In a fiercely competitive funding landscape, More Than Bootstraps, a nonprofit dedicated to college access and success, faced the challenge of standing out to major foundations. By harnessing the power of skills-based volunteers through Catchafire, More Than Bootstraps built the internal capacity needed to secure a transformative $157,500 grant from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation (JSF). This partnership is a powerful testament to how strategic volunteer support empowers smaller, overlooked nonprofits to win large-scale funding, proving that investing in capacity is a direct investment in community impact.
The challenge: Competing for game-changing grants
More Than Bootstraps provides essential support for underrepresented students in New Jersey through an innovative near-peer model and wraparound services. Their work is vital, helping today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders. However, like many impactful nonprofits, competing for substantial, multi-year grants required a level of organizational polish and strategic readiness that was difficult to achieve with limited resources. In a competitive environment, even the most deserving organizations can be overlooked if they lack the capacity to develop compelling, data-driven proposals and showcase their mission effectively.
The solution: Building capacity to unlock opportunity
More Than Bootstraps leveraged Catchafire to connect with skills-based volunteers, strategically building their organizational strength without diverting funds from their core programs. By accessing pro bono expertise in areas like grant writing, marketing, and strategic planning, More Than Bootstraps was able to elevate its operations and prepare for high-stakes funding opportunities. This support equipped them with the professional tools and materials needed to articulate their vision and impact, making them a standout candidate for foundations like the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. This partnership was about more than just one project; it was about building a foundation for long-term sustainability and growth.
The results: A transformative partnership and a $157,500 grant
The capacity built through skills-based volunteering paid off tremendously. More Than Bootstraps was awarded a $157,500 grant from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, a three-year investment that will sustain and grow their innovative approach. The grant is a monumental win for More Than Bootstraps and the students they serve. It validates their powerful model and secures their ability to continue empowering their community. This success powerfully demonstrates the core message: in such a competitive landscape, skills-based volunteers make it possible for the overlooked nonprofits to win large grants. By strengthening their internal operations, More Than Bootstraps attracted a partner who recognized their immense potential.
This partnership is a shining example of how foundations can amplify their impact by providing resources that go beyond the grant. By equipping nonprofits with the tools to compete and win, we unlock a new level of community-focused change.
"We are thrilled to be recognized by and entering into a new partnership with the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. Support for underrepresented students has never been more important, and this award from JSF enables us to sustain and grow our innovative approach."
— Audrey Fisch, President, More Than Bootstraps
Conclusion: Empowering overlooked nonprofits to achieve their full potential
The success story of More Than Bootstraps and the Johnson Scholarship Foundation is a powerful call to action. It shows that when we provide nonprofits with access to professional talent and capacity building resources, we level the playing field and empower them to secure the major funding they need to thrive. For foundations looking to make a deeper, more sustainable impact, investing in a nonprofit's capacity is one of the most powerful catalysts for change. Together, we can help incredible organizations like More Than Bootstraps move from being overlooked to being undeniable champions of their communities.
|
$256,243 in value |
|
|
Diversified fundraising with: |
Told their story with: |
