Projects

Current Highlights and Past Achievements

Pollen partners with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, and arts organizations to advance mission-driven projects through innovative strategies and sustainable, data-informed solutions. From financial planning to facility development, our work reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, impact, and long-term viability.

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECTS

Town of Grand Lake, CO – Financial Feasibility & Pro Forma Analysis for Mixed-Use Arts & Housing Project

Location: Grand Lake, CO

Summary: Developed a comprehensive financial feasibility analysis for the Space to Create Grand Lake project, a mixed-use development combining income-restricted rental housing with commercial space for the Grand Lake Creative District (GLCD). The analysis evaluated capital sources and uses, long-term operational sustainability, and rent structures aligned with CHFA income guidelines. Multiple operating scenarios were tested, including variations in commercial occupancy and residential rent levels ranging from 30% to 140% of AMI. Delivered a detailed pro forma model and financial report with strategic recommendations to support fundraising efforts, calibrate affordability goals, and ensure the long-term financial viability of the project.

The City of Palm Springs, CA – Financial & Economic Sensitivity Analysis for a Cultural Center

Location: Palm Springs, CA

Summary: Conducted a comprehensive sensitivity analysis for the Palm Springs Cultural Center, evaluating the financial impact of fluctuations in earned income, contributed income, rental income, and ticket pricing strategies. The analysis included detailed modeling of occupancy rates, ticket price adjustments, and rental income variability, highlighting key financial risks and opportunities. Delivered a financial report with strategic recommendations to stabilize revenue, manage facility costs, optimize pricing, and support the long-term financial sustainability of the Cultural Center.

Mni Sota Fund – Sustainable Facilities Analysis

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Summary: Conducted a strategic financial analysis for an 8,000 sq. ft. facility, evaluating scenarios to identify the most sustainable operational strategy. The analysis assessed capital requirements, rehabilitation costs, and operational impacts, with a detailed final report highlighting risks and opportunities.

Foundry Project – Historic Arts Incubator Analysis

Location: Cleveland, OH

Summary: Conducted an economic analysis for the renovation of a 72,000 sq. ft. historic facility, developing capital and operating budgets for multiple scenarios. The analysis emphasized debt service, capital campaigns, and rental models, providing actionable insights for phased development and long-term sustainable operations.

30,000 Feet – Sustainable Facilities Analysis

Location: St. Paul, MN

Summary: Developed a comprehensive capital and operating budget for a 12,000 sq. ft. nonprofit facility, analyzing capital requirements, rehabilitation costs, and ongoing operating expenses. Delivered a detailed financial proforma to support strategic decision-making and long-term sustainability planning.

Fabric Workshop Museum – Relocation Economic Analysis

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Summary: Performed an in-depth economic analysis for the Fabric Workshop Museum, creating financial models to evaluate the implications of purchasing, leasing, or shared-use arrangements across multiple venues. Delivered tailored operating scenarios and strategic recommendations to support the museum's future planning and decision-making.

ADDITIONAL NOTABLE PROJECTS

  1. ACH Clearpathways (Pittsburgh, PA)

  2. Aitkin County Friends of the Arts (Aitkin, MN)

  3. Artist Hub on Market - (San Francisco, CA)

  4. Arrow (Memphis, TN)

  5. Arts & Scraps (Detroit, MI)

  6. Arts Council New Orleans (New Orleans, LA)

  7. Ashe (New Orleans, LA)

  8. Big Thought (Dallas, TX)

  9. Black Ensemble Theater (Chicago, IL)

  10. Brownsville Arts Center (Brooklyn, NY)

  11. CAFAC (Minneapolis, MN)

  12. CACHE (Springdale, AR)

  13. Chalkboard Collective Community (Bird Island, MN)

  14. Charlotte Ballet (Charlotte, NC)

  15. Cheyenne Leads (Cheyenne, WY)

  16. City of Hutchinson (Hutchinson, MN)

  17. Collage Dance (Memphis, TN)

  18. Corning Glass (Corning, NY)

  19. Dance Barn Collective (Battle Lake, MN)

  20. Dance USA Philly (Philadelphia, PA)

  21. Deeply Rooted Theater (Chicago, IL)

  22. DCLA (New York City, NY)

  23. Detroit Public Theater (Detroit, MI)

  24. Duluth Art Institute (Duluth, MN)

  25. Element Gym (St. Paul, MN)

  26. Electric Machete (Minneapolis, MN)

  27. Eternal Seeds (New Orleans, LA)

  28. FAWK (St. Paul, MN)

  29. Film North (Minneapolis, MN)

  30. FOCI (Minneapolis, MN)

  31. Foluke Cultural Arts (Cleveland, OH)

  32. Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing (Fosston, MN)

  33. Galena Museum (Galena, IL)

  34. Goat in the Road (New Orleans, LA)

  35. Heritage Foundation (Detroit, MI)

  36. Indie Memphis (Memphis, TN)

  37. Indigenous Peoples Task Force (Minneapolis, MN)

  38. Inside Out Literary Arts (Detroit, MI)

  39. Intermedia Arts (Minneapolis, MN)

  40. Irreducible Grace Foundation (St. Paul, MN)

  41. Joan Mitchell Foundation (New York City, NY)

  42. Liberty Northside Healing Center (Minneapolis, MN)

  43. Lyric Center for the Arts (Virginia, MN)

  44. Media Alliance (Minneapolis, MN)

  45. Memphis Black Arts Alliance (Memphis, TN)

  46. Memphis Museum of Tribal & Visionary (Memphis, TN)

  47. MN Fringe (Minneapolis, MN)

  48. NALAC (San Antonio, TX)

  49. NAPA - RAD Contract (Napa, CA)

  50. Near Southside (Fort Worth, TX)

  51. Open Book (Minneapolis, MN)

  52. PlaceMade (Napa, CA)

  53. Plowshares Theater (Detroit, MI)

  54. Pregones Theater (Bronx, NYC)

  55. Pittsburgh Glass (Pittsburgh, PA)

  56. Quad City Arts (Rock Island, IL)

  57. Red Clay (Chicago, IL)

  58. Rise Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)

  59. San Juan - Redevelopment (San Juan, PR)

  60. Sarasota Arts and Cultural Alliance (Sarasota, FL)

  61. Shorelake Arts (Shoreline, WA)

  62. Signal Return (Detroit, MI)

  63. Somali Museum (Minneapolis, MN)

  64. Sprayfinger (Minneapolis, MN)

  65. St. Paul OMF (St. Paul, MN)

  66. Support Lowcountry Artists "SLAY" (Bluffton, SC)

  67. Telluride Arts District (Telluride, CO)

  68. The Cameron Foundation (Petersburg, VA)

  69. The Fisher Foundation - Sunflower Building (Southfield, MI)

  70. Theater B (Fargo, MN)

  71. Theater Y Chicago (Chicago, IL)

  72. Threads Dance (Minneapolis, MN)

  73. Total Spirit (Memphis, TN)

  74. Victoria Theater (Saint Paul, MN)

  75. Walker West (Saint Paul, MN)

  76. Washington Improv Theater (Washington, DC)

  77. Young Actors Guild (Memphis, TN)