Organization
Founded in Colorado in 1982, Elevate USA’s mission is to transform cities by building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth. Elevate’s faith-based programs use a unique, relationship-based approach where full-time staff who represent the community they serve, act as teachers, mentors and life coaches, build relationships with students, and are available in their lives 24/7/365. The agency begins working with youth in second grade and continues through graduation. The average graduation rate in urban schools across the United States hovers around the 58% mark. For students who participate in Elevate programs for three years or more, the graduation rate improves to 90%. 86% of these graduates go on to college, technical training or the military.
Partnership
The agency was invited to bring their successful model to the St. Louis region, specifically in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Over the next two years, the agency’s primary focus will be developing a local donor base. The Brown Sisters provided a challenge grant, with a two-fold purpose: 1) to demonstrate the support and belief of a local funder, and 2) to provide an incentive to donors by providing a 20:1 challenge grant. The grant will be a critical part of helping new advisory board members in a new market be successful in raising the needed funds to launch this important program.