Buckham West is a 501c3 private, nonprofit organization. It is membership based and operates with its own elected Board of Directors. Although it receives financial support from the City of Faribault, it also receives money from a variety of other sources.

Buckham West is often confused as being a city run department, because in many communities that is true. But even more confusing is that our location is attached to the Faribault Community Center! Although we share a wall and can be accessed via a common hallway, we also have our own entrance. But outside of having some financial assistance and a great relationship with the Buckham Center tenants, we are a separate agency.

Living in Minnesota, we all know that a snowstorm can shut down our normal activities in a hurry. But because every storm can look differently, this year we no longer automatically close our  Center when the schools close. You will need to listen to the local radio station, KDHL, for an announcement about our closing status. If you don’t hear anything on the radio, you can assume that we are open and the noon meal and all scheduled activities will go on as planned. You are always welcome to call Buckham West at 332-7357.

Any nonprofit organization may post a flyer advertising their fundraising or community interest event; however, it must be approved by a staff member before it can be posted. No flyers promoting businesses or items for sale are allowed.

Registration for programs that have no cost may be done over the phone. For those that have a fee, you must generally register and make payment before your name may be added to the sign up.

The Senior Center is open to all individuals and has an equal opportunity policy it adheres too, but the programs and services are geared towards older adults age 50 and older. Membership is encouraged, as the financial support it provides is important to the sustainability of the organization, but is not required for all programs and services. The membership dues are minimal and we even have a Scholarship Program now to help offset the cost. Any members-only events are clearly noted in any promotion given.

It is our intention to provide as many of our programs and services as possible at low or no cost. We break them down in the following ways:

• A program or service that has no expenses relating to it will be offered to participants at no charge.
• A program or service that has expenses tied to it (instructor fee, materials, etc.) will have a fee for participants based off of a minimum class size.
• For services offered by an independent contractor for a fee, we generally arrange that the money be paid directly to the contractor.
• Fundraisers will always have a fee attached to them, as a way to raise money for the organization.

Labeling an agency or individual a “partner” indicates a relationship that can happen in various ways. Those relationships can include things that we receive from others or something, whether it is space or volunteer time, which we provide. It may be:

• A presenter for a program that we are hosting
• An agency or business that provides a service for us
• A financial supporter
• A musical group that entertains for us
• Space we provide for another nonprofit or governmental agency as a meeting site or a drop off location