2020 COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM 

Overview 

As a non-profit First Flight Venture Center sees itself as a community resource to help other non-profits whose mission or work is related to and supports First Flight’s mission as a science and technology incubator.  We do this through our Community Partner Program by offering the use our conference room spaces.   

First Flight is the “home” of up to 40 early stage companies. Included in their residency comes the unlimited use of our four conference rooms.  In an effort to balance the needs of resident companies and First Flight, especially during the business day 8:00am – 5:00pm, and to respect the security of our building, we are instituting some new policies and parameters/costs going forward. 

Status as a Community Partner:  

  • New Organizations: Community Partner’s must be non-profits.  Any non-profit organization wishing to be considered as a Community Partner may fill out an application that can be found on the Program/Community Partner section at www.ffvcnc.org.  We will contact you after your application has been reviewed. 

  • Current Community Partner Organizations: Membership will be reviewed and renewed on an annual basis. 

  • First Flight Priority:  First Flight reserves the right to change the policies related to conference room use and shift conference room reservations due to a First Flight priority event.  As much advance notice as possible will be provided with any cancellation.

NCBIOanniversary10-28.jpg

Details about the Community Partner program:  

  • Designated representative: One person per organization will be provided a password to enabled them to make a room reservation. The password issued to that representative will be linked to their specific email address.  First Flight staff does not make bookings.  Reservations may only be made for the Community Partner.  Reservations for other groups or individuals is not permitted.

  • Complimentary conference room use allotment: The Community Partner will receive a number of complimentary hours per month during the business day and nights/weekends/holidays.  

  • 4 hours per month during business hours (8:00am - 5:00pm)

  • 10 hours per month during nights/weekend/holidays (5:00pm - 9:00pm weekdays; 8:00am - 5:00pm weekends/holidays)

  • Purchase additional conference room hours: The Community Partner will have a profile in the reservation system that reflects the complimentary hours per month.  When the hours reserved exceed the allotment additional hours may be purchased at the then standard room rate using a credit card.

  • Access evening/weekend/holiday: Electronic entrance (FOB) to the building for evening/weekend/holiday is required to maintain building security.  A FOB will be provided to the designated representative upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $25 per year if non-business hour use is anticipated.  The FOB must be activated for each use by the First Flight Office Manager.  The designated representative will need to make the request for activation to the Office Manager in advance.

SBA_Brittany.jpg

  • Room Set up/cleanliness: First Flight allows some rooms to be arranged in differing configurations.  First Flight does not provide this service but has no preference whether the   Community Partners uses a service or volunteers.  If using a service, the Community Partner must arrange for and pay directly for room set up and tear down. The room must be returned to its original configuration, lobby, kitchen and any other area used must be left in good order and all spaces used are cleared of materials, trash, etc.  A clean-up fee of $100 will automatically be assessed if cleaning or other services are required post Community Partner use.   

  • First Flight awareness: So that groups who use our facility understand the mission of First Flight and learn about our work with science-focused startups, we ask Community Partners to: 

    • Show our video (~ 5 minutes) at least once a year to your group.  

    • Call your group’s attention to First Flight’s program materials in the lobby that describe our work as a science and technology incubator.

    • Add our logo and link to your website on your organization’s website.  If there are questions about this step contact First Flight’s Office Manager. 

  • Security:  First Flight resident companies are involved in highly confidential and important scientific endeavors. It is our top priority to make sure this facility protects their privacy and work. There have been instances of Community Partners leaving/propping doors open to the facility, going throughout the building to "explore", leaving debris in the meeting rooms/main lobby and conference rooms, etc.  Failure to respect First Flight’s needs may jeopardize the Community Partner’s status and the program itself.

If you are interested in becoming a Community Partner please complete the application.  If you have questions contact info@ffvcnc.org