Notch is part of a new, values-based economic ecosystem (based on relationships and well-being, not on economic growth) that puts ownership in the hands of communities who have been excluded by traditional for-profit and nonprofit support. Therefore, we are committed to raising funds from donors seeking economic justice and not the exploitation of peoples oppressed by poverty. We believe that cultural transformation work requires shifting economic power. Our programs attempt to seed new networks, relationships, and funding streams that catalyze alternative and regenerative economies to support our partners in achieving full financial freedom and autonomy.
 
One method by which we achieve these goals is in keeping our overhead and administrative costs uncommonly low while decentralizing our power structure. We have a three-person,
part-time staff, and ALL other personnel are program specific and predominantly hired from within each community. This allows for decision making to happen close to the work and gives the community leadership over their programs. Less than 25% of our organizational budget goes to general operating costs including all staff, who are essential in upholding our Moral Fundraising Practices. While community leads the work as producers, visionaries, and artists, Notch is committed to providing a program’s full financial support and ensuring that all local participants are paid. Thanks to our small but mighty staff, Notch will never show up empty handed. 
 

Moreover, our work invests in the economic wellbeing of each community with which we collaborate. We strive to allocate at least 50% of all costs directly to our Community Partners and participants. This includes investing in the local economy by hiring neighborhood workers for every production, feeding people at all rehearsals and events, using local (rather than national) food and catering companies, paying our partners for rehearsal space, housing any out-of-town artists in the community, and contracting area nonprofits to partner with our programs in ways that advance our mutual missions and strengthen their sustainability.