Friendship Ventures has 40 year history… providing short-term, direct care services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and often in combination with other disabilities such as autism, epilepsy, brain injury, hearing and visual impairments, diabetes, cerebral palsy, scoliosis and other physical disabilities, attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD) and any one of an array of syndromes (Down, Prader Willi, Williams).

Operating three great centers… Camp Friendship is located on 115 acres of natural woodland on the shores of Clearwater Lake near Annandale, Minnesota; Eden Wood Center is nestled among 20 acres in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and surrounded by woods, wetlands and Birch Island Lake; Camp New Hope is located on the shores of Glacier Lake Near McGregor, MN in the Duluth area.

Core programs… summer and winter resident camps, respite care and the  support of escorted travel opportunities with referrals to Ventures Travel LLC to meet the needs of 3,000 individuals, families and care providers from 39 different states.

Annual operating budget… $3,000,000 produces $4,000,000 in services due to extensive use of volunteers and in-kind donations of materials and equipment.

More money for direct care services… only 8% of funds are spent on fund raising activities and less than half that amount on administration. We are very careful with the money people give us, and as a registered charity in Minnesota we have full and open disclosure of finances.

Demand exceeds capacity…there is a waiting list because enrollment is limited by the number of people who are willing to work and volunteer in our programs and by limitations in our facilities.

When a family cannot afford services… Friendship Ventures has always helped families, providing over $650,000 in scholarships each year. Still, limited scholarship funds prevent many people from enjoying the benefits of our programs.

Friendship Ventures staff & volunteers… 250 part time and seasonal employees are supported by over 1,200 volunteers that give 75,000 hours of services.

When our friends need extra attention… we offer:  a high staff-to-participant ratio.  Ratios vary according to the needs of our participants.  Our programs vary according to the needs of our participants.  We offer one to one care when needed.

Source of funds not what you would expect…we are NOT publicly funded through the government, nor do we receive direct support from the large United Ways. Private donations and other earned income are our primarily sources of revenue.