Facts & Media > NCHV and Eli Lilly Launch JAVA Vendor Loan Program
NCHV and Eli Lilly Launch JAVA Vendor Loan Program
Posted: 3/9/2005
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), through a grant from Eli Lilly and Company, is accepting applications for the Job Assistance for Veterans' Advancement (JAVA) Vendor Loan Program. The deadline for applications has been extended to April 15.
Loan amounts up to $25,000 will be awarded as seed money to four sites to establish vendor coffee cart or silk screening businesses.
The businesses will be staffed by Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) patients of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or veterans in programs at community-based service providers. Eligible organizations include community and faith-based organizations with an established reputation of working with veterans.
LOAN APPLICATION CRITERIA
Applications will be reviewed by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans for completeness and relevance to the following Site Selection Criteria:
- NCHV Member Organization
- Successful Federal funding grantee.
- Organization has been in business for at least 10 years.
- Productive working relationship with VA Medical Center.
- Provides services to veterans.
- Established multiple community partnerships.
- Stable financial organization.
- Access to high traffic location to ensure business success.
- Experienced management staff.
- Successful client employment program in place.
Applications are due in the NCHV national office by July 15, 2005.
Application Instructions
Format:
Present all information on single sided, 8.5" x 11" paper, with margins of 1.25". Use 12 point type, "Times New Roman" font, ten (10) pages maximum, excluding attachments. Two hard copies of the application packet must be provided. Only completed applications will be reviewed.
Section I - Name, Address, Mission
Section II - Program Information
- Name and address of employment program.
Section II - Critical Information
Provide a narrative description of the following:
Section III- Attachments
Please attach the following documents at the end of the application:
- Copies of Fiscal Year 2003 audit report.
- Organizational chart including board of directors.
- Current IRS Form 990.
Section IV - Board of Directors
This section must contain the signature of the president of the Board of Directors of the applying organization.
Mail complete application and attachments to:
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
Attn: Melanie Lillitston
333 1/2 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003-1148
For more information, contact Melanie Lilliston at 202-546-1969, or by email at nchv5@nchv.org.
Finding the Right Location
Selecting a good location for your cart is the most important decision you will make, it will also be your biggest challenge. This is your first crucial step and will impact your success and profits. As with most businesses, the key to success is location, location, and location.
Factors that will influence site location:
- High visibility. Your primary concerns are proximity to foot traffic, restrictions on cart size and location, restrictions on signage location, and the number of competing businesses in the immediate area.
- Accessibility. The ease with which your customers can access your cart is important as coffee is a convenience beverage.
- High traffic count of your demographically correct potential customers.
- Security and storage of your cart doing non-operational hours and access to where you will clean your cart.
- A location that facilitates compliance with local Board of Health, local building codes and municipal laws.
Locations to consider:
- Overall locations – areas around hospitals, universities, shopping malls and high-rise office buildings. In short, areas with a high volume of foot traffic.
- Specific locations to consider:
Federal Buildings State Office Buildings
VA Medical Centers Hospitals
VA Regional Offices Professional Office Parks
Churches Food Courts
Hotel Lobbies Health Spas
Airports Bus/Train Terminals
Book Stores Military Installations
Colleges, Proprietary Schools Large Retail Outlets (i.e. K-Mart)
"Tourists" Areas Historic Districts
Civic Arenas/Auditoriums Convention Centers
- Additional locations to consider:
- Downtown Business Districts and pedestrian zones with a high density of foot traffic.
- Older neighborhood business streets undergoing renovation.
- Unattached small buildings with easy access, high visibility and high morning foot traffic; e.g. a location between parking areas and office buildings.
- Corner shops in strip malls.
- Oversized stores that are not utilizing all available space.
- Major truck stops and service centers.
- Large grocery stores and department stores.
Some thoughts on locations:
- Frequently the owners of these sites will be very reasonable about the rates they charge since they see your product as a service. As an example, hospitals see the cart as "value added" for both the working staff and the visitors.
- Often the space you could use at many of these locations would otherwise not be utilized. This works in your favor.
- Office buildings and offices are ideal because many companies see your cart as an amenity or perk for their employees.
- College campus locations have an inherent high volume of foot traffic and a favorable "demographics" such as young adults.
Additional Resources:
- Property managers who specialize in commercial/retail sites may be familiar with available locations and owners who are open to negotiations.
- Location brokers may already have access to suitable locations such as the lobby space of office buildings, hospitals and "chain" stores.
back to top
|
