Professor Teresa Queen April 21, 2014

Date: April 21, 2014

To: Teresa Queen

From: Bethany Walter

Subject: Investment for the Kids

Here is the report you requested investigating potential candidates to receive monetary funds from this investor group. It discusses the problems concerning at-risk children, teens and their families. It also establishes criteria for selecting an organization. I will assess three prospective organizations and make an appropriate recommendation.

Problem: At-Risk Adolescents

This group of investors has expressed concern over the rise in at-risk children and teens. It is seen as a likely drawback to the future growth and advancement of society. The problems faced by these adolescents are often controllable when given the right attention. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Violence or injuries Alcohol, drug or tobacco use Sexual activity Unhealthy diet or lack of physical activity

Investment Focus: Nonprofit Organizations

The mission of this investment group can be best served by the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit organizations help fill the gap on issues where the government and private sector fall short. They often do so at a very small price, or even for free. Providing services to these at-risk children at a low cost is important in achieving our goals.

But no one can do something for nothing, and nonprofits are no exception. Nonprofit organizations are in the most need of grant funds and private donations to finance their operations. I have selected three nonprofit business plans for consideration:

1. Catering Business Plan (Catering for Kids)– Bright Future Youth and Family Services

2. Nonprofit Youth Services Business Plan – Unite for Youth3. Youth Sports Nonprofit Business Plan– Youth Sports

Establishing Criteria for Selecting Organization

In order to choose the best nonprofit organization to invest in, I established criteria based on what the most valuable use of your donation towards achieving the greatest amount good possible for the adolescents. Here are the three criteria I used to evaluate the three organizations:

Professor Teresa Queen April 21, 2014

Present Impact Future Building Cost/Need

- Evaluates the current nature of the organization- Assesses the immediate impacts of the program

- Evaluates what actions the organization is taking to ensure future success- Tries to determine what lasting impact the program will have

- Evaluates what is the most cost effective option- Considers who needs the money the most

Discussion: Evaluating Business Plans by Criteria

Present Impact

Bright Future Youth and Family Services is already a private nonprofit organization that operates out of Lane County, Oregon. Their mission is to assist at-risk youth to become productive citizens by providing learning and work environments where they feel challenged, respected and accountable. They want to expand their most recently developed curriculum on food preparation/handling at the Chambers School and Career Center - Catering for Kids. It will expand to be a full day program that will include education about small business operations. Students will gain work experience, school credit, business skills and a personal sense of accomplishment.

United for Youth is promoting its Nonprofit Youth Services business plan that will focus on responding to the growing needs of youth in the area of Claremont, California. They will do this by promoting pro-social friendships and interpersonal skills. They have created a prospective program that will partner with local schools and the juvenile system to identify youths who need help transitioning into adulthood. Each youth will be paired with a mentor for 12 months. During this time they will participate in weekly planned activities designed to improve the young person’s confidence and hopefulness. Mentors will receive continuous training throughout the year.

YouthSports is a nonprofit business plan designed to provide the sports program necessary to increase youths’ access to health care and healthy development in the Richmond, Virginia metro area. Currently, only 25 percent of Richmond Metro youth are participating in organized sports, compared with 85 to 90 percent in the suburbs. This robs these adolescents of physical activity, coaching, being part of a team, learning skills and time away from negative activities (drugs, violence and sexual activities). Youth Sports will aim to reach 40,000 children.

Future Building

Bright Future Youth and Family Services has established a detailed list of criteria for ensuring their success in the future. They will cultivate an identity brand for Catering for Kids that they will promote in the area, as well as having plans to expand their customer base into new areas. They will hire a year-round business manager to provide constant

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Professor Teresa Queen April 21, 2014

employment for students. Acquiring additional equipment to support future growth is also very important. Over the long run, they will be providing student with entrepreneurial job skills that can open doors to future employment opportunities.

United for Youth will establish a network of support with the school systems and the juvenile court system and launch a series of fundraising activities that will successfully fund the expanding program. They want to create an effective training program for mentors and a monitoring system for protection. It is unclear from this business plan what effect they believe their program will have on the kids in the future.

YouthSports will utilize the school system as well to promote its program and in recruiting coaches. They will minimize field maintenance and facility costs with the school and city park systems as much as possible. Maintaining the City Council’s support to provide scholarship funds for needy youth and high approval ratings are also very important in their future success. Their long-term impacts will include promoting physical activity, healthy development and teamwork.

Cost/Need

Bright Youth and Family Services is requesting full funding at 30,000 dollars. This will cover inventory costs, marketing materials, and the services of a business consultant. The program may need additional funding in the future, but they do already have a number of capital assets.

The Nonprofit Youth Services business plan will require funding up to around 80,000 dollars. This includes costs to start up costs, as well as funding for the first year of operations. They are looking for ten private sponsors, so the burden would be distributed evenly.

YouthSports, while a great program, has already received a matching grant from the John Ford Stevens Foundations and a number of corporate sponsors. They are not in need of our investment at this time.

Recommendations and Conclusions

At the end of my evaluation of these three nonprofit business plans, I am recommending this group invest in the Catering Business Plan proposed by Bright Future Youth and Family Services. YouthSports was also a very good option, but this program has already been fully funded.

It is true that the Catering Plan requires more funding than the Nonprofit Youth Business plan, but our own business plan is to invest into an organization that will continue to achieve its short-term goals, while also making a lasting impact on our society. The Catering plan has already established its curriculum, and has a clear idea of how it is impacting kids right now, as well as having a clear understanding of how they are moving forward. United for Youth, on the other hand, uses vague writing to explain its already-vague mission. The Catering Business plan has what it takes to keep our money working into the future.

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