Local Ways to Work loan programs are hosted by community-based 501(c)3 organizations with missions that support families striving to achieve greater economic stability and self-sufficiency; and organizations that demonstrate the programmatic, fiscal, and fund development expertise required to operate a successful Ways to Work program. In order to ensure ongoing service excellence throughout the Ways to Work network of local providers, all host agencies for Ways to Work maintain membership in the Alliance for Children and Families.
The Alliance for Children and Families is a nonprofit membership organization representing more than 300 family serving and economic empowerment organizations in the United States and Canada. Motivated by a vision of a healthy society and strong communities, the Alliance works to strengthen America’s nonprofit sector. Any private, nonprofit human service organization providing services to children, families and communities is eligible for full Alliance membership. Membership in the Alliance for Children and Families provides a critical strategic advantage and opportunity for nonprofit organizations. Indeed, membership offers a nonprofit organization the Ultimate Agency Advantage.
As stated by Dan Magnuson, Executive Director – The Counseling Center of Milwaukee and an Alliance member, “The Alliance is a lifeline to the bigger picture and a practical resource for making it through the day-to-day demands of nonprofit human service life.”
The following is an overview of the key components necessary to develop and implement a Ways to Work program.
Initial Inquiry
Once a local 501(c)3 learns of Ways to Work and determines a potential mission fit with the program, the organization contacts the WtW Business Development Team at bizdevelopment@waystowork.org to schedule an overview of Ways to Work.
Ways to Work Introductory Meeting
The WtW introductory meeting provides potential host agency leadership with an overview of the Ways to Work program beginning with program goals, program components, community collaboration considerations, clarification of national Ways to Work vs. local host agency responsibilities, program evaluation outcomes, and local operational funding requirements.
Identify Community Need
If interested in hosting a WtW program the potential host agency conducts an analysis to determine the level of community need for Ways to Work and to outline a business plan for the local Ways to Work program.
Clarify Organizational Readiness
Careful assessment of organizational capacity is a critical step in identifying the correct fit between a potential Ways to Work host agency and a successful Ways to Work program. Key elements of the assessment include:
- Management Capacity
- Program Funding
- Partnerships
- Community Resources
- Local Funding Support
Letter of Intent, Program Application and Certification as a Ways to Work Host Agency
Once committed to becoming a Ways to Work program host, the agency submits a letter of intent, a Ways to Work program application and marketing plan, and required documents supporting the financial strength of the agency are submitted to the Ways to Work national office for review. Upon internal approval of this information, the application packet is presented to the Ways to Work Board for approval. This approval represents a guidance line of credit reflecting the amount of loan capital that will be made available through the national WtW office to fund loans at that local Ways to Work program.
Program Implementation
The national office works in concert with host agencies to support local operating fund development for the program and to create community collaborations to support the local WtW program’s success. National office staff train local program staff, provide ongoing operational and technical support, and implement and oversee loan programs under the umbrella of the national office.
The following is an overview of the Program Operational Model.
Ways to Work, Inc. facilitates the replication of the loan program across the nation by helping Alliance for Children and Family member organizations establish loan offices. Additionally, Ways to Work, Inc. provides comprehensive (initial and ongoing) oversight and support to loan offices.
Roles and Responsibilities
National Headquarters
The national WtW office provides loan capital, the program model, training, technical, operational and funding support to local Ways to Work offices. It also facilitates loan closing and servicing with these key components:
- Harland Financial Solutions, one of the leading providers of technology to U.S. financial institutions, provides loan documentation compliant with the lending laws of all 50 states.
- FIS, the world's top-ranked technology provider to the banking industry, provides data management and reporting systems.
- M&I Corporation, a diversified financial services company, is the behind the scenes servicing partner.
- Handel Information Technologies, Inc., makes the best human services software solutions possible through RiteTrack, their innovative software. RiteTrack provides a versatile solution that offers a wide variety of functionality.
- Dedicated, experienced loan processing and portfolio management staff at the Ways to Work national office.
- Loans funded with Ways to Work capital.
Local Ways to Work Office
The local host agency administers the local Ways to Work loan program.
Key roles and responsibilities:
- Administers the program using the national guidelines
- Responds to inquiries
- Distributes applications
- Conducts applicant interviews
- Obtains and verifies application documents
- Provides financial literacy training to applicants
- Develops and maintains a community-based, volunteer loan committee, which approves or denies credit requests
- Sends written notifications of approval or denial to applicants
- Coordinates loan closing and servicing efforts with national headquarters
- Provides ongoing client support and case management during the loan repayment period
- Establishes and maintains a loss reserve
Please contact the WtW Business Development Group toll free at (866) 252-7171 or bizdevelopment@waystowork.org to learn more about joining Ways to Work and the Alliance for Children and Families.
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