Private Funder Strategy

We want to work with a skilled volunteer to develop a Private Funder Strategy that helps Project Breaking Barriers pursue foundation and philanthropic funding in a focused, sustainable, and relationship-driven way.
Specifically, the volunteer will help us:

• Clarify our funding priorities and program focus areas, including career exposure, academic enrichment, leadership development, and workforce readiness for youth ages 13–20
• Define ideal private funder profiles (local, regional, and national foundations aligned with education, youth development, workforce pathways, and equity)
• Align our program language, outcomes, and impact metrics with funder priorities and grantmaking frameworks
• Create a funding pipeline and outreach strategy that prioritizes quality over quantity and avoids overextension
• Recommend best practices for funder stewardship, reporting, and renewal

The volunteer will support this work by reviewing our existing materials at a high level (program descriptions, outcomes, past funding efforts) and helping translate our work into language that resonates with private funders.

Given Taproot’s engagement structure, this work will be completed over several weeks, with the volunteer contributing 2–5 hours per week through strategy sessions, document review, and guidance. Our team will provide background materials, clarify goals, and offer timely feedback to ensure the project remains focused and productive.

The final deliverable will be a clear, actionable Private Funder Strategy that leadership and board members can immediately begin implementing to build stronger funder relationships and secure sustainable support for the young people we serve.

Project Breaking Barriers works to expand access, exposure, and opportunity for youth ages 13–20 by integrating career exploration, academic enrichment, leadership development, and workforce readiness, particularly for young people who face systemic barriers to opportunity.
This Private Funder Strategy project directly supports our mission by helping us secure sustainable philanthropic funding that allows our programs to grow with intention and quality. Foundations play a critical role in supporting innovative, equity-driven youth programming, and a clear strategy ensures we pursue the right funders with the right message at the right time.
By contributing their expertise, the volunteer will help us:
• Build a focused pipeline of aligned private funders who care about youth development, education, and equity
• Secure resources that support academic enrichment activities, curriculum development, career exposure experiences, and program expansion
• Strengthen our ability to measure, articulate, and communicate impact to funders and stakeholders
• Reduce staff time spent on unfocused grant searches, allowing our team to concentrate more fully on serving youth
The outcomes of this project will directly affect the young people we serve. Increased philanthropic support means more consistent programming, deeper learning experiences, and expanded access to opportunities that help students build confidence, skills, and a clearer sense of their future.
For volunteers, this project offers a chance to create lasting, multiplier impact. Their strategic guidance will not only help fund individual grants, it will shape how Project Breaking Barriers builds long-term relationships with funders, ensuring more young people benefit from meaningful academic and career pathways for years to come.

Project Breaking Barriers is well-prepared to be a strong and collaborative pro bono partner for this Private Funder Strategy project. Organizational leadership and our board are aligned on the importance of building a focused, relationship-driven approach to foundation and philanthropic funding, and there is clear internal commitment to implementing the outcomes of this work.
To prepare for this project, we have:
• Clarified our program model, core offerings, and outcomes, including career exposure, academic enrichment, leadership development, and workforce readiness for youth ages 13–20
• Identified our priority funding needs and growth goals, which will guide funder targeting and outreach
• Gathered foundational materials (program descriptions, outcomes, budgets at a high level, and impact narratives) to support strategic planning
• Designated a single project lead to coordinate communication, share materials, and provide timely feedback
During the engagement, we will support the volunteer by:
• Providing clear background on our mission, programs, and current funding landscape
• Being transparent about organizational capacity so recommendations are realistic and implementable
• Maintaining consistent communication and timely decision-making to respect the volunteer’s 2–5 hour/week commitment
• Welcoming strategic guidance and best practices from the volunteer’s experience
Implementation is a priority. Once completed, the Private Funder Strategy will be:
• Used by leadership and board members to prioritize and pursue aligned foundations
• Integrated into our annual planning and fundraising calendar
• Applied to relationship-building, proposal development, reporting, and renewal efforts
• Used as a living framework that evolves as our organization grows
We value clarity, collaboration, and follow-through. By coming prepared, staying engaged, and committing to execution, we aim to ensure this project results in meaningful, long-term impact for both the volunteer and the young people we serve.