Hi Timothy,
- I think it is important because the LBS can offer help with bike
maintenance questions, have kids into the shop for a short lesson, and to purchase parts and tools at wholesale cost if you do not have an account with a distributor. The LBS may be able to offer volunteers for your bike collective's programs and events (e.g. if you want to do a bike-a-thon fundraiser). The LBS can also partner with you for mini-grants such as the Specialized grant (in-kind).
See #1
If you have program tshirts, I think it's nice to put the LBS's logo on
the shirts for some PR. The LBS can benefit if people in the community hear about their support of your program through newspaper articles, letters to the editor, and newsletters. If you have volunteer/partner appreciation nights where they can see the program's successes, this can help keep LBS's excited about your collective.
- We have in-kind support from our local Lowe's and a grocery stores, but
no memorandum of understanding - I bring donation letters in, and they have gotten to know our program well and can usually help out. We get food, simple green, basic tools and lumber from these places. I approach local businesses with an elevator speech about the program, a letter, and then I follow up with a thank you letter. When our website is up, I will approach these businesses and offer them a spot on our main page in return for a memorandum of understanding (monthly support).
I hope you find this helpful - please feel free to contact me with more questions.