportunities for Success" that benefited victims of domestic violence by teaching sewing and entrepreneurial skills. In November of 2017 Jan and I formed a corporation, brought together a board of directors, and started the stack of IRS paperwork needed to be designated a 501c3. All of this activity and hard work caught the attention of the McConnell Foundation. With a focus of activating space in downtown Redding, and a mission to support creativity, placemaking, and education they generously awarded Redding Fashion Alliance a $115,000 grant to move downtown, expand our social entrepreneurial business model, give access to maker space, and establish a place for local creatives to sell their handmade goods.

2018 was one of the most challenging and rewarding years of my life. I'm no stranger to bootstrapping, startup, and thinking outside the box, but this endeavor stretched me to my limits. Being the Co-Executive Director of an organization that continues to define itself, forced me to learn at hyper speed, to be nimble, and I applied my leadership skills on a daily basis. From laying down laminate flooring to writing class curriculum to inventing Redding Fashion Week, Jan and I made something out of nothing with the help of our generous funders and donors.

In September of 2018, the Redding Fashion Alliance received its IRS 501c3 designation letter! It was official, we were officially making a difference. Jan and I made a good team, it was a balancing act made possible by trust, communication, and unique skill sets. Every business and organization is only as good as the team behind the scenes.

2019 brought hope and challenges, but we showcased what we did best together, offering Redding a place to be creative, a place to gather as a community, and a chance at a better tomorrow. Learn More about Redding Fashion Alliance: www.reddingfashionalliance.org