HUD 52766 Neighborhood Networks Sample Business Plan

SAMPLE BUSINESS PLAN
FOR APPLICANTS OF THE
ROSS NEIGHBORHOOD
NETWORKS FUNDING CATEGORY

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average six hours per response. This includes the time for collecting, reviewing, and
reporting the data. The information will be used for the ROSS grant. Response to this request for information is required in order to receive the benefits to be
derived. This agency may not collect this information, and you are not required to complete this form unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
A good business plan is one of the best ways developers of Neighborhood Networks Computer Technology Centers can ensure success. It is more than just a
marketing tool; its fleshes out the mission and structure of the center. This plan is the first step in identifying the purpose, goals and objectives of the center. It is
a tool that allows Neighborhood Network planners to think through their ideas, solidify their intentions and objectives, and work efficiently with a plan towards
specific goals. Fewer errors are made because actions will be based upon research and analysis.
There is no single best format for a business plan. This one incorporates items and concepts from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Business Plan,
which has been used successfully by thousands of small businesses.
KEY POINTS WHEN DEVELOPING THIS PLAN:
The objective of this sample Neighborhood Network Business Plan is to provide guidance to those who are developing the computer learning centers so they may
plan for sustainability beyond the 3-year term of the grant. It also provides a framework and means for evaluating results, best practices, and successful
operations.
Individual center planners may find that this format needs to be modified to suit the needs of the center, PHA, and residents. This plan serves as only the
minimum information needed. Your narrative will act as a supplement to this business plan. To begin your business plan, some good rules of thumb to follow
when preparing the plan are:
1) Plan from the start to be self sufficient. Many centers, from the beginning, will rely on the HUD grant as well as the minimum 25% match requirement.
The goal should be to progress from substantial reliance on federal grants and to self sustaining status within three years. HUD strongly encourages all centers to
incorporate this goal into their NN Business Plan. The Business Plan is a road map to follow with goals and action steps to guide decision making. It also
provides a way to communicate the center’s operations, goals, and philosophy to personnel, residents, community partners, foundations, and other financial and
business contacts.
2) Are the residents involved in the planning, implementation, and maintenance of the computer learning center?
Resident involvement and “ownership” of the process is a necessity and key to the center’s success. All plans should include a section describing resident
involvement either as designers or operators as well as customers.

1

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

3) Evaluate the successes. All plans should include how the center will record their results and successes. Please see the NOFA’s Rating Factor 5 for guidance.
Evaluating success can also be very useful in attracting other potential funding resources and partners. NOTE: Where significant federal funds are involved, a
methodology to measure results and successes is required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993.
4) Access to the Internet: HUD encourages all NN Computer Technology Centers to have at least one computer with Internet capability. The Internet can be
used as a tool to connect with services, information, and people as well as the opportunity for the “world” to connect with the center. It can also be used to market
the successes of your program. Monthly charges for an Internet account for the center (normally $19.95/month per account) are an approvable expense.
5) Continue to build local partnerships. Local partners are a necessity in sustaining the NN Computer Technology Center. It is important to include in the
Business Plan ways for the center to continue to build local partners.
7) Remain sensitive to possible federal/national partnerships. There are numerous benefits in combining efforts with other programs both on the local and
national levels. Collective efforts will gain increasing national recognition and thereby help in obtaining self-sufficiency. It is important to include in the plan
ways for the center to continue to build federal/national partnerships.

2

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

Our Neighborhood Networks (NN) Business Plan
PHA/Nonprofit Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Name/Role: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Fax Number: ______________________________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER
I. General Computer Learning Center Description: Description of the computer learning center’s purpose and its intended customers/clients.
Mission:
Intended Clients:
II. Please identify other PHA locations involved in this proposal, if any.
Name:_________________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
ContactPerson:__________________________________________________________________
Phone:_______________________________ Email:______________________________
Fax:_________________________________
III. Focus of Computer Learning Center (Please check all that apply)
__________ Job Skills Training/Employment
__________ Introduction to/Familiarization with Computers
__________ Internet Access and Access to Local Services
__________ Basic Adult Education, Literacy, ESL, GED

3

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

__________ Youth Education
__________ Senior Services
__________ Continuing Education
__________ Recreation
__________ Other (please describe)
IV. Projects work best when everyone benefits (Win-Win). It is helpful to think in terms of benefits for all players. Please indicate how your center will result in:
Benefits to the PHA (i.e lower maintenance costs, less vandalism, lower vacancy rate)
Benefits to the Residents (i.e. employability, access to information & services, fellowship, sense of community)
Benefits to the Local Community and Employers (i.e safer neighborhoods, positive environment, skilled employees, large market share
access/potential customers)
PHA DATA AND DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Number of Conventional Family Public Housing Units
Total Number of Residents:__________
Resident Overview:
Number of Adults 21 - 61 years old: __________
Number of Adults 62 and older: __________
Number of Children 0 - 6 years old: __________
Number of Children 7 - 13 years old: __________
Number of Children 14 - 17 years old: __________
Number of Young Adults 18 - 20 years old: __________
Please provide the following information on the residents. The % refers to the % of the total number of residents, unless otherwise specified.
ESL (English as Second Language) Needs? % _________ Yes ______ No
Single Parent Household % __________ Female __________ Male
Disabled Residents % ___________Physical __________Learning __________Other
Public Assistance Recipients %__________
OBJECTIVES: (Please check and insert appropriate number to all objectives that apply. THIS LIST IS NEITHER TOTALLY MANDATORY NOR
TOTALLY INCLUSIVE)
_______

Providing _______ residents with access to technology and the Internet per year.

4

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

__________

Providing an opportunity for ______ residents to be involved in the Planning, Implementation, and Daily Maintenance of the Center
on a yearly basis.

__________

Reducing Welfare Dependency by enabling at least 51% of the adult residents on welfare to participate in the program to get off
welfare into decently paying jobs within _______ years, by _______ (date). This is in conjunction with other/similar Welfare to
Work Programs.

__________

Expanding Community Based Job Training to at least

__________

Provide opportunities to telecommute for

__________

Teaching Basic Skills and Increasing Adult Education Level, including Literacy, ESL, GED courses, by making educational programs
available to ______ adult residents who participate in the program each year.

__________

Improving Academic Achievement of School Aged Children by attempting to raise and maintain the educational level on standardized
test of _____ children who participate in the program, to the appropriate grade level each year.

__________

Building Partnerships in the Local Community by creating useful ongoing linkages with at least _____ other community groups each
year.

__________

Creating a self-sustaining computer learning center by the _____ year of operation.

__________

Other Objectives: (Please specify below):

_____

____

of the adult residents who participate in the program each year.

residents each year.

5

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

TIME LINE FOR PROPOSED CENTER: Please indicate proposed beginning and end dates for the following items that apply to your center. Further details
are requested below the timeline.
START DATE

COMPLETION DATE

Retrofitting or Construction of Facility
Equipment (Hardware, software, etc.)
Procurement and Testing
Staffing of Center (trained and on board)
Grand Opening of Center
Third Party/Voluntary Organizations Participation
and Funding for initial set-up and ongoing
programs/costs.
Training Program and Classes Beginning
Other Milestones: (Please list in this box)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Retrofitting or Construction of Facility (Including Space Accessibility/Security/Monitoring)
(Please include what will be done and a sketch of the facility. Note if there is any retrofitting services or costs which will be donated and by whom.)

Equipment (hardware, software, etc.) Procurement/Testing
(Please indicate how many computers, what type of computers and software will be included based on resident surveys, and other equipment that will be used in
the center such as printers, etc.)
Computers:

Distance learning equipment:

Printers:

Scanners & Other Equipment:

6

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

DETAIL ON TIMELINE ACTIVITIES (continued)
Staffing of Center/Training Program and Classes Offered (Weekly Schedule for the Center)
(Please indicate how the computer learning center will be staffed, include hours per week.)
Staffing:
Project Coordinator:
Resident Paid Staff:
Other Paid Staff:
Resident or Other Volunteers:
Outside Agencies Providing Instructions:
Weekly Schedule for the Center (including days/hours open, classes, and open lab/free time on the computers.
Classes/Training Programs to be Offered:
Partnerships: Third Party/Voluntary Organization Funding and Participation
(Please list those partners involved in the initial set-up and what they brought to the center. Also indicate targeted partners or other partners that will be assisting
in the daily operation of the center.)

7

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

INITIAL SET-UP AND FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS
FINANCIAL PLAN/WBUDGET: SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS
Time period: From __________ to __________
SOURCES

USES
Computer Hardware
(Please List):

Private
Donations

$

Grants
(Please note
grant sources
below)
$

PHA funds

$

In-kind
Donations/
Services

HUD ROSS Funds

$

$

Other
(Please Identify)
TOTALS
$

$
0.00
0.00
0.00

Other Equipment

0.00
0.00

Computer Software
(All programs will be
site-licensed and run
through the server.)
Staffing
Maintenance,
Insurance,
Miscellaneous
Retrofitting/
Security
Other

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
0.00

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

0.00

0.00

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

0.00
$
GRAND TOTAL
FOR INITIAL
SET-UP

TOTALS

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

$

0.00

0.00

Grant Sources and Donations Listed Below (if any)

8

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

YEAR 2 OF OPERATIONS
FINANCIAL PLAN/WBUDGET: SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS
Time period: From __________ to __________
SOURCES

USES
Computer Hardware
(Please List):

Private
Donations

$

Grants
(Please note
grant sources
below)
$

PHA funds

$

In-kind
Donations/
Services

HUD ROSS Funds

$

$

Other
(Please Identify)
TOTALS
$

$
0.00
0.00
0.00

Other Equipment

0.00
0.00

Computer Software
(All programs will be
site-licensed and run
through the server.)
Staffing
Maintenance,
Insurance,
Miscellaneous
Retrofitting/
Security
Other

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
0.00

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

0.00
0.00

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

0.00
$
GRAND TOTAL
FOR SECOND
YEAR OF
OPERATION

TOTALS

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

$

0.00

0.00

Grant Sources and Donations Listed Below (if any)

9

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)

OMB Approval No. 2577-0229
Expiration Date: 02/28/2007

YEAR 3 OF OPERATIONS
FINANCIAL PLAN/WBUDGET: SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS
Time period: From __________ to __________
SOURCES

USES
Computer Hardware
(Please List):

Private
Donations

$

Grants
(Please note
grant sources
below)
$

PHA funds

$

In-kind
Donations/
Services

HUD ROSS Funds

$

$

Other
(Please Identify)
TOTALS
$

$
0.00
0.00
0.00

Other Equipment

0.00
0.00

Computer Software
(All programs will be
site-licensed and run
through the server.)
Staffing
Maintenance,
Insurance,
Miscellaneous
Retrofitting/
Security
Other

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
0.00

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

0.00
0.00

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

TOTALS

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

$

0.00

0.00
$
GRAND TOTAL
FOR THIRD
YEAR OF
OPERATION
$
0.00
0.00

Grant Sources and Donations Listed Below (if any)

10

form HUD-52766 (3/2004)