1. Participant:
Spitting Ether: Lorelei’s whisper NobleMotion Dance
Program Term:
02/2012 – 1/2013
Contact:
Andy Noble
Artistic/Executive Director
noblemotiondance@yahoo.com
832-627-9664
www.noblemotiondance.com
Photo by: Lynn Lane
Pre-Incubator Program

2. Participant Profile:
“The mission of NobleMotion Dance is to make work that is emotionally daring and
honest; inspires discourse and understanding amongst diverse communities; and
integrates dance, theater, and technology in unique ways.”
• Incorporated in 11/2009
• 2012 operating budget = $50,000
• Number of Board Members = 5
• Main challenges we faced prior to the Program:
• Increase pay for NMD dancers
• Expand the board of NMD
• Increase organizational support by compensating staff
• Increase visibility through marketing of NMD’s performance & services
• Move NMD performances to a larger performance venue
Enters the Pre-Incubator Program on Feb 2012

3. Outcomes Summary
What difference did the Pre-Incubator program make?
• What is different now compared to the Spitting Ether: The Chamber
beginning of the grant term?
• Nominated and elected a Treasurer and Vice-President
• Voted and approved a Board Evaluation Policy and
Responsibility
• Board approved a 2012-13 Budget at the end of 2011-12
fiscal year
• Started reporting budget quarterly to the Board of
Directors
• Shared draft of Board Binder with current board
members
• Instituted Written Board Commitments (Board
Commitment Pledge and Board Financial Commitment
Pledge)
• Created and elected Board Committees (Executive &
Financial)
• Drafted Board Nomination Forms and shared with other
board members
• Worked with lawyer to draft new contracts that broadly
protects NobleMotion Dance, specifically its board
members and directors
• Increased artist fees Photo by: Lynn Lane

4. Outcomes Summary
Spitting Ether: The Chamber
• Developed a new website for the company
• Clarified and began implementing stricter internal
controls
• Instituted a new reimbursement policy for
purchases
• Initiated cultivation of two new donors for future
giving opportunities
• Implemented several new accounting practices that
make our books easier to comprehend by outside
parties
• Began development of stronger system for tracking
current donors/patrons
• Clarified board and executive director roles and
created job descriptions
• Updated NobleMotion’s Guidestar account and
uploaded IRS 990’s
• Increased our fundraising goals
Photo by: Lynn Lane

5. Use of Funds
Awarded $7500 towards administrative and/or programmatic expenses including
dance compensation, light artist compensation, and part-time Company Manager.
Description1 Amount Type 2 Spiting Ether: Lorelei’s whisper
Dancer
$4,000 Program
Compensation
Light Artist
$750 Program
Compensation
Tech Director $750 Program
Part Time Company
$1,000 Admin
Manager
Choreographers $1,000 Program
Photo by: Lynn Lane
• What specific differences did these funding investments
make to your organization?
• Hiring/Retention of first rate dancers.
• Allowed us to compensate the artistic and production
staff.
• Helped with fulfilling our mission of integrating
technology and dance.

6. Financial Trend
$90,000
$80,000
Operating Budget
$70,000
$60,000
$49,750
$50,000
$37,261
$40,000
$30,000
$20,070
$20,000
$10,000
$0
FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015
Revenue Expenses Linear (Revenue) Linear (Expenses)

7. Keys to Success
• List significant accomplishments and strides
Spitting Ether: Earth
made throughout your grant .
– Working as a team to meet deadlines
– Lots of conversations with board
members and support staff
– Setting aside blocks of uninterrupted
time with a clear goal of completion
– Increased fundraising
– Clarified/Expanded Board
– Reorganization of financial records
– Clarified vision of organizations future Photo by: Lynn Lane
– Increased confidence in running a non-
profit organization

8. Lessons Learned
Spitting Ether: Lorelei’s whisper
• What were your course corrections?
– Did you learn anything through the Pre-
Incubator that would have made you do
things differently from the start of the
project?
– Be specific when identifying your
financial chart of accounts
– Internal controls are essential for
granting agencies
– Do you have significant findings from within
your organizational structure that might be
applicable to or advice for future Pre-
Incubators developing their capacity?
– Organizing of finances; create clear
chart of accounts
– Internal controls; create checks and
balances.
– Board expectations; identify ways to
delegate
– Future grant proposal preparation;
keep good record keeping of this
process Photo by: Lynn Lane
– Remain true to yourself

9. Summary of Future Plans
Spitting Ether: Luxate
• Increase budget in the next fiscal year to
$75,000
• Fall performance at Zilka Hall
• Additional programming; Spring
performances
• Increase payment of artists
• Increase Board to 7 total members
• Upgrade Quickbooks
• Increase community awareness of our
organization Photo by: Lynn Lane

10. Haiku
Spitting Ether: Landing Light
When leaves are young
and not quite green;
the soil is its richest.
Photo by: Lynn Lane