Non-Profit News

I will soon be posting my second feature, and my, how much I learned!

 The American Red Cross Polk County Chapter has certainly kept busy! They have been involved in various forms of disaster relief over the past year. I was very interested to learn how one individual chapter of such a large organization is funded, manned, and promoted.

Phil Attinger, Director of Public Relations at the Polk County Chapter, was just the man to tell me about it.

This book by Shane Claiborne, one of the founders of The Simple Way, is taking nonprofit work to a new level. The Simple Way is a monastic community that takes a grassroots stand on changing their Philadelphia community.

 Claiborne’s book titled “The Irresistible Revolution” changed the way I view nonprofit work. His desire to change the hearts of people, rather than just their economic situation, called me to a higher level of service.

I recommend this book for all faith-based nonprofit workers reaching for a higher purpose in their work. Let me warn you though: this book targets those willing to reach the dregs of society.

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

The American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters each year, including home fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and more. When disaster strikes, there are sometimes thousands of victims needing assistance. This non-profit organization has not only me, but all of America impressed.

I am currently communicating with Phil Attinger, the Public Relations representative for the American Red Cross in Winterhaven, Fl.  I hope to interview him over the next few days to discover exactly how Red Cross is funded, staffed, and managed.

I am completing my undergraduate degree at Southeastern University in less than three months. What that means right now is that I will soon be leaving Lakeland to begin graduate work at University of Central Florida in Orlando.

 And what that really means is that I need to find a job.

Currently, I am employed by Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. This is the first nonprofit organization I have been involved with and been monetarily compensated for my work. My manager has been so supportive of my job search and is now discussing a possible full-time position for me with Girl Scouts in Orlando.

 I am not sure how this will pan out, but I am very enthused to begin researching the non-profit sector in Orlando.

As I spent my first afternoon “generating community awareness” for the “Have a Heart for the Homeless” concert, I happened to meet a woman named Maria.

Around the age of 60, Maria is a beautiful, soft-spoken woman who lives on the streets of Lakeland. She asked me for change, and almost out of habit, I responded:

“Sorry, I don’t carry cash.”

Then, the weight of the poster I carried showed my own hypocrisy. How could I carry a poster titled “Have a Heart for the Homeless” if, in a hurry to help them from afar, I refused to spend a moment with an individual?

I stopped and turned to face Maria fully.

“I don’t carry cash, but if you’re hungry, I’d love to buy you lunch.”

So I did.  

As I begin my time with Talbot House, I am already experiencing Anthony Fusaro’s #1 rule: “Never pay for advertising.”

Talbot House is planning for one of its large fund raisers, a concert titled “Have a Heart for the Homeless.” Fusaro hopes that a local paper will do a feature on this upcoming event (March 8). He also plans on having local radio stations show their support.

My first job in helping implement the event will be generating some community awareness. AKA, I will be hanging up posters. Also, I will be soliciting support from community leaders who would like to advertise in the event’s brochure.

As I do my part to generate awareness, I want to note the response the name “Talbot House” evokes from the city of Lakeland. That might give me more clues as to their public image and their public impact. 

Lakeland, FL – Running a multi-million dollar business could be considered a normal occurrence in today’s business market. But Lighthouse Ministries, a non-profit organization that started in a liquor store, is taking that kind of business to a new level.    
        
Situated in downtown Lakeland, Lighthouse Ministries has been in operation since 1977. Currently, they run nine community programs from their three million dollar budget. The big news is: they receive no government funding. Instead, Lighthouse is funded through donations.

“When you have government funding, you can’t mix your program and your message,” said Sharon Johnson, Operations Manager at Lighthouse Ministries. “But because our mission is sharing the gospel, it has to be in everything we do.”

The vision of Lighthouse Ministries began with two area businessmen, Carl Warnock and Jim Welch. Planning to begin a shelter, Warnock purchased a former liquor store, knowing the shelter had to be near the train and bus stations.

In the beginning Lighthouse served as a nightly men’s shelter where the Gospel message accompanied a meal and a bed. This continued until 2001 when an accompanying women and children’s shelter opened.

Even in their extensive growth, Johnson assures that Lighthouse Ministries has not lost its primary vision.

“We have many different areas, but it’s all within one ministry,” Johnson said.

           
Lighthouse Ministries still maintains both shelters today in its downtown Lakeland location. Its programs include the Gospel Rescue Mission, a night shelter; two thrift stores; a community preschool; and a new hydroponics garden titled “Project Green Thumb.” The Adult Learning and Career center offers self-improvement courses, while the KidCare program offers resident children pediatric, academic, and assessment care. H.O.P.E. Outreach is also available for families in need of case management, food, clothing, household items, furniture, and referral services.

These programs run alongside the Men’s and Women’s One-Stop Care centers, which offer a year-long program where candidates live at Lighthouse and take courses both for self-improvement and career experience. Advancement and graduation from this program are based on individual need and progress.

           
With so many programs running simultaneously, Lighthouse depends on approximately 200 volunteers.

           
“We are a non-profit organization, which means we can’t pay everyone,” said Linda Robinette, Assistant to the Executive Director of Lighthouse. “We interview each volunteer and then place them according to what their passion is.”

Aside from staffing this organization, Lighthouse has the enormous task of raising millions of dollars each year. According to the 2006 statement of funds, Lighthouse received over 3 million dollars in donations.

           
Even with numerous programs Lighthouse is known for its fiscal responsibility. In 2006, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability extended its prestigious membership to Lighthouse. This recognition continued when Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, named Lighthouse Ministries a 4-star organization in 2007 for its financial management.

           
So how does this organization, run by few staff and an army of volunteers, raise millions of dollars? And after the money is raised, how do they manage it with incredible wisdom? Johnson says it all boils down to community involvement and faith.

           
“Letting the community know what you’re doing and what your ministry is all about is so important.” Johnson said. “Also, following God’s direction and seeking His will in all things is important. We don’t do anything around here without prayer.”

For more information on Lighthouse Ministries, follow the link to www.lighthousemin.org.

Pictures are copyright Lighthouse Ministries.

 The Kaiser Family Foundation released a new study today, showing that broadcast and cable stations do devote some air time to non-profit organizations offering public service announcements. This is incredibly helpful to organizations promoting health, safety, and well-being in the community.

The only problem is, the air time is virtually non-existent. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimated that 17 seconds of each hour are devoted to non-profit PSA’s. That would be only one-half of one percent of all TV air time. And to top it all, 60% of this air time was ran overnight. Only 13% of PSA’s make it to prime time, when the majority of Americans would actually be watching television.

For more info, check out: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/search.jsp?searchtype=full&option=headlines&criteriadisplay=show&resourceid=3650350

I completed my interview with Lighthouse Ministries yesterday. I am amazed at this organization, and you will be too! Just wait until you hear how this high-budget non-profit organization is funded!

 If you just can’t wait, get a little of the inside scoop at: http://www.lighthousemin.org/about.htm

My first response to Talbot House is: Wow.

Their professionalism and organization of volunteers, clients, programs, events, and donations is impressive. My first project will be under Anthony Fusaro, the director of development. We will be making contacts, printing brochures, and gathering donations for the upcoming “Have a Heart for the Homeless” concert here in Lakeland, FL.

Mr. Fusaro taught me two lessons in our short time together:

(1) Never pay for advertising. (My PR undergraduate degree should come in handy here.)
(2) Non-profit events are nearly 100% legwork. Phone calls, e-mails, and personal visits are essential. (Again, I think my background in Public Relations will start me off on the right foot in non-profit organizations.)