WAG Meeting 4/26

The Wellness Action Group is a local community organization in it's infancy that is sponsored by the Horizons Group and WSU to reduce or eliminate poverty in this area.

The focus of the Wellness Action Group is to build a community center for the Grand Coulee Dam Area. There is a major need for a center here and much of the central issues with poverty could be better addressed with this type of facility.

Although at this time the majority of efforts and needs have been directed towards planning, in the very near future the W.A.G. hopes to begin the process of coordinating funds and building the community center. At that point, the support of the entire community will be needed.

For now it is enough to get the word out about what the goals of the W.A.G. are and let the entire community know to be ready to help however they can.

Thank you,

W.A.G.
Rick Morton, Member

Next meeting:

Monday, April 26, 2010
Grand Coulee Senior Center
6:30 pm

Funding Possibilities Meeting 4/8/10

What happened at the meeting?
A Lesson in Self- sustainability: Outcomes That Change Communities

Patrick Malone, Presenter
WSUE Horizons Coach




4/8/10
Senior Center, Grand Coulee, WA

Outcomes

The most important aspect of funding any program is to focus on the outcomes for people that you hope to achieve.

What will change?
How will you know?

How much? What is your budget? What will you fund? How committed are those involved?




Create the value in the community--
The Horizons group-- How can you generate own income?

What about your core membership?
You as leaders?
Board members?
Have you shown your commitment?




Fees for service
In today's economic times, be entrepreneurial in your design.

• Social enterprise....Earned income. For what can you charge a fee?
• Donors... individual are base -- 85% of all donations
• Grants....hardest and slowest
• Government earmarks... Yes, that word: pork. Think of the West Central Community Center, Spokane. What will catch the eye and heart of those involved?

Gap funders...a
Again, what has the community given and developed to which the funders fill the gap?

Ideas:
Community garden members develop and sell a product from their produce (example: salad dressing in LA).

Expertise from community members we serve (sales, accounting, art, etc.) provide the foundation for themselves and a new service --a thrift store, an art gallery with lessons, a local book). Jobs created and funds (social enterprise) reinvested.
........

Other Topics
Nonprofits --membership fees

Pricing-- think of our Horizons group as the business across the street.

Marketable expertise. -- What skills do our members and our community have that can be marketed?

How about...
Art
Culture
Garden
Drama
Animal care
Story telling
Music
Poetry
Photography

Resources

Directory of community nonprofits

Grants.gov. Funds
Earmarks - apply.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Foundation Directory Online ask library to subscribe to the Foundation Directory Online

Foundation center...online search section...

Federal funds ... Own those items forever... Be prepared...

Consider: Public vs private money

Foundations don't want continued connection but DO want sustainability. Remember to focus on and tell the stories of your outcomes.

Funder contacts. Enjoy contact. People. Relationships.

Build a culture of service ... Philanthropy

Everyday Democracy

....

Needs
Meshing and blending group goals

Park & Rec district...
1st Monday, 5:00. Center School teacher lounge
New school needs more to obtain its original ideas
Letters---lots of letters

Tourists will be part of help--- need more to do, so our vision will add to their needs for which they will pay the fee to use our center.

Year round use... Yes, the pool and more.

The vision: community center: pool, child care, classes, etc.

The message:
How much will you help so we can make it happen together?
Our initial output will promote help for the community, market our community skills, and support the quest for further funding.
...


-- Post From IPad by Sheri

Location:Senior Center, Grand Coulee, WA