Business Outline
 Current Stage = Stage 1
 Current Phase = Initial Fund Raising

Research Phase - Completed

  • Research the need for Web Design/Hosting Services for Youth Groups
     - Not only did we find an overwhelming interest in this project but many Councils and Regional's want us to notify them as soon as we are up and running.

  • There are many sites in existence (small number compared to the amount of youth groups in our country), but many have fallen into non-use, because no one knows how to update them.

  • Just designing a website for an organization is not enough, there needs to be user friendly maintenance areas for them to easily update there sites.

Design Phase - Completed

  • Design website Ö

  • Outline fund raising ideas. Ö

  • Begin raising funds for infrastructure expenses Ö

Infrastructure Phase - Completed

  • File for 501c3 Not-For-Profits Status (completed with National Heritage Foundation) Ö

  • Due to changes in the law regarding foundations, we must file for our own 501c(3) Charitable Status.  Cost is around $3,000.00.Ö

  • Create various web applications Ö
    - Contact us email forms with position selectable direction (i.e. Cub Master,
      Committee Chair, Den 1 Leader, Etc..)     Ö
    - Group Calendar     Ö
    - Photo Library     Ö

Initial Fund Raising - In progress

  • We need to raise $150-$200k
     - Domain Name Registrations, transfers and renewals
     - Dedicated Servers
     - Web Designer Salary
     - Travel Expenses
     - Equipment
     - Facility
     - Accounting, Payroll Services & IRS Filing

Phase 1

Notify one council/regional at a time that we are ready to take on more Youth Groups:

  • FREE website hosting

  • Domain location via www.YouthGroupName.com/YouthGroupName
    (All YGS Domain Names supplied will be registered with Network Solutions)
    (YGS does not guarantee the availability of any Domain Name)

  • Website Design & Maintenance
     - We will start with all Custom Website Designs

Phase 2

Once we have a reasonable amount of Youth Groups taking advantage of this program, we will start fund raising efforts.

  • List of prospect contributors and target donations:
    - SBC = T1 or T3 line with an initial 64 IPs
    - Gateway Computers = 1-5 Servers and 1-5 Desktops
    - Microsoft = Server 2003 enterprise, SQL Server, Exchange Server (unlimited seats)
    - Microsoft = 1-5 copies of Windows XP Pro, Office Professional, FrontPage, Visual Studio.
    - Macromedia = 1-5 copies of Studio MX
    - Cisco or WatchGuard for Firewall Routers
    - ? = 10/100/1000 48 port Switch
    - A Legal Firm = Pro-bono services for filings needed for 501c3 status and other misc. legal issues.
    - Monetary Contributors: Various Grants both private and public, but must be non-controlling, Non-Alcoholic Beverage Companies, Restaurant Chains, Departments stores, and other large corporations.

Recognition for these resources will be listed on www.YouthGroupServices.com/Sponsors.aspx in ascending order from highest donated value down. The individual group websites will only list at the bottom of each page in small font w/link the following:

“This site is brought to you by Youth Group Services and its Sponsors.”

  • Youth Group Services will be linked to www.YouthGroupServices.com

  • Sponsors will be linked to www.YouthGroupServices.com/Sponsors.aspx

Initial fundraising goal is to cover all equipment listed with either physical or monetary resources plus a minimum of $50k (preferably$250k) per year for salaries and expenses.

Goals:

  • Service Area Coverage = Lake County Illinois

  • Resources = Materials listed above and $300k

  • Youth Group Website = 100

  • Council/Overseeing Org Websites = 5

  • Employees/Volunteers
    - 1 GM/MIT
    - 1-2 Web Designers (*or volunteer commitment*)
    - 1 Fundraiser

Phase 3

Based upon financial resources (against personnel needs) begin broadening the regions of service to the youth groups. This will involve both telephone marketing and onsite presentations. Concurrently fund raising efforts will step up with 1-2 part/full time employees.

Goals:

  • Service Area Coverage = The Midwest

  • Resources = $500k per year

  • Youth Group Website = 500

  • Council/Overseeing Org Websites = 30

  • Employees/Volunteers
    - 1 General Manager
    - 1 MIT
    - 1 Phone Support?
    - 1-4 Web Designers (*or volunteer commitment*)
    - 1-2 Fundraisers
    - 1 Youth Group Public Relations Liaison

Phase 4

At this point most of the country’s Youth Groups will know of our services and we can begin broadening our services to them. This phase is the final and constantly evolving phase of the organization. The priority objectives as I see them now would be to begin developing the Centralized Information Resource and begin research on what Software Applications would be most useful to the Youth Groups in general. Both of these projects will require additional resources and personnel. With that said the launch of these additional services would be contingent upon funding availability.

Goals:

  • Service Area Coverage = USA

  • Resources = $1m+ per year

  • Youth Group Website = 1000s

  • Council/Overseeing Org Websites = 100s

  • Employees/Volunteers
    - 1 General Manager
    - 1-2 MIT
    - 1-2 Phone Support?
    - 4-6 Web Designers (*or volunteer commitment*)
    - 2-4 Fundraisers
    - 1-3 Youth Group Public Relations Liaison
    - 1-2 Researchers
    - 1-4 Software Designers

* Volunteer Commitment

It is our intention to recruit as many Web Design companies as possible to provide 20 or more hours of design time per year to this project pro-bono. In return for their generous support we will list their company on our Contributing Efforts page.  This will greatly reduce our overhead expenses.

 

 Youth Group Services provides FREE website design and hosting to qualified youth groups in the USA.
(847) 526-0016
Copyright © 2007 Youth Group Services