I live in the Quad Cities andI have been noticing there is a need for a place where kids can go after school and where the community can go as well. I wanted to provide computer labs/classes, literacy classes, childrens recreactional activities, etc. I have bounced the idea around in my church and it was agreed upn that there was a huge need for a community center in the area. I have contacted the city about funding sources and other resources and we are hitting some road blocks. Does anyone have any idea about funding sources for a project like this??? Please, the information is needed and would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
Sincerly
Tracey Marshall

I am in the same boat. I have a desire to start a "gym" for teens and pre teens, but getting it to turn a profit is what is stopping me. (well, that and my husbands desire to start a real estate investment company, and my recent assignment at my church to start a mentoring program!) But my burning desire is to teach kids to have fun, get moving and inturn get healthy!

So if anyone figures out how to get the town to help with the financials, I am all ears!
Sarah

You probably won't have much luck with getting funding until you set yourself up. Will probably need to be some sort of a not-for-profit though. Maybe 501(c)3. Definitely need to look into that.

I do know that there are 501(c)3 non-for-profit corporations that actually do make money, which seems strange because what the heck does "not-for-profit" mean?

And with all of the budget cuts going on around the country (I'm assuming you're in the US) and also on the state level, it's going to be even more difficult to find funding.

Other programs are losing money left and right, for services that are necessities such as Medicaid helping people who might commit suicide if they are off their meds, losing the neighborhood centers that are funded to help people pay their utility bills, etc.

the nonprofits in my area seem to get most of the money and not people ............to the point they should call there selves for big profits corporationslet me know .........

Tracey,
Normally I wouldn't feed my 2 cents, but I lived in the QCA for 14years.
The first thing is to make certain that you have all the licenses and insurance taken care of. On the other hand, if your church already has a building, check with them to see if their insurance would cover after-school events. Then, when you have a regular group of kids, you may be able to get Deere or ALCOA or the River Bandits involved.

Good luck!
Michael

>I live in the Quad Cities andI
>have been noticing there is a
>need for a place where kids
>can go after school and where
>the community can go as well.
> I wanted to provide computer
>labs/classes, literacy classes, childrens recreactional activities,
>etc. I have bounced the
>idea around in my church and
>it was agreed upn that there
>was a huge need for a
>community center in the area.
>I have contacted the city about
>funding sources and other resources and
>we are hitting some road blocks.
> Does anyone have any idea
>about funding sources for a project
>like this??? Please, the information
>is needed and would be greatly
>appreciated. Thanks!!!SincerlyTracey Marshall

The community i live in is in desperate need for a community center as well. If you came up with any ideas for funding and ways to start this project up, please let me know. My husband is a social worker for DCFS in Chicago and I'm just about to retire at a early age 49. I'm interested in working for myself and for a cause.

thanks

Joyce Gill

I work for a Domestic violence and sexual assault organization in a county that has no funding for any type of community youth program. Let me know if you have any developments in your quest for such a facility.

Below is a website that gives you an outline of how to start a community center. I have the same idea for my neighborhood. I would like to exchange information.

http://www.oneglobalcommunity.com/operating_a_center.htm

So where does the money come from? Does the community pay for this with taxes ordo you apply for a grant?

RJ

try looking a first gov and at the grants and benefits part.let ,me know

I have no idea how to get money from the local government from this but I can imagine it could be tough. Another idea though is to get the money from the community through fund raises and donations. In the small town I grew up in, practically every business was eager to give at least something when it was for a good cause (and they got some free advertising). also lots of the families will be willing to chip in a little bit.

While you are raising the money, a church, sports or martial arts gym or other business might be willing to donate some space to you to get started. You can also try to keep the place running with sliding scale tutoring, having a sports team that competes for prizes, having adult art classes...

In addition, if you get the community involved in creating the place, they will be more likely to think of it as 'theirs' and to use it.

Good luck!
Rebecca

Hi,

I can't belivie I found this thread, because I have wanted to do the same thing. I think first of all write up a business plan and start making lists of all the things you may need. Do you need qualifyed teachers or just people who care about kids etc. I think it would be hard to get a city to pay for this, exspecially if your in a small town as I am. Instead I would look for sources of state and federal funding for non-profits. Also doing fundraising from the community is also a great idea.

I was actually thinking of starting my center as a for profit business with discounts and programs for the less fortunate in my area. My main reason for this is because I really wanted to have quality programs for the kids, adults etc. I don't know this is still an idea I am stirring around.

Jodi :0)

thank you for yhe information, it was very helpful. It's always neccesary to have an outline for a major project, and this makes it much easier!

There is a lot of funding out there. Why don't you piggy back of a non profit agency that have the funds already, then you can have fundraisers to keep it going. Dont try to reinvent the wheel. Do more networking