Byways Organization
Partners with University

Having a shared interest in developing economic opportunities for a byways region, an existing 501-c-4 organization promoting byways and a state university entered into a Memorandum of Agreement.

Who:

Arkansas Delta Byways, a nonprofit organization overseeing promotion and development of a 15-county byway region along the Mississippi River in Arkansas, and Arkansas State University share a belief in byway development as an economic catalyst and as an educational learning experience.

What:

The 501-c-4 byways organization and the university entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (PDF) that spells out the two entities’ shared goals and identifies the university as the administrative and fiscal agent for the byway organization.

When:

The Memorandum of Agreement began in 1999 with a three-year term . Byways representatives say the agreement was intended as a start-up initiative; however, the arrangement has worked so well that the term of the agreement has been extended to a third three-year term.

Where:

The Arkansas Delta Byways organization is housed at the Arkansas State University campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

How:

Through the Memorandum of Agreement, the university provides the byways organization with office space, support services and a part-time Executive Director. The byway organization provides $35,000 for clerical support and other operating costs. See MOA (PDF)

Funding Potential:

The funding potential of this type of agreement is negotiable by participating parties. A side benefit of this agreement being with an educational institution is that the positioning of the byway organization provides research and internship opportunities for students, as well as access to faculty expertise, often at no charge.

Why an MOA:

• Generates funding/support for a contracted length of time

• Creates a byway-community (educational institution) partnership

Resources:

• Arkansas Delta Byways