Music Lessons How can this nonprofit rock camp for girls keep rolling? The experts compare notes.

Misty McElroy happened upon her business idea by accident--itstarted out as a school project but snowballed into a businessventure. Called The Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls, theannual event aims to teach music to girls in a fun way. To date,McElroy has found some success--this year's camp accepted 25more campers than the previous year. And with workshops led bystars such as Erykah Badu's drummer, Gaye Lynn McKinney, andpunk rock band Sleater-Kinney, demand is skyrocketing. The onlyreal snag in the plan is financing.

Because she charges just $50 per camper, McElroy's Rock'n' Roll Camp, which was formed as a nonprofit (501c-3)corporation, needs a steady stream of capital to keep running.Other issues: securing the right facility to host the yearly campand finding a way to start a new after-school program. SaysMcElroy, 33, "It is a logistical nightmare to come into aspace and make it work for us." The first camp was held atPortland State University in Oregon; the second took place in aPortland ballroom.

We had a few experts weigh the situation, and here's whatthey had to say:

• Peggy Outon, founding executive director of the Bayer Centerfor Non-Profit Management at Robert Morris University inPittsburgh: "If you can attract people to your [board ofdirectors] who are well-respected and well-known in the community,they help open the door to funding sources." Outon alsosuggests trying to land contracts from the local Department ofHealth and Human Services because it will often pay for summercamps, especially those that focus on low-income kids.

"Build relationships with program officers at foundationsthat are interested in the development of girls, because it's aget-to-know-you kind of a game," says Outon. "There are1.5 million nonprofits in the United States, so [McElroy is] goinginto a very crowded and highly competitive field. She's got towork to distinguish [her nonprofit from others]." Forinstance, she could recruit high-profile celebrities to write aletter of support, perform a benefit concert, or donate some of theproceeds from their concerts.

• Ken Goldberg, assistant professor of management of theCenter for BIZ Experiencesship at National University in La Jolla,California: "An active and viable board of directors iscritical in maintaining sustainability and getting funding. As faras getting [a facility], the big issue is networking and [making]contacts in her local area." How could McElroy get a propertyfor free or an inexpensive lease? Goldberg suggests networking inthe Portland area and contacting local public agencies. Nearbycities and counties might have some land or office space to donate,and she may be able to sign a lease for a minimal investment.

"[McElroy also] needs to diversify her fundingsources," he says. That means approaching corporate donors,individual donors, government agencies and other potential sources.Goldberg also recommends checking out the Alliance forNonprofit Management, where she can conduct a geographicalsearch online and get answers to specific questions, such as how tofund the operational costs of a nonprofit.

What does McElroy think of all this advice? "I have prettymuch followed [Outon's advice]," she says. "I'vegotten some fairly big rockers to spread the word at theirconcerts, and I try to [have an information table at] as many bigshows here in Portland as I can," explains McElroy. "Andyes, the board is more crucial than I ever realized. It'sbecoming more active--we've already [had more meetings] in thepast two weeks than we've had in months."

She also plans to look into a government subsidy and contactpublic agencies. And how about that Web site? "[I know] itwill be very helpful," McElroy says. "I'll share [theidea] with the board at our next meeting."

Contact Sources

• Bayer Center for Non-Profit Management
  (412) 227-6814, http://www.rmu.edu
• National University Center for BIZ Experiencesship
  (858) 642-8478, www.nu.edu
• Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls
  (503) 504-4962, www.girlsrockcamp.org