RICE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
FEASIBILITY STUDY
JULY 8, 2010
THE STUDY
The financial feasibility study for the Rice County Habitat for Humanity (RCHFH) was conducted in the cities of Faribault, Lonsdale and Northfield during the latter part of June 2010.
The study was prompted by a recommendation of RCHFH’s Development Advisors. It was felt that to properly investigate the effectiveness of future efforts to raise funds for RCHFH, certain information needed to be known within the communities we serve: is there sufficient knowledge about RCHFH; are there any negative aspects to its image; what is the competition for funds; and, what is the economic climate.
As with any feasibility study, those interviewed represented a sampling of community leaders and/or those who had the potential to be major donors. The interviews were conducted by Eric Bundgaard, Barry Carlson and Marcia Walters. Eric and Barry interviewed in Northfield, while Marcia addressed individuals in Lonsdale and Faribault. At the end of the interview session, a folder containing Habitat literature was left with each person.
While it would have been ideal to cluster the interviews into a small time frame, this was not possible due to scheduling conflicts. Thus, the interviews were done over a two-week time period.
Potential interviewees were contacted by Gina Franklin, development director for RCHFH, who enlisted their cooperation for the interview and scheduled the times for the interviews to be held. She followed up with thank you notes to those interviewed.
While some questions elicited fairly uniform responses, where there was a geographical difference the answers will be broken down by cities.
IMAGE
Everyone contacted had knowledge of Habitat for Humanity. Some had direct contact as a funding source or had a presentation made to a group of which they were a part. Jimmy Carter was mentioned by many of the respondents as the most visible symbol of Habitat. There was more division if locally there was awareness of RCHFH. It was mentioned by some that there was more of a national awareness than local. Overall, those interviewed had a positive response to RCHFH.
There was some confusion of the requirements for those receiving homes: that they must be employed and meet income guidelines, that they could not sell the home immediately and reap a profit.
In Lonsdale, the existing Habitat home was praised for being well taken care of, but the current construction is viewed by some of the neighbors as not fitting into their neighborhood.
Just a few of those interviewed had some involvement with any of the fundraising events of RCHFH. Most had neither attended an event, nor been invited.
BOARD
Board members were not widely known. In Lonsdale, Randy Stangler was mentioned. In Faribault, the local advisors, Ken Kangas, Bill Sartor, and Tom Waarvik, were noted. Blake Abdella and Barry Carlson were the names most often cited by Northfield people.
It was questioned why there were an abundance of Northfield board members and why a lack of women members by interviewees throughout the county.
There was little response when questioned about characterizing the board as most did not know enough of the members to render an opinion. Those that did comment gave the board high marks. A few said that the board had been viewed as disorganized in the past.
There were a number of suggestions made on recommendations for names to serve on the board. These will be shared with the Executive Committee upon request.
ENVIRONMENT
There was universal concern about the economy. While Northfield is faring better than most due to the stability of the colleges and other secure businesses, retailers were characterized as struggling in every city. Many of the respondents didn’t feel that things would improve in the near future. Even those whose business is coping fairly well expressed the opinion that they would not be able to respond to the many requests for donations as they had in previous years.
Every community described theirs as supportive of worthy causes. However, that meant something different in each city.
In Northfield, the United Way generally makes their goal and other capital campaigns, such as for the YMCA, are doing well. There are wealthy individuals in this community; they can be identified and give generously to those requests that match their funding interests. Other campaigns identified are for the Historical Society, Laura Baker, churches, and the Northfield Public Library.
In Faribault, they are failing in their United Way campaign and no other big campaigns are in the works. The Faribault Chamber has had to cut staff and programs as retailers are unable to support this group as in the past. However, there were a number of those interviewed who stated their company would continue to support RCHFH to the best of their ability. One company that had never been approached stated that they would be interested in hearing more about Habitat, and while they might not give anything this year, it sounded like something they might assist in the future.
In Lonsdale, they have never had a large campaign outside of the churches. They had more of what might be characterized as a “bake sale” approach to raising funds. In discussing if there were people of means in Lonsdale, one knowledgeable source said that there were several but they lived in modest circumstances and were unknown to the general population.
FUNDRAISING
The response to the question of Habitat’s ability to raise funds was that more visibility was key. An encouraging sign was that most of those interviewed felt that RCHFH would be successful if the proper steps were taken to get out the Habitat message. One respondent said that $300,000 could be raised yearly. Overall, one could characterize the feeling as “cautious optimism.”
Suggestions given:
· Give thought to the power of “capturing the story.” Small group meetings, with recipients telling their story.
· Important to have a visible face: differentiate between what is nice versus necessary. RCHFH is necessary.
· Build base of support with benefactors after more awareness.
· Form a fundraising committee; create an actual plan and execute, create committees in each community.
· It will take time and there is a lot of competition. It will need to be a recognizable effort.
· Would like to see more building but with old existing homes vacant in Northfield. Couldn’t we use properties with houses on them?
· Revisit United Way options. Doesn’t know why Habitat should not be included.
· Key: emphasize end benefits to families and tell life stories. Articulate benefits.
· Get wives involved in project.
· Place to start is at the Senior Center.
· Start education now; do something with core group now.
· Making the case is so important, get the right people involved. Blake can do the job. Take three to six months to prepare.
· Look to Northfield’s growing senior population. They like to be involved and see things happen.
· Make the case for what the need is in Rice County and need for low cost housing in Northfield.
· Keep information present in newspaper.
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