Boundary County Cultural Center

Organization is the key to creating a cultural center in Bonners Ferry. Such a facility is best suited for development and management by a nonprofit corporation. Given the unique nature of a cultural center, a new nonprofit exclusively focused on this one mission is recommended. 

    The nonprofit will need three main ingredients for success in fundraising:

1. Broad community support
2. A team of local volunteers
3. A professional business plan, including architectural renderings, capital improvement budget, operating budget and fundraising plan

    Boundary County residents have consistently demonstrated interest in public facilities that serve a broad range of users. In this context, it will be important to demonstrate that the cultural center will:

* Attract tourism dollars
* Provide jobs
* Enhance the vitality of Downtown Bonners Ferry
* Complement school programs in the arts
* Provide cultural opportunities for people of all ages
* Provide an auditorium for a wide range of community events
* Support continuing education

    The first step in the development process will be to create a taskforce of advocates to address basic organizational needs. The taskforce will expand public outreach to build awareness and enthusiasm for the center. Fundraising for a series of steps will be needed, the first of which is application for nonprofit 501(c)3 corporate status. This will cost between $500 and $1100, depending upon the degree of legal assistance requested. Once nonprofit status is attained, a more formal business plan should be completed. Without the plan, serious fundraising will be impossible.

    Major grantors exist for capital improvements. (See Appendix 6, Potential Resources for Development.) However, practically all of them require demonstrated local support, both from citizens and from government. It is therefore necessary to conduct ongoing local fundraising, with an emphasis on building partnerships with other organizations around the county. Volunteerism will be essential; all volunteer time should be tracked as inkind contributions.

    Cultural center advocates should solicit support and guidance from the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, service clubs, City, County and the County's economic development manager. Without such support, the program will be very difficult to accomplish.

    While a Downtown location is recommended, the junior high school auditorium building should not be ruled out as an alternative site. With a gymnasium, auditorium, and support facilities, the building has great potential to be adaptively reused as a cultural center. Upgrades to the structure, an elevator, and other improvements will be expensive. However, the cost may be lower than an entirely new building. Reuse of an existing building may be more attractive to citizens.