Bella Vista Non Profits Might Get Help From City
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: January 9, 2013
A helping hand from the city might be just what Bella Vista non profits need.
"I think what you're finding in Bella Vista, along with most places, is volunteerism is getting a little tougher to sustain," says mayor Frank Anderson.
He says city officials are exploring the option of taking on a role with four volunteer-based organizations: the library, animal shelter, museum and cemetery.
"In addition to financial help, it could very possibly be management-type help, administrative-type help," Anderson says.
And the city is looking to start with the library, a place where donations and fundraisers help pay for more than half of it's operating budget, but with the city's help a new chapter could soon be started for nearby non profits just like it.
"We have to generate our own income," says Marianne Fulner, vice-chair for the library's board of trustees. "We are wanting to transition to be a city library."
Anderson says the 6-year-old city already has temporary contracts with the library and animal shelter -- providing them with some pocketbook relief.
And the potential for a permanent presence has many citizens hopeful.
"We would be more like other cities. It would do a lot for the Bella Vista library because we wouldn't have to scramble anymore," Fulner says.
Anderson adds, "To start something and to see it keep growing and to keep expanding and to provide more and more services to residents is exciting, is interesting, and is natural growth, something that we think should continue to go on."
"I think what you're finding in Bella Vista, along with most places, is volunteerism is getting a little tougher to sustain," says mayor Frank Anderson.
He says city officials are exploring the option of taking on a role with four volunteer-based organizations: the library, animal shelter, museum and cemetery.
"In addition to financial help, it could very possibly be management-type help, administrative-type help," Anderson says.
And the city is looking to start with the library, a place where donations and fundraisers help pay for more than half of it's operating budget, but with the city's help a new chapter could soon be started for nearby non profits just like it.
"We have to generate our own income," says Marianne Fulner, vice-chair for the library's board of trustees. "We are wanting to transition to be a city library."
Anderson says the 6-year-old city already has temporary contracts with the library and animal shelter -- providing them with some pocketbook relief.
And the potential for a permanent presence has many citizens hopeful.
"We would be more like other cities. It would do a lot for the Bella Vista library because we wouldn't have to scramble anymore," Fulner says.
Anderson adds, "To start something and to see it keep growing and to keep expanding and to provide more and more services to residents is exciting, is interesting, and is natural growth, something that we think should continue to go on."
