Funding Strategy: Turning Bullying into Belonging

We want to partner with a skilled volunteer to build a donor prospecting and funding development system that will give our nonprofit school a sustainable path forward. Our biggest gap right now is not having access to a donor wealth search tool or a clear way to identify potential supporters who align with our mission.

With your expertise, we hope to:
-Research and identify 25–50 potential donors, foundations, or corporate partners aligned with our cause.
-Build prospect profiles with giving history, capacity, and interests.
-Create a donor pipeline system (spreadsheet or simple CRM-ready template) to track outreach and cultivation.
-Receive guidance on free/low-cost tools we can continue using for prospect research after the project ends.
-Develop a funding roadmap that prioritizes high-potential leads and outlines clear next steps for outreach.

This project will allow us to move from reactive fundraising to a proactive, strategic approach—helping us finish construction, launch our programs, and ultimately provide children with the safe, joyful, and transformative education they deserve.

Not long ago, an 8-year-old boy walked into our school space. He was quiet at first, shuffling his feet, eyes cast down. When we asked him gently about school, he finally whispered:

"I don’t like going to school… I’m bullied every day."

His words carried the weight of so many children’s silent struggles—feeling unsafe, unseen, and alone in a place that should be nurturing them. His story is not unique; too many children in our community wake up each morning dreading the classroom instead of looking forward to it.

At Drake Academy of Excellence, we are determined to change that. Our school model blends academics with Positive Education, teaching empathy, resilience, and kindness alongside reading and math. Here, children will not only learn but also feel safe, valued, and empowered to flourish.

This project—and the support of volunteers like you—directly connects to stories like his. By helping us secure funding, you are helping us open our doors to children who desperately need a place where bullying is replaced with belonging, and fear is replaced with joy. Drake Academy of Excellence was founded to bring a new model of education to children—one that blends rigorous academics with Positive Education, mental health support, and character development. Our mission is to create a place where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to flourish—not just as a student, but as a human being.

For us to open our doors and sustain this vision, we must secure the resources to finish construction, build classrooms, and launch programs. That is why this project is so vital. By helping us identify the right donors and funding partners, you will be fueling scholarships for children, books for our library, technology for hands-on learning, and wellness programs that teach resilience and joy.

In short, your work will not just produce a list of names—it will unlock opportunities for children who might otherwise feel unseen in traditional schools. You will directly empower us to change the trajectory of young lives in our community, ensuring that every child who walks through our doors has the chance to believe, belong, and become.

We are deeply committed to making this project a success and have already taken several steps to prepare. Our leadership team and Inspired Board are fully aligned on the urgent need for donor prospect research, and we are ready to dedicate time each week to collaborate with our volunteer. We have gathered background materials—including past donor lists, campaign summaries, and grant applications—so the volunteer can immediately access the context needed to hit the ground running.

To ensure smooth progress, we will designate a point of contact (our Co-Founder) who will meet regularly with the volunteer, provide quick feedback, and implement recommendations in real time. We also have systems in place to act on the outcomes: a donor stewardship plan, a CRM spreadsheet to track prospects, and a clear fundraising campaign timeline.

Most importantly, we are committed to using the deliverables beyond this project. The donor profiles, templates, and roadmap will be integrated into our ongoing fundraising strategy and shared with our board members to guide outreach. By showing up consistently, staying organized, and acting on your expertise, we will make sure your time and talents create lasting impact for our school and the children we serve.