Memberships are the financial core of Local Economy. In the past, cafes, bars, and retail spots could pay the rent through their operations, while gifting the community necessary third spaces. That’s gotten harder, especially in Oakland. So, our idea is that the people who want this community space to exist can directly support it through monthly memberships, rather than buying other stuff to subsidize community. Of course, many spaces like this used to exist—think about the Elks or the legacy Italian social clubs of Temescal!

There are three levels of membership—$20, $50, and $100 per month—designed for people who imagine being involved with Local Economy in different ways. It’s also worth noting: We aren’t going to turn away people who want to contribute to the community, even if membership is out of reach financially. Student, social worker, or just between gigs, reach out to us. (NOTAFLOF!)

While most events will be open to the public, there will be members-only activities, and members will also get first dibs on RSVPing to programming. Many events will also be free to members. They’ll also get priority in doing their own workshops and things in the space. We want to produce a steady drumbeat of fascinating, healing, instructive, mind-expanding events. And we want members to co-create this place. 

Click the button below to go to our membership payment platform, Moonclerk. Memberships will begin October 1, unless we’re unable to open the doors for unforeseen reasons on that day. In that case, billing will start on the day we open.

BECOME A MEMBER

Here’s the full lowdown on membership: 

FELLOW TRAVELER. $20 per month. You believe in building community. You want collective spaces to exist and want to support Local Economy, even if you don’t know how often you’ll be able to visit. You’ll get early invites to all member events and a monthly broadside printed at the Murray Street Media Lab. And, as required by East Bay by-laws, you get a tote. 

FRIEND. $50 per month. You also believe in building community and want to support the space, and you’ve got the time and proximity to be a regular. You’ll get all the invites and the welcome tote, and you’ll also get a gorgeous cobalt mug with magical powers. You’ll get more time in the space, too, to do work near other people, have lunch with members, and if you have kids, bring them during those liminal after-school hours. Some school-age kid programming is in the works, too.

FAM. $100 per month. You heard about Local Economy and you were like, “I’m all in on this!” You want to not only be a regular, but to play a role in the creation and future of the space. You’re already dreaming up programming ideas and fantasizing about possible transformations of the empty lot across the street. And you also have a little extra money and want to contribute at this level so that the space can thrive and offer memberships to people at every income. Don’t worry, though, you still get the mug and the tote and the broadsides and all the other stuff.