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We're Live

· 3 min read
Ben Allfree
Ben Allfree
MeshEnvy Founder

We're thrilled to announce that our GoFundMe campaign is now live! This is the first step toward making Nevada-wide mesh network coverage a reality.

Our First Goal: $3,000​

We're starting with an achievable but meaningful target: $3,000. This initial fundraising goal isn't just about equipment; it's about unlocking the infrastructure we need to build something sustainable.

What $3,000 Enables​

This first milestone will allow us to:

  1. Form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit - Cover filing fees, legal costs, and initial operating expenses
  2. Deploy initial nodes - Begin building the Reno-to-Playa corridor with our first batch of solar-powered nodes
  3. Establish financial infrastructure - Set up proper banking and accounting systems

Why This Matters​

Right now, we're limited in what we can do. Without nonprofit status, we can't:

  • Accept tax-deductible donations
  • Set up a Stripe account for our merchandise store
  • Enable GitHub Sponsors for recurring donations
  • Activate monthly recurring donations on GoFundMe
  • Open a nonprofit bank account
  • Apply for most grants and funding opportunities

Your $3,000 investment unlocks all of this.

Once we establish 501(c)(3) status, we can scale up fundraising efforts, accept recurring donations, and access grant funding that could take us from a handful of nodes to statewide coverage.

The Vision​

We're not just building a network; we're building resilient infrastructure for Nevada's communities. Imagine:

  • Burners having reliable communication from Reno all the way to the playa
  • Rural residents staying connected when cellular coverage gaps or localized tower outages occur
  • Emergency responders communicating during natural disasters
  • Travelers having safety communication across Nevada's vast empty spaces

For $30,000-$35,000 total, we could cover all of Nevada with 300-350 solar-powered LoRa nodes. That's less than the cost of a new car, for an entire state's emergency communication backbone.

But we have to start somewhere. And that somewhere is $3,000.

Every Dollar Counts​

At this stage, every contribution makes a real difference:

  • $25 - Covers part of the nonprofit filing fees
  • $50 - Contributes toward legal document preparation
  • $100 - Funds one complete solar-powered node
  • $500 - Covers a significant portion of 501(c)(3) formation costs
  • $1,000+ - Enables both nonprofit formation and initial node deployment

No amount is too small. Whether you give $5 or $500, you're helping build something that will serve Nevada for years to come.

What Happens Next​

Here's our roadmap once we hit $3,000:

Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-2)​

  • File for 501(c)(3) status
  • Establish nonprofit bank account
  • Set up accounting and transparency systems
  • Deploy first 3-4 nodes on the Reno-to-Playa route

Phase 2: Infrastructure (Months 3-4)​

  • Activate Stripe for merchandise sales
  • Enable recurring donation options
  • Launch official merch store
  • Continue node deployment

Phase 3: Scale (Months 5+)​

  • Apply for grants and larger funding
  • Expand to other Nevada corridors
  • Build partnerships with communities and organizations
  • Recruit volunteers for node hosting and maintenance

Join the Movement​

This isn't just a fundraiser; it's the beginning of something bigger. We're building the foundation for a community-owned, resilient communications infrastructure that will serve all Nevadans.

Ready to help us get started?

Visit our GoFundMe campaign and share it with anyone who might host a node or help with nonprofit formation.

Donate on GoFundMe | Join us on Discord