Success Story: California
- Silicon Valley SBDC
- Client: PARTI Program
The Positive Alternative Recreation Teambuilding Impact (PARTI) program has been in existence since 2001. As a 501c3 organization (tax exempt non-profit), its purpose is to build today’s youth into the leaders of tomorrow through education, leadership development, mentoring, making healthy choices, and volunteerism in the community. The organization’s founder, Winston Ashby, spends a great deal of time working with youth at the high school and middle school levels on San Jose’s eastside. The organization is largely dependent on grants and fundraisers to further its mission, sustain its employees, and continue to increase its revenues.
PARTI operates programs for youth in both Northern and Southern California. Through his dedicated work with young people, Winston has inspired many students to realize their dreams of going to college and building careers for themselves. One of the program’s most famous graduates appeared as a finalist on the TV show “American Idol”.
The on-going challenge for Winston, prior to working with the SBDC, had been securing enough funding to retain his current employees. He struggled to locate new funders in the Bay Area. In addition, Winston knew and understood that he needed more high-profile figures to recognize and support the work of his organization for branding purposes. (more…)