Catalyst Development Company
Two-and-a-half years ago, CIS was contemplating what it might be like to be the first non-profit in Kalamazoo to be homeless. We wondered if we would need to become a “mobile unit”, having staff work from their cars and homes. National City’s Arcadia Building had been sold and its new east coast owner could not see the same benefit in donating space to CIS. Despite the old saying that beggars can’t be choosers, we were both! We were begging for donated space and we wanted it to be in the City, preferably downtown Kalamazoo and something that would give us visibility with the general public---just prime location, downtown storefront at no cost! A few landlords took our initial calls but when they learned we were looking for a 100% “discount”, there didn’t appear to be much left to talk about.
Catalyst Development not only responded to our plight, they offered to completely renovate a downtown building and tailor it to our specific needs. Providing CIS with its own building through a three-year rent-free lease has made a significant contribution to our visibility and has allowed our other resources to be devoted to directly addressing student needs---a value of well over $200,000 over the three years. As if that wasn’t enough, Catalyst provided an incredible “office-warming” gift by donating the sign on the outside of the building.
Because of Catalyst’s willingness to take us on, what could have been a major set-back, turned into an opportunity to move CIS several steps ahead.
Congratulations, Catalyst Development Company, on your 2008 Champ Award!