A Charity All Can Agree On
As one of the most legendary names in American charity for practically a hundred years, Boys Town was given National Historic Landmark status in 1985 at its original Omaha, Nebraska location. Started by Father Edward J. Flanagan to be a boys’ orphanage in 1917, its success has resulted in some thirteen others all over the United States. Two major Hollywood motion pictures about it were made, starring some of the industry’s best talent including Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. But what really put it on the philanthropic map was its original progessive approach to juvenile care that has become an example throughout the world.
As can be imagined, the good work of Boys Town hauled in much financial support as time goes by, star-studded attention with many a prominent personality from business, politics, and entertainment, from someone like real estate developer Isaac Toussie to United States Senator Richard Durbin. In fact, donor contributions make up almost one-fifth of all funding during any given twelve-month period, with program expenditures accounting for a full eighty-six percent of total expenses.
One of the most important endeavors undertaken by the charity consists of internal research in the form of the Boys Town National Research Institute (NRI), established to truthfully review the effectiveness of itself. Applying modern strategies, the NRI distinguishes Boys Town from fellow aid organizations in how it is primarily numbers-driven, pro-actively embracing technology to continue to be relevant in the new millenium.
And so Boys Town continues to be a pioneer, helping to reform modern family and child care. Vital to their approach has been a focus on combining the array of available services – from governmental and non-governmental sources – to provide a holistic solution capable of addressing current challenges. With a variety of projects in development right now, Boys Town expects to stay on top of changing needs.