2018 Annual Report

STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS
Skagit Clubs were able to add 3 vehicles to the fleet in the last couple of years—with 7 Club sites, it was a
much-needed upgrade in maneuverability, safety, and logistics.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County is many things.
At the core, it is a mission-driven social service provider
of out of school programs for youth ages 6-18
in our local communities. Clubs are a safe, fun, and
positive place for members, and families take comfort in
knowing their children have engaged in new opportunities
regularly that help with their pathway to a great future. The
organization is also a business, significant provider of food
services, facilitator of resources, convener of advocates and
much more.
Sustainability is an interesting concept for a non-profit
organization. Unless it is an agency that has the ability
to generate revenue from fee-based services, ongoing
grants, or contracts, the need to raise money is constant.
Currently, approximately $1.7 million must be raised each
year from the community to continue to operate. This is
a significant amount, and we are blessed that the area is
so philanthropic in nature. However, until an endowment
is built to generate that required revenue, and more, as
Clubs regularly operate with waiting lists, and the known
need for more capacity is tremendous, the fundraising
must continue. For perspective, to simply maintain current
operations solely with an endowment would require that it
be funded to a level exceeding $40 million. Until someone
wins the lottery, that day is a long way off.
Complicating matters is the very different funding streams
available. Nearly all personal contributions are made
unrestricted, which supports the necessary overhead to
maintain compliance and business functions, and more
importantly, funds the Club leadership and front-line staff
that works hard every day to create change in the lives of
our 1,800+ Club members each year.
Some corporate and grant funds are more restricted,
to align with the values and investment interests of the
funder. These are typically manifest in special projects and
initiatives, and capital purchases. The funds cannot be
used to increase capacity or space available, nor lessen
the responsibility of the local community toward the mission.
Instead, they support our mission, to enable all young
people, especially those who need us most, to reach their
full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Essentially, as the staff has worked hard at donor reten-
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