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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — At first glance, Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Mesa Developmental Services may appear strange bedfellows but the two nonprofit organizations have agreed to a 90-day trial partnership that could prove beneficial to both.
What used to be a contaminated junkyard along the Colorado River years ago became home — thanks to thousands of volunteer hours and community donations — to the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, a 15-acre site at 641 Struthers Ave., which includes a tropical greenhouse, a butterfly house and herb, cactus and rose gardens. Outdoor concerts take place during three seasons at the gardens' nearby amphitheater.
The nonprofit botanical gardens has long struggled to raise enough money to cover its operating costs — especially in the winter when there are fewer visitors and special events.
When WCBG board of directors president Jon Schler announced several months ago the organization was running out of money and at risk of closing, Mesa Developmental Services CEO Jeff Nichols approached the board to see how the two nonprofits could partner and help each other.
MDS serves clients with disabilities, has more than 375 employees, five program sites and 14 group homes throughout the Grand Valley.
Currently, the botanical gardens employs one full-time person — Michelle Kolb, who works as volunteer coordinator and office manager. Total operating costs at the botanical gardens was $230,000, which included paying for former executive directors and accounting services, Schler said. Fundraising however, raised only $140,000 to 160,000.
“Our (past executive directors) worked hard,” Schler said. “We don't pay them a lot. We couldn't quite get to the next level.”
Nichols will serve as acting executive director for the next three months as he and MDS staff volunteer their time to help the botanical gardens with budgeting, strategic planning, promotion, and achieving financial stability.
The gardens is also sharing MDS' operational services such as computer hosting, information systems assistance, and telephone services — which has resulted in additional cost savings. MDS will also help with public relations, media exposure and funding, primarily through grant-writing.
“We have been in conversations with the WCBG board for several months to discuss how we can assist them operationally in a cost-neutral way and work with them to further our mission as a support service for people with disabilities,” Nichols wrote in a letter Wednesday to key partners of the gardens.
MDS views the botanical gardens as potential for vocational training and a community volunteer site for the people it serves. Experience gained through volunteering at the gardens could also lead to employment for MDS clients at other businesses, Schler said.
“Our site is the perfect training ground for that,” Schler said. “It's amazing, a perfect marriage.”
“A few months ago I was afraid we would shut down,” Schler said. Now, “I feel like we're going to make it.”
The botanical gardens is temporarily closed for repairs and will reopen in February, its regular hours, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gardens is also available by appointment and for special events and tours outside regular hours.
What used to be a contaminated junkyard along the Colorado River years ago became home — thanks to thousands of volunteer hours and community donations — to the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, a 15-acre site at 641 Struthers Ave., which includes a tropical greenhouse, a butterfly house and herb, cactus and rose gardens. Outdoor concerts take place during three seasons at the gardens' nearby amphitheater.
The nonprofit botanical gardens has long struggled to raise enough money to cover its operating costs — especially in the winter when there are fewer visitors and special events.
When WCBG board of directors president Jon Schler announced several months ago the organization was running out of money and at risk of closing, Mesa Developmental Services CEO Jeff Nichols approached the board to see how the two nonprofits could partner and help each other.
MDS serves clients with disabilities, has more than 375 employees, five program sites and 14 group homes throughout the Grand Valley.
Currently, the botanical gardens employs one full-time person — Michelle Kolb, who works as volunteer coordinator and office manager. Total operating costs at the botanical gardens was $230,000, which included paying for former executive directors and accounting services, Schler said. Fundraising however, raised only $140,000 to 160,000.
“Our (past executive directors) worked hard,” Schler said. “We don't pay them a lot. We couldn't quite get to the next level.”
Nichols will serve as acting executive director for the next three months as he and MDS staff volunteer their time to help the botanical gardens with budgeting, strategic planning, promotion, and achieving financial stability.
The gardens is also sharing MDS' operational services such as computer hosting, information systems assistance, and telephone services — which has resulted in additional cost savings. MDS will also help with public relations, media exposure and funding, primarily through grant-writing.
“We have been in conversations with the WCBG board for several months to discuss how we can assist them operationally in a cost-neutral way and work with them to further our mission as a support service for people with disabilities,” Nichols wrote in a letter Wednesday to key partners of the gardens.
MDS views the botanical gardens as potential for vocational training and a community volunteer site for the people it serves. Experience gained through volunteering at the gardens could also lead to employment for MDS clients at other businesses, Schler said.
“Our site is the perfect training ground for that,” Schler said. “It's amazing, a perfect marriage.”
“A few months ago I was afraid we would shut down,” Schler said. Now, “I feel like we're going to make it.”
The botanical gardens is temporarily closed for repairs and will reopen in February, its regular hours, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gardens is also available by appointment and for special events and tours outside regular hours.
