Kirby Burkholder has been appointed Director of Missouri operations. He has directed IFF real estate consulting projects for the past seven years. Prior to joining the IFF, Kirby spent four years at a Chicago community development corporation where he developed an asset management system for the organization’s affordable housing portfolio and managed pre-development activities for commercial real estate development projects. Kirby will launch a local lending operation in January 2008. His role will include providing technical assitance to help nonprofits consider broader financial strategies for facilities maintenance and growth.

Contact Kirby Burkholder at (312) 596-5129.

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The Wyman Center has been delivering youth programs in St. Louis for over 100 years. In recent years, the agency financed three separate facilities expansion projects using its line of credit. In addition to expanded administrative space, a 2,500-square-foot enterprise center facilitates youth-run art, agricultural, and environmental enterprises that provide lessons in business marketing, planning, and project management. The building also houses a state-of-the-art media center. A 1,600-square-foot open-air pavilion serves as the hub for programming involving fine arts, business and entrepreneurial endeavors, recreation, and outdoor activities. An IFF loan provided The Wyman Center with permanent financing, freeing up the line of credit. Wyman Executive Director David Hilliard says, “IFF spent time understanding our mission as the key to understand how to assist us.”

Contact: Craig Staley, Director of Central Region Lending, (309) 495-5923

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Since October 2006, IFF has closed six loans totaling $4.3 million, with another $3 million in projects in the pipeline, to help nonprofit corporations in Missouri acquire new facilities and renovate leased or owned space. Borrowers include: Easter Seals Missouri, Good Shepherd School For Children, Grand Center, Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation, and The Wyman Center. Executive Director Robert Boyle at Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation says about its IFF loan, “We had given up on this project until meeting IFF. Justine Petersen is a strong but complex organization, and our financials alone can’t tell our story. IFF staff took the time to understand our programs, strengths and commitment to the community, and approved a loan with rates and terms that were pretty unbeatable.” 

Contact: Amy Stewart, Director of Business Development, (312) 596-5114.

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Qualifying charter schools in Missouri with real estate projects (including refinancing) over $5 million are encouraged to apply for participation in IFF’s Charter Schools Capital Program. The U.S. Department of Education has awarded IFF a $10 million grant through its Credit Enhancement Grant Program to open access to tax-exempt bonds to finance charter school buildings. Charter schools with smaller capital or equipment needs are encouraged to apply to the IFF Loan Program. IFF is working with Aaron North at the Missouri Charter Public Schools Association (MCPSA) to better understand the needs of charter schools and introduce schools to IFF. On October 19, IFF will present an information and education session on charter school facilities planning and financing at the 2007 Missouri State Charter Schools Conference.

Contact: Jill Levine, Director of School Services, (312) 596-5108

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Nonprofit Services Consortium has contracted with IFF to conduct the first statewide survey on both financial performance and management factors of Missouri nonprofits. The comprehensive qualitative survey is collecting data from human service agencies covering a three-year period in four areas: finances, operations, facilities, and leadership and governance. The report will provide nonprofit, funder and government leaders with up-to-date information on trends, and offer tools to build the capacity of nonprofit corporations and to help nonprofits thrive in today’s environment. Findings will be announced in November, and a final report will be completed in early 2008.

Contact: Susan Cahn, Director of Research, (312) 596-5130

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On November 16, IFF will present  “An Introduction to Facilities Planning, Financing and Development” as part of the Professional Development Program at George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. The workshop will provide nonprofit and board leaders with practical tools to think more strategically about facilities as they relate to program needs, operating budgets and long-term planning. Learning objectives range from planning and budgeting for facility repairs and maintenance to assessing project feasibility and planning for a real estate development project.

Click here to view program information or to register.

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