How to Find Grants for Big Brother Big Sister Nonprofits: A Practical Guide

Quick Stats

Approximately 1 in 3 youth in America will grow up without a mentor, heightening the importance of funding for Big Brother Big Sister initiatives.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America serves over 120,000 children each year, highlighting the scale of support needed.

Nationally, over $600 million is available annually from grants supporting youth mentorship programs.

Grant Types

• Foundational Grants: Funding from private foundations specifically dedicated to youth mentoring programs.
• Government Grants: Federal and state funding opportunities geared towards community development and youth services.
• Corporate Grants: Sponsorships from businesses that have charitable giving programs focusing on mentorship and community support.
• Local Community Grants: Smaller grants available from community organizations and local businesses wanting to improve their neighborhoods.

Finding Grants

1. Step 1: Identify Your Funding Needs: Assess the programs that require funding, whether it's for mentorship training, activities, or outreach.
2. Step 2: Create a List of Potential Grantors: Use databases, grant directories, and resources like your local community foundation.
3. Step 3: Utilize Zeffy's AI Grant Research Tool: This free tool offers unlimited searches and AI-powered matching for the most suitable grants for your organization.
4. Step 4: Explore Complementary Sources: Consider platforms like GrantStation and Foundation Center, though be mindful of their subscription fees and limited searches compared to Zeffy's offerings.
5. Step 5: Review and Apply: Carefully read through the grant requirements and focus on tailoring your application to emphasize your impact in youth mentorship.

Expert Tips

• Start with a strong narrative: Share compelling stories about your Big Brothers Big Sisters matches and the transformations witnessed.
• Focus on partnerships: Leverage relationships with local businesses and stakeholders who can advocate for your programs in grant applications.
• Highlight measurable impact: Use statistics and data to demonstrate the success rates of your mentorship programs.
• Engage your community: The broader you engage your community in your mission, the stronger your grant applications will be.
• Keep track of deadlines: Use calendars and reminders for grant application deadlines to stay organized.
• Tailor each application: Customizing each proposal based on grant priorities is essential for increasing your chances of receiving funding.
• Follow up: After submitting, reach out to grantors to express gratitude and openness for feedback, which strengthens future applications.

Next Steps

1. Start utilizing Zeffy's AI Grant Research Tool today to explore grant opportunities tailored specifically to your Big Brother Big Sister nonprofit's needs.
2. Don't forget to check out other resources like the National Mentoring Partnership and local community foundations to expand your funding search.