Dear LP Community,
As you may know, the last twelve months at La Peña have been very busy! With a lot of work and dedication from our team, we are proud of having significantly expanded our events calendar, deepened our collaborations with community members, doubled our weekly roots arts classes, re-launched our rentals model, held organizing and fundraising space for Gaza, started our first-ever membership program, and so much more.
This growth responds to the community’s needs and reflects the pivotal moment that we’re in both culturally and as an organization. During times of blatant dehumanization, environmental destruction, and rising political and economic uncertainty, building hope and cultivating organized communities is essential. Spaces like La Peña show us that we are not alone, and allow us to find strength in the intersection of collective struggle, joy, and creativity.
Unfortunately, our ability to continue to be that space is now in jeopardy, as La Peña is facing its deepest financial crisis since the 2008 Great Recession. In just the past ten months, we have faced staffing cuts, multiple transitions, and a six-figure budget deficit due to sunsetted Covid-relief grants and local/global shifts in philanthropic priorities.
Despite these challenges, our young, five-person staff remains committed to making La Peña the space for radical thinking, artistic collaboration and international solidarity that these times demand. Now, more than ever, we need your support to not only expand the programming our community relies on but also to develop a multi-year strategic plan that ensures our cultural resistance continues for decades. As we approach our 50th Anniversary in June of 2025, this campaign begins a new pathway for La Peña’s longevity. Our goal is $50,000; help us make La Peña stick around for another 50 years!
The 4 best ways to support La Peña right now are:
Contributions to La Peña are tax deductible. Our Tax ID number is 94-2459560.
Thank you for trusting our work and for being on this journey with us!
With immense gratitude,
LP Team