The hostel would be owned by a nonprofit organization, overseen by an all-volunteer board of directors of at least five people. There would be at least one paid staff person, who would oversee operations, but as much as possible, the hostel would be staffed and supported by volunteers from the community, creating local ownership in the hostel and supporting the hostels mission to provide an affordable, welcoming, safe, comfortable space for travelers and local community members seeking to meet people from different backgrounds, to make friends, to celebrate Louisville and other parts of Kentucky, to develop an expanded appreciation for different places and to be continually inspired to travel to new places. 

A partnership would be formed with a public university to have students studying business, marketing, hospitality and other related subjects work at and on behalf of the hostel, in return for class credit and practical experience for their résumés.

All hostel volunteers would be interviewed, background-checked, trained, supervised and frequently evaluated.

Policies and procedures would be in writing and all volunteers and paid staff would be required to follow such, on penalty of dismissal.

All volunteers would be asked to pay a small yearly membership fee to cover the costs associated with training and supporting them.

Memberships would be encouraged for local community members - there would be a small yearly fee for membership. Members would receive early notice about events and first dibs on RSVPs for such and a discount on events with an admission fee. 

Some events would have a small admission fee; some events would be free but donations would be asked for.

The hostel would generate income through the rental to visitors of beds, linens, and lockers, and, perhaps, rental of a meeting room if it has such. It would also generate income from cash donations and event fees (see above). The hostel would also close as a regular hostel each year for the week of the Kentucky Derby, when it would offer accommodations at Derby-level prices and be staffed entirely by volunteers, with the goal being to raise at least $20,000 after expenses.

The goal would be for the hostel to have an average occupancy rates of at least 55% yearly.