Literacy Nanaimo is a community-based literacy organisation founded in 1989. They represent a population base of approximately 100,000 in the central east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. From the beginning they have had an informal, successful partnership with their community college in delivering a volunteer tutor programme. Literacy Nanaimo’s role in the partnership is to generate public awareness, fund-raise and provide community access through a downtown facility with tutoring rooms and resource material. They coordinate: the adult volunteer tutor programme, a programme of volunteers going into elementary schools to be reading or math buddies to children in early grades and a tutoring programme with alternate schools. They provide basic computer instruction in a computer lab (all the computers are donated) and coordinate a computer recycling programme in partnership with community schools and other community agencies. Fundraising has been the primary focus of the organisation, for, without funds, there are no programmes. It was recognised early on that some form of independent, stable funding had to be established. Like all other organisations, they started out with special events, the most labour intensive of them all being “book sales”. After doing a few book sales a plan was proposed to open a permanent “used book” store.  The store opened in May 1994, has changed location once, and last year generated 35% of Literacy Nanaimo’s total revenue. They employ a part-time manager (volunteer supervisor) and all of the staff are volunteers. All of the store fixtures, including the cash register, have been donated from the community. The connection between literacy and books makes the store an easy sell. All of the books are donated, so can be sold at very low prices. Discounts are given to literacy volunteers, book dealers, home schoolers, etc. The store provides work experience for volunteers and youth required to do community hours, and boxes of books have been sent to remote First Nations villages in B.C. as well as many third world countries. Gaming (gambling) is another major source of funding. In British Columbia having a bingo or casino license is how most charities access Provincial government funds. Literacy Nanaimo agrees with other charities - it is not a good idea to become too dependent on gaming dollars and would like to move away from that source of revenue. 
They are a member agency of United Way and participate in a local fundraising association. The fundraising association meets quarterly and is comprised of other community organisations. The purpose is to share information, sponsor workshops, and keep a calendar of special events so that no overlapping occurs. Literacy Nanaimo believes in working in partnership with as many other community groups, agencies and businesses as possible. The board of directors is a cross section of business, education and service sectors. For more information check our website: |
