The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) is Austin’s leading youth development agency, serving more than 12,000 children annually. BGCAA is partnered with various local organizations to provide 32 facility locations to guide children and teens toward a better future by fostering academic success, instilling character and good citizenship, all while promoting healthy lifestyles.

BGCAA sought to construct the first standalone club in Austin to provide a healthy, nurturing and home-like community for some of the most underprivileged youth throughout Travis and Bastrop counties.

Baker Tilly solution

The plans were drafted for a two story, 32,000 square foot facility within a severely distressed census tract in Austin, Texas. BGCAA worked with Baker Tilly’s New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) team to secure a financing package for the project, which included $12 million NMTC allocation to fund the construction of the facility for the not-for-profit organization.

Outcome

BGCAA made history with the design, construction and opening of their new home club, a first in 52 years for the organization, made possible with the $12 million of NMTC allocation. The new facility gives children access to things they wouldn’t otherwise have, including a recording studio, dance classes, robotic and coding lessons, various sports equipment and driving lessons.

“Working with the Baker Tilly team made the NMTC process seamless,” Misti Potter, CEO of BCGAA, stated. “They broke down a very complex process by educating all involved parties with a series of calls comprised of intense checks and balance procedures. Because of their expertise, we were able to close the NMTC in March of 2018, break ground on the property in April of 2018 and complete the construction in time for the grand opening ceremony. Thanks to Baker Tilly, BGCAA has a beautiful campus, serving hundreds of youth per day and we are in this building debt free.”

Boys & Girls Clubs around the country help kids to lead healthy lifestyles, graduate from high school and avoid risky behaviors, setting them up for a successful future. The new facility in Austin will allow the organization to provide high quality, impactful out-of-school programs to kids from low-income households in one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.

 “We enjoy working with projects that impact the community as BGCAA has, especially where our new Baker Tilly office calls home,” Mike Ross, President of Baker Tilly Capital and NMTC Austin leader, said. “This project will provide the necessary space to affect the lives of thousands of underprivileged children.”

The project will provide new jobs for local and regional community members and is in direct alignment with the City of Austin’s “Imagine Austin” comprehensive plan. You can learn more about the BGCAA by visiting their website here.

For more information on this topic, or to learn how Baker Tilly specialists can help, contact our team.