Timeline – River Sprouts

August 31, 2014: Samantha (then “9-3/4”) writes Rocky River Mayor Bobst a letter, proposing a greenhouse “that will help us grow food all year long” to be donated to those “with a very hard life full of struggles”; Mayor Bobst responded immediately to communicate her support
Spring 2015: Samantha meets with lawyers at Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
June 5, 2015: Articles of Incorporation filed with the Ohio Secretary of State for “River Sprouts Inc.” (RSI)
July 28, 2015: IRS issues 501(c)(3) determination letter (effective June 11, 2015)
September 4, 2015: $500 grant received from the Rocky River Women’s Club; with that, the good idea suddenly looked “fundable”
October 27, 2015: meeting with Mayor Bobst in her office
December 28, 2015: River Sprouts kicks off fundraising campaign in earnest
January 26, 2016: fundraising exceeds $5,000
March 3, 2016: fundraising exceeds $10,000
March 6, 2017: $500 grant received from the Lakewood-Rocky River Rotary Foundation; with that financial shot in the arm, fundraising exceeds $15,000 and decision is made to start construction planning
May 28, 2017: River Sprouts holds “art auction” to continue to raise funds
July 8, 2017: fundraising exceeds $20,000
October 11, 2017: $900.35 contributed by Whole Foods after featuring River Sprouts during its quarterly “Nickels for Non-Profits” campaign
October 30, 2017: Rocky River Planning Commission approves greenhouse project unanimously
October 30, 2017: meeting with Mayor Bobst in her office
November 2017: construction of greenhouse begins in earnest
December 30, 2017: fundraising exceeds $25,000
January 26, 2018: construction of 21’ by 24’ greenhouse shell completed!
Winter 2018: beds and trays completed inside the greenhouse
Spring 2018: first seeds planted!
June 21, 2018: $1,525 raised by Rocky River Presbyterian Church, which focused on supporting River Sprouts Inc. during its Vacation Bible School program
Summer-Fall 2018: harvests begin!
August 24, 2018: fundraising exceeds $30,000
November 17, 2018: $4,050 grant deposited from First Energy Foundation; fundraising exceeds $35,000
January 5, 2019: Earth Fare presents “large cardboard check” to River Sprouts Inc. in the amount of $1,000
February 11, 2019: Lakewood-Rocky River Rotary Foundation awards another $500 grant to River Sprouts
Spring-Summer-Fall 2019: plantings and harvests continue!
June 18, 2019: fundraising exceeds $40,000
December 18, 2019: First Energy Foundation provides another grant to River Sprouts Inc., this one for $1,000
Winter-Spring 2020: first cold-weather plantings and harvests; River Sprouts members meet regularly to create an upgraded website
Spring 2020: plantings for Summer-Fall 2020 harvests
Summer 2020: River Sprouts launches its new website – all aspects of it created by members, including content, photos, layout, etc.