Moneytalk was already needing to move from a home-based non-profit, renting and borrowing space for workshops and other needs, to having their own permanent space.  Now, due to the exploding increase in number of individuals and families needing assistance, Moneytalk needs their own space more than ever.  While this may sound like it is just overhead, our own space is the only roadblock to our ability to:

1. Host the Drop & Shop store. We have received over 850 items for the free clothing store including clothes, coats, shoes, purses, belts, and jewelry.
2. Accept donated vehicles – a dealer’s license is required to accept donated vehicles and provide a charitable donation receipt; qualifying for a dealer’s license requires our own separate secure space.
3. Access to pull client credit reports – separate secure space required by credit reporting agencies
4. Begin a Homeownership Center – helping clients prepare, purchase, and maintain a home by partnering with businesses specializing in homeownership. Partners will have an annual sponsorship will create sustainable income.  Our partners will have the ability to establish a connection with potential customers and establish their expertise in their field and with their products.
5. Increase volunteer opportunities needed to support the increased client requests
6. Ability to support financial literacy education & coaching for the increasing number of clients (Ongoing Support participation requires participation in financial literacy, this is a hand-up not a hand-out)
7. Meet client requests for positive support opportunities. These opportunities not only help single moms to have a short get-away, but adult conversation, a good listener, and help without ulterior motives.
8. Set up a food pantry, including non-food items such as laundry supplies, feminine care products, bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and so on. Some of our clients do not receive food stamps.
9. Provide opportunity to “purchase” new items using only the credits earned through program participation and progress toward financial stability. The ability to shop for and receive new items is a huge boost for one’s self-esteem and self-confidence.  These items would include small appliances, new clothes and shoes, bedding, towels, batteries, baby items, cleaning supplies, pots and pans, dishes, candles, humidifier, and more.  For a small admin fee, we can receive donations from many different stores.
10. Qualify for grants we currently cannot even apply for because we do not have our own space and at least 2 paid employees. Funders consider Moneytalk unsustainable and will not support us.  We have never received any government funding.  All of the COVID relief funds require our own space & paid staff.
11. Hire some of our clients, homeless veterans, and others who need an opportunity for current work history on their resume and a second chance.
12. Have a few paid staff to provide consistency in the services we provide for those in need. Grantors are more likely to fund a non-profit they consider sustainable which means our own space and paid employees.
13. Provide washers and dryers for those who do not have access to them or suffer the cost of laundry mats.
14. Host community events and activities such as an art show for students in area schools, a summer art camp, or a summer financial literacy camp for teens & young adults.
15. Offer cooking classes, through partners.  Clients cannot be more economical with their grocery budget without it.  Many do not know how to cook or have the equipment necessary, therefore they rely on the more expensive and less healthy fast-food, already prepared foods at the store, and highly processed quick cook options.

We have a potential lead on a contact who can help us purchase a building at a huge discount, possibly a former government building.  Also, there is funding available to rehab these buildings and remodel the interior to meet your organization’s needs.  From what I have been told, if we can complete the remodel with money left over (such as volunteers to do some work or discounted materials), we get to keep what is left.  We just need to get the funding to be able to purchase the space.