Hennepin funds two full-time staff to work the program. This is historical. It has been a true partnership. It has been the energy of all participants that has made this happen. The success of the HeroCard program depends on the involvement of individuals, local government, businesses, organizations, and foundations.
All participants stand to gain.
A program such as this can revitalize community business. The excess just sits there, which is absurd because we invented money to promote commerce, not get in the way of it. Of course, benefits to the community go far beyond quantifiable financial gains to business and volunteer hours attributed to organizations that foster voluntarism. Volunteers are trained and supported by organizations that have special skills in identifying community needs and training people to meet those needs. Volunteers receive the same intangible rewards that come with volunteer activities, and in addition, they receive discounts on all sorts of goods and services, such as a 15 percent discount on computer classes at Open University, a 20 percent discount on gifts at the Mall of America, a 25 percent discount on auto repair costs, and a 50 percent discount on bowling.