San Luis Obispo Non-Profit Support Center Feasibility Study

San Luis Obispo
Non-Profit Support Center Feasibility Study
1998-99

Cuesta College Institute of Professional Development

Study underwritten by PG&E Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Los Padres Customer Operations

Executive Summary

Background
Cuesta College Institute for Professional Development was awarded a PG&E grant in August 1998 to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing a Non-profit Support Center for San Luis Obispo County. The College used an independent consultant to coordinate the study with input from the Advisory Committee of the Collaboration Forum.

Methodology
The feasibility study used three methods of data collection: surveys; interviews with board members and a focus group. Surveys were mailed in December 1998 and also distributed at the Collaboration Forum in January 1999. The total number of returned surveys was 77. Eight individual interviews with Board members were conducted and one focus group was held at the Collaboration Forum.

Results of Feasibility Study
The survey results, the Board interviews and the focus group data reported that 60% of the 77 agencies completing the survey indicated that they would use the services provided by a Non-profit Support Center. Since there were 35% who indicated that they were "unsure" and seemed interested, both the Board interviews and especially the focus group identified a need to educate and inform the community about what a Non-Profit Support Center can do and the benefits of a Center.

The survey results indicated that only 17% of the 51 agencies who budget for professional development and training said that they would be willing to commit a percentage of their budget for a Non-Profit Support Center. Basically, 83% of the agencies were not willing to make a commitment of their budget for a Center at this time.

The survey results also indicate that 37% of the respondent agencies did not want to pay membership fees and of those agencies who did support paying a membership fee, the average that they were willing to pay was fifty dollars with a range of twenty-five to one hundred dollars. For training fees, the majority of agencies indicated that they would pay sixteen to forty dollars for half-day training and thirty-one to eighty dollars for full day training.

Fiscal Sustainability
It appears that the Center can not be self-supporting because there would not be enough revenues from membership or seminar fees to sustain a center and provide staffing. While the San Luis Obispo community seems ready to use a Center and the organizational needs and services seem to warrant the establishment of a Center, the financial feasibility and sustainability of a Center are questionable at this time if the sole support comes from the user agencies. In addition, the priorities of the top three foundations in California (Irvine, California Endowment and Packard) are shifting, and they are not funding general operating expenses to start Support Centers. The California Endowment is looking for regional solutions, and they would be more interested in a Support Center if it were done in combination with Santa Barbara or Santa Maria. Realistically, however, a combined center does not rank high in the Endowment's priorities since there is no specific funding for starting Support Centers this year. Therefore, it does not look like it is possible to start a Center at this time.

Location of a Center
The most favored locations mentioned in the survey responses were Cuesta College and the United Way. However, it is unlikely that either organization can take on the start up of a Center without additional funding.

Summary Recommendations
In summary, while it is not possible to start a Non-Profit Support Center at this time perhaps some of the identified needs could be met on an individual basis. The best way to begin is to start small. Most of the model programs started with only one or two training seminars and library services. The survey indicated that training seminars or workshops, library services and a referral bank are top priorities for the San Luis Obispo community organizations. Providing an initial offering that is highly successful would increase the understanding and awareness in the community for the types of interagency services that are needed and begin to address the real needs reported in the survey.

Proceed to the Feasibility Study Introduction.

Return to the Feasibility Study Table of Contents.

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