David Montgomery

PIERRE — As a nonprofit organization with a large membership, the Pierre Boys & Girls Club needs to communicate and advertise its services effectively. In the 21st century, the best way to do that is with a Web site — but paying for a professional company to build a Web site is beyond the club’s resources.

The Boys & Girls Club, like many nonprofits in the Pierre area, has help from a local design and Web development company, Factor 360. The company’s eight local employees, led by owner Dennis Ryckman, have helped the Boys & Girls Club and other charities step in to the digital age.

David Montgomery | Capital Journal Factor 360 owner Dennis Ryckman works on his computer at his company’s office. Ryckman’s company has helped local charities with their Web development and maintenance at little or no cost. Advertisement

“I’ve always been civic-minded,” Ryckman said. “Being part of the community, it’s just part of something you do.”

Organizations often come to the company, Ryckman said, saying they want a Web page but lack the resources to develop and maintain it.

“We negotiate some sort of product or solution to their needs, and generally we try to help them out as best we can financially,” said Ryckman. “I don’t want to pat myself on the back — it’s not why I do it. I do it because it’s a good cause. I have a hard time saying no to organizations like that, that I believe in. It’s just part of being a good business.”

Boys & Girls Club executive director Norm Neilan said Factor 360’s help is invaluable for his club.

“We could not have done it on our own because we did not have the financial resources or someone on staff with the talent to design it for us,” Neilan said. “It’s been a great tool for us to create and continue to bring awareness to the Boys & Girls Club.”

Factor 360 works with more than a dozen nonprofit groups with various arrangements, Ryckman said, including the Capital Area United Way, Oahe Hockey, Post 8 Baseball, St. Mary’s Foundation, the state Humane Society, Pierre Players and OAHE Inc. The company donates thousands of dollars of in-kind services each year.

“Many business owners may not do that, but I feel it’s the right thing to do,” Ryckman said. “It does take away from our business and profitability, but that’s not why we do it.”