How SAW Works
SAW is committed to financial transparency, because we value YOUR help!
SAW is a non-profit
As such, technically American citizens are the OWNERS of SAW, and as a non-profit, we are tasked with using our resources for the common good and fulfilling our mission. SAW is eligible for grants from government agencies (whichever ones are left) as well as other foundations, and can solicit tax-deductible donations from the public.
We do a lot of good every year that we’re very proud of!
Note: Grants and donations make up a very small amount of our budget every year*
*especially since Florida’s governor vetoed all arts funding for 2024 and 2025 and our current president is on a rampage against government spending.
This is us.
SAW is a business
SAW is a run as a sustainable business. In other words, it trades services and products in exchange for currency. That currency is used to maintain its sustainability as well as fulfill its mission.
The bulk of our budget comes from tuitions.
See this image to see where most of our money comes from.
EVERYTHING HELPS but note that almost half of our operating budget comes from our very affordable and very effective Year Long Program. It is this program which allows us to run our groups, our publishing, offer scholarships, etc.
A quarter comes from our equally affordable (the same price as ONE WEEK online programs we’ve seen elsewhere) and effective Graphic Novel Intensive.
The remaining quarter comes from our other courses and groups, from donations and from various sales.
Expenses.
Most of our expenses go to TEACHERS. 22% is communications, publications and ADMIN STAFF but that include Tom who is also head teacher. It also includes Karlo, Meg, Carly and Tana our bookkeeper.
It’s safe to say that PUBLISHING and the SAW GROUPS are non-profit making ventures, possible even losing money. We do them because we value the end product, whether a book, a community, good vibes or whatever.
We also spent a lot of money on initiatives like the 90s Oral History Interview/Podcasts which gains no income, and we also lost a great deal of money from the state of Florida as it slides into fascism and eliminates arts funding across the state.
Note also that despite this, in 2024 we in the red for roughly $600. Not bad but being in the black is better.
The Balance between mission and business is the trick
Our main goal is to be here a long time, to continue to serve people by teaching them comics, by helping them express themselves…
More about how we do that as time goes on.