I recently attended an event at an amazing new homeless shelter in Marin called the Next Key, which is part of Homeward Bound of Marin in the Bay Area. They have created the most creative and innovative program I have ever seen — raising over one million dollars by creating an IPO (Immediate Public Offering) at $32.00 per share to fund a project unlike any other.
The ROI ( Return on Investment) for their IPO includes:
• 32 units of affordable housing and job training programs.
• A legacy of self-sufficiency.
• Invitations to Annual Events at their fabulous facility.
• A shareholder certificate.
• 10% discount off Fresh Starts Catering services.
• A letter confirming the IPO is tax-deductible.
They currently have over 31,000 shareholders including Warren Buffet, who bought the first share. In total, Homeward Bound of Marin has raised over 8 million dollars to create a shelter that can house up to 350 homeless per night, has a culinary school to help train and certify homeless in food services, and provides a variety of other services to homeless families and adults.
“Fresh Starts” Culinary Academy provides a five-month course in cooking
basics and food service called “Professional Culinary Occupations.”
This course is designed to prepare participants for jobs in the culinary
industry and includes food service and preparation, safety training, and cooking practices through hands-on experience. The program is recognized by the National Restaurant
Association and many of their graduates now work in the food service industry.
The Next Key Center is a state-of-the-art facility that also runs a catering business, makes and sells low-fat truffles (they are amazing — I buy them for the holidays!), and offers public cooking classes with Celebrity Chefs. Not to mention their facilities…which are stunning and available for public rental. All of these services generate revenue for the center and create employment for the community!
This organization really epitomizes what can be created when you mix heart, creativity, innovation, determination and spirit together. It is the ultimate recipe for success!
Anyone can invest — you can still buy a share of their IPO for $32. This is a great gift idea for the holidays and is a gift that keeps giving, which is good news for everyone!
Peace and Blessings!
posted December 1, 2009 at 11:47 pm
This is a wonderful example of innovative thinking and it addresses both an immediate need and gives future hope for self sufficiency, and a “giving-back skill”. This is the kind of skill that perpetuates a desire to pass it on. It’s an inspiring and hopeful way to- both do the right thing, and dig a little deeper into our strengths bank– to see what gift we might offer up for the whole.