Page 29 - 2025 April Report

Grant Program Committee minutes (draft) (3)
7.
b. Executive Orders Impact
A memo regarding staff actions had been circulated. The grantees contacted to date reported that there is great uncertainty and concern about time and resources being used to set up contingency plans. They also expressed how much they appreciated that JSF had reached out to them.
The Committee expressed that this JSF action for the grantees is positive and desired. Hearing from funding partners stresses that they are being heard and are not alone. Bobby noted that this is different from the Foundation’s response to COVID-19 when grantees had very specific needs like laptops for students to be able to study remotely. However, concern was expressed regarding the exact language to be used. It was suggested that we refer to this as “Governmental/ Administration Actions” since it is deeper than just Executive Orders. The Foundation needs to be careful not to express this as political actions being taken by JSF. Along with the uncertainty for grantee organizations, there is uncertainty on how these actions might impact funding organizations going forward, particularly with regard to endowment taxing and restrictions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion activities.
This discussion was continued later in the meeting.
Grant applications
a. Bottom Line
Bobby introduced James Cosby, Executive Director; and Emily Broughton, Director of Development and External Relations. A proposal requesting $100,000 over two years with a 1:1 match had been circulated along with a report of a December 10, 2024 Zoom meeting, a January 14, 2025 site visit report, and a JSF summary of applicant financial information. Bottom Line is a new applicant to JSF.
Bottom Line is a program already well established in Boston, New York City and Chicago. Thanks to a MacKenzie Scott grant last year, they are now in the process of expanding the program into Dayton, Ohio. Unlike the other locations that have offices where students come for assistance, in Dayton they are going to the students in partner high schools. Bottom Line offers two programs which are aimed at college access and college success. The Access Program is for high school seniors. Students are identified in the spring of their junior year and participate in a pre-senior year summer program and through the senior year. The Success Program supports college students through graduation and even into the beginning of their careers.
This request is for support of the Access Program in Dayton. They expect to have 122 – 170 students in Dayton this fall. Their goal is to serve 600 students in the next two years. All eligible students reside in Ohio, live at approximately 200% of the poverty level, have a 2.5 or better unweighted GPA, and will be first-generation college students.
Bottom Line’s structure is for regional operations with national level support. Regions operate independently. Regional funding stays within the region. The national level includes a CEO, COO, and CFO. The MacKenzie Scott grant was at the national level to create new affiliate locations. National fundraising facilitates services like training for regional advisors and benefits like health insurance.
When asked about the impact of current federal government actions, James responded that there has been little impact directly on Bottom Line because it does not receive federal funding, however, there could be impact on their partner Title I schools. He noted that as colleges have to close some of their support offices, the Bottom Line support will become even more important to the students.
James and Emily were thanked and excused.
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