If the Missoula Villages depends on Neighbors Helping Neighbors, why is there a monthly fee?

While we cannot exist without Village members helping each other, the organization also provides many benefits that cost funds.  We thus depend on donations, membership fees, grants and sponsor support.

Behind the scenes we have to manage the website, bear the cost of background checks to ensure that all of our members and volunteers are safe, provide funds for events and cover administrative costs and some staff time.  Many of the services are provided by professionals from Missoula Aging Services or our other partners, for which there are substantial costs - generally far more than the membership fee.  Some of the services provided by volunteers also have associated costs such as the mileage reimbuse we pay to drivers. Membership fees also help to cover the costs of Missoula Villages events and communications.

Some Missoula Villages services require a small fee.  This includes some events, dump or compost runs, and activities run by outside organizations.