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Metro Detroit's Nonprofit Facilities Center Reports First-Year Accomplishments
Metro Detroit's Nonprofit Facilities Center Reports First-Year Accomplishments
Published 02-19-03
Submitted by United Way Community Services
"Detroit's Nonprofit Facilities Center is a national first: a United Way teaming up with NFF to provide comprehensive facilities planning, financing and implementation advice at every step of the building cycle," said Clara Miller, president, NFF. "We are thrilled that this innovative initiative has already had such an impact on the Detroit nonprofit community, and the success of its projects and programs."
Since the Center was launched in Feb. 2002, more than 100 metro Detroit nonprofits, both United Way-member and non-member agencies, have benefited from its services. More than $420,000 in matching funds have been approved for facility needs. Other accomplishments were:
* enrollment of 111 nonprofit organizations requesting Nonprofit Facilities Center services
* conducted 11 workshops providing information in facility project planning, real estate decisions and funding facility projects
* received 29 Planning Grants applications to study the feasibility of capital projects. Five grants were distributed in 2002 and others are being reviewed.
* received four Capital Grant applications to undertake facilities projects. Capital Grants will only be awarded to nonprofits that demonstrate not only the capacity to undertake the project, but the project must support the mission of the organization.
* received five Immediate Needs grant requests for emergency capital
needs, of which three have been approved
More than $25.2 million was raised through United Way Community Services'Capital Fund Campaign to help the Center provide technical assistance and financial services to nonprofits in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties over a four-year period. Funding was provided by several foundations, corporations, as well as individuals and is specifically targeted for nonprofit capital building needs.
"United Way Community Services is the only major United Way in the country that raises dollars to support the facility and equipment needs of nonprofit human service agencies in our community," said Virgil H. Carr, president and CEO, United Way Community Services. "The Nonprofit Facilities Center is the most comprehensive approach to serving capital facility needs in southeast Michigan and serves as a model for other communities to adopt."
The project is a result of feedback received from agencies, contributors and foundations regarding the need to strengthen the capital campaign effort.
A volunteer task force was formed in 2000 to examine how United Way Community Services could strengthen the planning and fulfillment of metro Detroit nonprofits' capital projects. United Way partnered with the Nonprofit Finance Fund in New York, which successfully services nonprofits capital needs in seven other regional markets throughout the nation. As a result, the Nonprofit Facilities Center was formed in Oct. 2001 with full services launched in Feb. 2002. Stephen Ewing, president and COO, DTE Energy, is
chair of the Nonprofit Facilities Center Advisory Committee.
Among the several metro Detroit nonprofits that have benefited from the Nonprofit Facilities Center's services is the Assumption Nursery School and Toddler Center in St. Clair Shores. The school received a $20,000 Planning Grant to conduct a feasibility study to examine how the school's space can meet the needs of its nearly 400 students.
According to Joan DeRonne, administrator, Assumption Cultural Center, who oversees the Assumption Nursery School, "We're so busy meeting our standards for educational excellence, providing a secure, caring environment where our children can thrive, that often there isn't any funding left for facility projects, such as expanding our nursery school."
DeRonne continued, "The scope of training and resources provided by the Nonprofit Facilities Center has been wonderful. We would not be as far in our facility planning process if it wasn't for this assistance."
The offices of Catholic Social Services of Wayne County are in a three story, 75 year-old building in Detroit. The organization's one elevator was damaged by a fire and needed to be replaced in order to safely serve the agency's clients, many of which are senior citizens.
"We were able to apply for an Immediate Needs Grant to repair the elevator," said Patrick Heron, president, Catholic Social Services of Wayne County. "The Nonprofit Facilities Center was a lifesaver."
Heron added, "As a result, we are working with the Center's staff to plan for future capital needs through the Building for the Future project. This process will help us establish a building reserve fund to eliminate future emergency-driven repairs. The dollars we save will be matched by the Center.
This pro-active approach to facility planning will allow us to focus more on serving our clients and community."
Established metro Detroit nonprofit 501 (c)(3) agencies interested in information on the Nonprofit Facilities Center, including upcoming
workshops, should call 313-226-9420.
United Way Community Services links the community to mobilize volunteer, financial and information resources to meet efficiently the human service needs of Detroit and southeastern Michigan. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way Community Services funds more than 130 tri-county health and human service organizations through its annual Torch Drive. These agencies impact local people each year by providing services that increase economic self-sufficiency, protect children and youth at risk, strengthen families, mobilize efforts for the hungry and homeless, and promote health and wellness. Additional information is available at http://www.unitedway.uwcs.org .
