Support allowed Boys and Girls club to remain open
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Two weeks ago the Boys and Girls Club was faced with a challenge not uncommon to many non-profits in the current economic downturn. The board was staring at the possibility of having to close the club. There were a few limited funds coming in the future, however, “too little, too late” sometimes forces organizations to take short-term actions in order to survive the long-term.
Out of necessity the board voted to close the club for six weeks in order to repair the finances.
Fortunately, when our friends of the club heard this was a possibility, they would have no part of it. In a short period of time (five days) there was enough financial support to re-visit the idea. Additional monies continued to arrive and the board cautiously decided to move forward with our regular schedule and keep our club kids in their dependable routine. This sent a wave of relief and appreciation throughout the families in our community that are directly affected by the need for the services our club provides.
Also, it gave our contributors confidence that the board is serious about placing the needs of the kids at the top and putting serious effort into making finances work in tough times.
I want to thank our board members for their difficult deliberations. A valuable organization is at stake and it takes thoughtful stewards to produce the effective solutions to keep the mission on track. This would not have happened without our faithful friends who contribute financially for our kids. Lake County, CSKT Tribal Council, Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation, private foundations, businesses and individual contributors are instrumental in keeping our doors open.
We will cautiously work to maintain funding to get through the end of the year and beyond. The board is diligently seeking “sustainable income” in the form of ACH (automatic deposits) and other sources to stabilize our club. Planning becomes a better tool when the board knows just how much it can count on for a certain length of time in the different income categories.
So, to you who refused to let us fall behind and kept our five-day-a-week youth program available “to those who need us most,” my most humble thanks. The need is great and your continued thoughtful support is still necessary. Thank you again on behalf of my board, staff and most of all, the club kids.
(Editor’s Note — John Schnase is the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County.)
