Funding Obstacles - Exploring Solutions

Presented to the WVSAC Board of Directors by Jim Tarbert, Board Member and Expansion Committee Chair

Many communities in Arizona, recognizing the need to become more inclusive, have built multi-generational centers in lieu of senior centers. While there are still plenty of programs for seniors, there are also opportunities for younger generations, as well as activities to encourage interaction between younger and older groups. Photo credit: City of Tempe.

​Please note: The following was presented to the Senior Center Board of Directors on May 19. It is for discussion purposes only. No decisions have been made.

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We did not secure a grant from the 2025 State Capital Budget, despite having been told we would qualify. To find out why, we are meeting with advisors — including Rep. Mike Steele, on June 10.

We have already learned that successful applicants have often had to apply two or three times to receive funding.

Also, I have reviewed state and federal grants, and I cannot find a successful grant that has the word “senior” in it. Instead, funds are going to groups with multigenerational and multicultural language in their applications.

We know some senior centers have removed “Senior” from their name to get funds, although it is obvious they are still senior centers. So, would it be ethical for us to do the same?

To answer that question, we need to consider anticipated changes in our organization’s future membership. 

We will always be a senior center. However, I am confident that during the next few years our new members will typically be younger (more multigenerational), and they will be more proportionally representative of the Greater Wenatchee Area’s diverse population (more multicultural).  
As membership trends begin to support my assessment, might it be ethically appropriate for the Board to consider updating our mission statement and name to reflect the changes and to facilitate getting the financing we need for both our expansion and operation budgets? If so, an updated mission statement might read as follows:

“A private, self-supporting, nonprofit, multigenerational, multicultural organization to promote the general welfare of the ‘young-at-heart’ population of the Greater Wenatchee Area through programs, services and activities which provide a safe, fun, educational and healthful environment where all are welcome and treated with dignity and respect.”

In addition, an updated name: [one word]________* Activity Center, would help us get the name recognition we need to facilitate our fundraising efforts.
       
   *Wenatchee, Community, Regional, Foothills, Rotary, Stemilt, Campbell

When the original Edmonds Senior Center was demolished, the new building was christened as the Edmonds Waterfront Center. The modern building still focuses on senior activity programs but is also available to the public for classes and events. It includes a sit-down coffee shop with a walk-up window operated by a third party. Photo credit: Edmonds Waterfront Center.