Martial Arts commentators often talk about how martial arts of past days were less commercial, with costs not being a significant factor for students. Today’s modern martial arts practice is criticized for its commercial and money making qualities, with some for-profit schools being labeled McDojos or Black Belt Factories, due to the large number of person attending, paying for lessons, and receiving Black Belts.
Some dojos/dojangs/kwoons are true and true for-profit activities, and in which, the tuition tends to be high. Other dojos/dojangs/kwoons that are intended to be “clubs”, and not be for-profit activities, secure space at YMCAs and community centers, and therefore charge much less. But, even these schools have to pay rent, have insurance, charge students, etc., and must meet a financial break even point to continue to exist.
Non commercial martial arts clubs, however, do exist! Many martial arts activity has been started, and continues as University and College Martial Arts Clubs.
University clubs are often run by student and Black Belt volunteers, who donate their time and experience. The lessons tend to be either free, or at very low cost. These clubs generally are not making a profit, with minimal dues/fees for the student. The student’s biggest cost tends to be their uniform and equipment. Any dues collected tend to go to buy equipment or fund tournaments for the club. These activities are for the love of the Martial Art.
As Economists like to point out, nothing is free. Everything is paid for by somebody. In the case of college Martial Arts clubs, the university gyms and facilities are often used, with the cost of these buildings existing to the university with or without the club. Sporting and martial arts clubs fill the need to have legitimate uses of these facilities.
Students attending college often have to pay mandatory student activity fees, which are used to fund student activities, such as Martial Arts clubs. This funding is often used to help pay for tournaments, trips, space, and equipment, which helps keep the costs low for the students practicing their martial art.
Often university clubs hold fund raising activity which also help pay for their activities.
The college and university clubs, especially when they are recognized university Student Organization/Student Association clubs, have an additional non commercial advantage: No one person “owns” the club, though there is sometimes a Master Instructor. These types of clubs often have a constitution, by-laws, and a required student board of directors (President, Vice-President, and Treasurer) that help to run the club. These are the existing true martial arts clubs, with the members not only participating, but helping make these clubs run and be successful activities!