You are the light of the world.
A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14–16

Illume's Bridge to Stability

Illume has set the goal of raising $140,000 and so far has raised $47,325!

These funds will go toward keeping operations up and running as we launch several of the income creating aspects of Illume's plan. They will also allow us to complete  the coffeehouse. They will also be used for necessary exterior work on our 103 year old building. (The kinds of things insurance is saying must be done.) 

Almost all ministries in Seattle fundraise. Seattle is (tied with Portland to be) the least religious city in the United States. The difference with Illume is that our model, once up-and-running, becomes financially viable without constant fundraising requests. In fact, this is the only time in our history we've run a major fundraising campaign. 

Your gift today helps us:
  • Complete the coffee bar construction so our tenant can open.
  • Make Illume a vibrant venue for ministry events and community gatherings.
  • Bridge the next few months while we stabilize finances and grow long-term sustainability.
Approaches to Giving
  • One time smaller gifts of $25-$100 → Adding together these grassroots gifts from folks who want to show they care goes further than you think!
  • One time, midsize gifts of $500-$1,000 → This helps us really finish projects, pay bills, and keep things rolling forward.
  • One time, larger gifts of $1,000+ → Not only do large gifts give us a leap forward, but they also encourage other donors to invest in what we're doing here in Seattle. 
  • Recurring gifts → Here's the thing about recurring gifts to Illume: Right now, they help us operate, but soon, the facility will be generating income and all donations will go straight toward ministry. It's going to be wonderful.
Every gift matters. Choose the level that fits your capacity. Thank you so much for even considering a contribution.

WHY DONATE NOW?

EMAIL KENT. Let's Talk about it!
Illume’s ministry is at an exciting, crucial point. We've worked hard to create a very special space for a very unique ministry that can serve Seattle strategically for years to come, and it is coming together. It's so close!

Here are some of the good signs: 
  • We’ve secured a coffee partner who will bring life and daily activity to our space, and we are finishing the bar build-out so they can open. It's hard to overstate how excited the neighborhood around Illume is for this and how many relationship opportunities it will create.
  • We've prepared a great shared office/coworking space, but we need to advertise to potential clients to fill it with productivity and creative thriving. 
  • We've had some awesome rental events that have brought thousands of people through our doors in just the last six months, but we need to book more. These events have ranged from an Edgar Allen Poe-themed speakeasy/theatrical performance, to having Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block in concert, to wedding receptions, to celebrations of life, and so much more. 
  • We've secured one amazing after-school program for our basement space and need to find two more. We've got 4 clubs/groups meeting regularly, but need to attract several more.

All this has taken time, and while all of these community-building uses of Illume are on the precipice of doing what they can for this ministry, we are running out of operational runway. This campaign bridges the gap and unlocks sustainable revenue through coffee operations, coworking, and increased event rentals, ensuring Illume can continuously serve Seattle with hope, hospitality, and connection.

What it's for:

investing in ministry that is working toward the future of the church

Illume is obviously much more than a venue or coffeehouse or coworking space. It’s a ministry that brings light into lives. Through creative gatherings, relational spaces, and service opportunities, Illume helps people experience grace and community in a fresh way.

When you give to Illume, you’re investing in:
  • An approach to ministry designed to experiment and learn how to serve people sustainably in a changing world.
  • God's message of unconditional love being shared in one of the most exciting cities in America.
  • A welcoming space designed for relational ministry events and honest, vulnerable, spiritual conversations.
  • A community hub where faith and creativity are working together to celebrate and express grace in new and powerful ways.
  • A sustainable nonprofit model that supports gospel-centered work for years to come.
  • Disciple-making efforts that are asking big questions about the future of ministry and reaching those who have no experience with Christ.

For more (a lot more) insight into Kent's perspective on planning for the future of the church take a look through this interactive presentation called "Questions from the Future."