The Boys & Girls Clubs of America have provided youth with a safe place to stay after school to play, study, and develop for decades, throughout the nation. However, as they are a nonprofit, they are facing some financial hardship. During this time of economic turmoil, Nonprofit Liability Insurance can help to reduce financial stress while they get reestablished and find new solutions.

United Way, the typical funding source, has restructured its funding model. While the Boys & Girls Clubs are still receiving a lump sum, it is nowhere near the donations that were awarded in previous years. A decade ago, United Way granted them $399,342. This year, only $121,000 was given to help fund after school and summer programs.

In order to combat this loss, it is again turning to individuals, corporate and private foundations to support efforts to sustain its work and meet new challenges, according to Lancaster Online.

This area of Pennsylvania is in particular need of assistance as more than 38 percent of its youth live below the poverty line. The admission fee to the Boys & Girls Club can be purchased for a mere $1 and includes entry into the Supper Club, providing each child with a hot meal daily. On average, the Boys & Girls Club provided 400 meals a day.

In addition, more than 3,100 Lancaster County children have one parent who is incarcerated. In order to provide guidance, adult supervision, and protection to these children, the Boys & Girls Club is critical.

Karen Scholer, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club in Lancaster, PA, said “It does take a village to raise our children. We are part of that village to help raise our children.”

So far, independent foundations are already taking part. The Steinman Foundation offered a $1 million challenge gift to encourage a bigger project. What’s more, a potential partnership is in the works between the Boys & Girls Club and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation in hopes of building a youth development park and a clubhouse in the southeast region of Lancaster.

At Charity First, we understand the broad scope of risks that nonprofit organizations face. Our insurance programs are tailored to meet the unique exposure of each industry that can otherwise be hard-to-place. To learn more, contact our experts today at (800) 352-2761.