V Program Implementation:
Overview: The Mariposa County Economic Development Corporation’s Economic Development Strategic Plan shall be implemented through a process of drafting one-year and five-year Action Plans. These plans should establish short-term quantifiable objectives for the organization along with resources required to accomplish these objectives within the identified time frames. These Action Plans, like the Strategic Plan, should be subjected to broad based public dialogue and drafted in an environment of community consensus.

The Action Plans shall identify resource needs for meeting plan objectives and sources of financial and other needed support. Organization staffing will be strictly dictated by program efforts and viewed as short-term (1 to 5 year) employment opportunities by applicants. Program continuity shall come from the long-term commitment of the EDC Board and General Membership.

Program Funding: There are five typical methods of financing non-profit organizations:

1. Membership Dues,
2. Donations,
3. Fee-for Service,
4. Foundation Grants, and
5. Government Grants.

A non-profit organization may incur indebtedness but repayment obligations necessitate using at least one of the five financing methods listed above. The financial resources of the Mariposa County EDC has a direct impact on the day-to-day activities of the organization. The financial resources direct the organization and activities of the EDC Board and dictates the need for paid staff. Sources of financial support can also have an impact on type, nature and level of efforts the organization can or must undertake.

Membership dues and private donations are the most flexible and least restrictive methods of financing Mariposa County EDC program efforts. The goals, objectives, and especially the programs/projects, generate membership dues and private donations time and resources. This financing strategy usually requires an active, long-term commitment by the Board of Directors. If this were the sole source of financing, there would be less of a need for paid staff.

Fee-for service is another flexible and less restrictive source of financing. The services can be provided by Board members, volunteers and/or paid staff.

Foundation and governmental grants are the least flexible and most restrictive sources of program financing. These funds are typically provided to support a specific program, service or activity. Due to the administrative and programmatic required for private and public grants, paid staff becomes a necessity, even though volunteer efforts may be utilized. Additionally, state and federal grant funds may require participation of Mariposa County government.

It is important that the Mariposa County EDC utilize public and private grant funds to conduct programs and activities that support the organizations goals. Priorities and program efforts must be established by local need and not by availability of funding. At the same time, EDC financial needs should not result in local program needs be given a low priority relative to state and federal priorities which are linked to financial resources. If the Mariposa County EDC is to remain an effective private-public sector partnership organization, it must maintain a balance between government and private sector financial support.

Organization Staffing: The programs, activities and projects of the Mariposa County EDC will dictate short and long-term staffing patterns. Complex fee-for-service projects will require a larger degree of specialized staff support. Otherwise, staffing requirements are less complex and may rely on volunteer or member contributed staff support.

Based upon the nature of the community, its resources and constraints, the Mariposa County EDC is organized as an “umbrella” rather than a “single-purpose” organization. This enables the Mariposa EDC to provide a broad range of services to the community but limits dependency on the policies and priorities of institutional funding sources. A multi-purpose EDC will provide for needed local flexibility while allowing the organization to participate in institutionally funded programs that meet locally identified needs of business in Mariposa County.