VERO BEACH — United Way of Indian River County announced today that Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties (BBBS) has officially “graduated” from its Non Profit Incubation Center.
On March 22, BBBS staff members packed a rented truck for the .5 mile move to “The Little House” on 1846 18th Ave. in Vero Beach. The organization had been occupying an office in the United Way’s Non Profit Incubation Center, located on the 2nd level of the United Way Center, since 2005.
The Incubation Center features five fully operational offices and is designed to house non profits that are looking to build their programs and expand their capacity in Indian River County. Construction of the Nonprofit Incubation Center as part of the United Way Center was underwritten by The Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters was the ideal type of organization to bring into the Incubation Center. During their time with us, they grew their board, expanded the number of clients they could serve, came up with innovative collaborations, and stabilized their funding streams, all key components in building their program here in Indian River County. We were honored to help them on their way,” said United Way CEO Michael Kint.
Before moving into the Incubation Center, BBBS had been serving Indian River County since 2003, albeit in a limited capacity from their home base in St. Lucie County. The organization has more than doubled its capacity during that time serving 648 children in 2003 to 1,569 children in 2010.
BBBS is governed by a Corporate Board of 20 Officers and Directors. Indian River and Okeechobee Counties have Advisory Boards with representation on the Corporate Board.
United Way is hard at work locating the next tenant for their Incubation Center. Organizations wishing to be considered need to be an established 501c3 non profit organization with a programmatic presence in Indian River County.
Ideally, United Way is looking to foster an organization that needs an office on a full time basis. Organizations wishing to apply can send a letter of intent detailing their current programs, their board of directors, their plans for expansion or growth, and why they would be a good candidate for the Incubation Center, to Michael Kint, United Way Incubation Center, 1836 14th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
