Why Youth Experience Sponsorship

OUR MISSION

YES – Youth Experience Sponsorship is dedicated to sponsoring enriching experiences for motivated, yet under-resourced youth in athletics, arts, education, and other aspirational endeavors. We empower young individuals by providing previously unavailable opportunities they might not otherwise have been able to experience due to financial limitations.  We believe life is about experiences, and relationships – YES directly impacts our future generations through sponsoring experiences, where relationships are inclined to develop.   What do most of remember, learn and grow from?  Experiences & Relationships!  Let’s create these experiences for our youth in our communities!!

WHY YES?

501(c)(3) Status: We are a certified non-profit organization, ensuring donations are tax-deductible.

Expert Legal Foundation: Established in conjunction with Adler & Colvin, a renowned non-profit firm in San Francisco that specializes in non-profit work.

High Efficiency: Hi % of donations go directly to youth experiences. We aim to maintain at least 90% of donations.

No Paid Employees: Our team consists entirely of contracted volunteers with expertise in specific areas and locations.

Transparent Operations: All board members are invested and unpaid, and we conduct annual audits to ensure accountability.

Privacy and Compliance: Our privacy policy, terms of use, and parental consent policies and procedures were crafted by top legal experts to protect all participants’ information and interests.

Immediate Impact: Donations are utilized within 12 months generally much quicker, ensuring timely support for youth.

OTHER DISTINGUISHING FACTORS

Rigorous Application Process: Youth must submit detailed applications explaining their choice of organization and potential impact on their lives.  This is not a handout.  Our youth must apply and apply themselves during the application process!

Thorough Due Diligence: We verify the eligibility via financial and residential documentation of all awardees.  We audit the credibility of organizations selected by children via web, social outreach, and direct interviews, ensuring funds are used effectively and responsibly.

Tailored Allocation: Ability to direct how donations are applied – by location (city, county, local jurisdiction), by category (sports, dance, arts, education, etc.), or specific activities (soccer, ballet, horseback riding, education, etc.).

OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

Zero Paid Employees: All efforts are volunteer driven, ensuring maximum resource allocation to youth programs.

Our Ambassadors are Contracted Volunteers: Ambassadors are interviewed, contracted and only selected and approved if they bring specialized knowledge in education, sports, arts, or other activities and/or based on their relationships within a geographical area or field of expertise.  Our Ambassadors are key players in their respective regions and/or fields of expertise.

Audits: Regular audits guarantee financial transparency and accountability.

Focused Giving: You have the flexibility to direct your donation based on your preferences and priorities.

If you have any questions, PLEASE reach out to me directly so we can chat, otherwise please enjoy our website and we are looking forward to having you as a member of our community.  

You can donate here: 

You can join our newsletter here: 

Thank you for your consideration, generosity, and interest in YES – Youth Experience Sponsorship.

-Michael Glasser, President & Founder

mike@youthexperiencesponsorship.org

DEFINING KEY YES SUPPORTERS – FOUR CATEGORIES

1. **Ambassadors**: Contracted volunteers with strong local or specialized networks who promote YES, raise awareness, and engage in fundraising and want to be a part of something GREAT.

2.  **Benefactors**: High-value, recurring donors who contribute annually or through long-term commitments and seek high efficiency impact.

3.  **One-Time Donors**: Individuals or organizations who make single donations, often tied to specific events or causes.

4.  **Advocates**: Individuals who understand YES, do not want to be officially tied to YES, are not ready and/or able to donate monies, but simply want to spread the good word about YES to their circles of influence.

Each category offers a unique way for individuals to engage with YES, and understanding these distinctions will help in identifying and referring the right people based on their capacity, interest, and level of involvement.

1.  **Ambassadors**

 **Definition**: **Ambassadors** are contracted volunteers who represent YES within their communities and/or areas of expertise, promoting the organization’s mission and engaging in fundraising and outreach efforts. Spreading the good word!!!

**Profile**:

     – Often have **strong local networks** in fields such as education, arts, sports, or other specialized areas.

     – Enthusiastic about **youth development** and committed to promoting YES’s goals through **personal connections** initially, **social media**, and **public events** in the future.

**What to Look For**:

     – **Active community members** with **leadership skills** that have access to youth organizations, schools, sports, clubs, or any other experience generating activities.

     – **Influential figures** in education, athletics, or the arts who are comfortable with networking and fundraising.

     – Individuals who can **lead awareness campaigns** and execute fundraising strategies with a longer-term commitment to YES.

**Educational Tip**: Emphasize to individuals that Ambassadors will have **specialized knowledge** or **relationships in their communities and/or organizations** that enable them to expand YES’s reach effectively. This can be geographically based (e.g., Terra Linda, San Rafael, Petaluma, Marinwood, etc.) or Specialty/Community based (e.g., Ballet, Baseball, Martial Arts, Drama, etc.) and/or Domain based (e.g. Education, Arts, Real Estate, Finance, Mentoring, College Preparation, Health, etc.)

2. **Benefactors (High Annual Contributors) **

**Definition**: **Benefactors** are individuals or organizations who contribute significant financial resources to YES on a recurring basis, typically at higher donation levels (e.g., annually or through sustained pledges).

 **Profile**:

     – Often **wealthy individuals**, **corporations**, or **philanthropic foundations** looking to make an impact in youth development.

     – Interested in **transparency**, **tax deductions**, and ensuring their contributions make a direct, immediate, and lasting impact.

     – Likely to value tailored opportunities to direct their donations (e.g., by location or specific activity).

    – Value high **efficiency** donations – we aim to allocate 90% of all donations directly to our youth experiences

**What to Look For**:

     – Individuals who are already **philanthropically active**, potentially in related fields such as education, arts, athletics, youth development, or any other endeavors.

     – People looking for **tax-deductible contributions** through 501(c)(3) organizations.

     – People who are already donating a significant amount of money but feel disconnected and/or are concerned about the efficiency of how their donations are being allocated. YES has zero paid employees, so a high percentage of donations go directly to youth experiences (goal is 90%).

     – **Companies or organizations** with corporate social responsibility programs, particularly those with an interest in supporting underprivileged youth.

**Educational Tip**: Focus on identifying **wealthy individuals or organizations** who want to make a recurring, impactful contribution. Stress the elevated level of transparency, efficiency, and tailored donation options YES offers with the opportunity to be a PART of YES, or simply a SUPPORTER of YES, or a COMBINATION of both. Influencing and directing a new, young organization enables individuals to make MAJOR IMPACTS on our youth in our community IMMEDIATELY.

3. **One-Time Donors**

**Definition**: **One-Time Donors** are individuals or organizations who make a single contribution to YES, typically for year-end tax deductions, specific events, campaigns, causes, or simply because they want to and can at the time.

**Profile**:

     – May not have the capacity for long-term engagement but still **believe in the mission** and are willing to support YES when opportunities arise.

     – Typically looking for a **quick and impactful way to contribute**, perhaps in response to a personal connection, a specific campaign, or fundraising event.

     – Often prefer **immediate, tangible results**, like funding a specific youth experience or project.

 **What to Look For**:

     – Individuals who may not have **ongoing financial capacity** for larger, sustained donations but are **willing to give occasionally**.

     – **Event attendees** or **social media followers** motivated by a particular YES success story, project, cause, or emotional connection.

     – People who are **new to philanthropy** or want to make an **impactful one-time donation** without the expectation of continued involvement.

    – People who want to see **tangible, personalized outcomes** from their involvement in specific projects

**Educational Tip**: Seek out people during inspirational moments during **specific success stories, campaigns, or events** that are looking for a **one-time opportunity** to contribute. Highlight the **ease of donation** through YES’s website and ACH links. Please note:  One-Time Donors may become recurring donors if they have a positive experience. So, it is important to **cultivate relationships** even with single donors, as they might transition to **Benefactors** over time

4.  **Advocates**

 **Definition**: **Advocates** are individuals who understand YES, do not want to be officially tied to YES, are not ready and/or able to donate monies, but simply want to spread the good word about YES to their circles of influence.

**Profile**:

     – Often have **young kids** and/or are **new to the community**. An individual or family might be getting settled financially but have a philanthropic desire to help and/or be involved in the development of their community.

     – Enthusiastic about **youth development** and/or **education** and/or **athletics** and committed to growing their **personal connections** in our community.

**What to Look For**:

     – **Community members** with kids involved in youth organizations, schools, sports, clubs, or any other activity. They often might be pushing a stroller!

    – Individuals who are charismatic.

    – Individuals you simply like or see as a mentor/mentee

**Educational Tip**: Emphasize to individuals that an Advocate is a low-level commitment. They might be saying to themselves, “I know I want to be involved in helping the community, but my time is super limited and so are my resources. That said, YES is a wonderful organization, and I will commit to bringing up and discussing YES with individuals I interact with as much as I can when appropriate.” 

How Will YES Cultivate These Relationships?

At YES, we understand that building lasting relationships with our supporters is key to sustaining our mission. Whether someone is an Ambassador, Benefactor, One-Time Donor, or Advocate, we are committed to ensuring all our supporters feel valued and engaged. Here is how we will cultivate and strengthen these relationships:

1.  YES will provide regular updates on the impact of their contribution(s)

2.  YES will provide supporters opportunities to be involved in future activities

3.  YES will provide a personal “thank-you” to our supporters via notes, recognition on our website, on social media, and/or at events.

Final Message from Our Founder

Remember when you were a kid? What do you remember most about those years? I am guessing the first things that POPPED into your mind were **experiences**- moments that have had a lifetime impact on you. Now, let us focus on the good memories… do they simply bring a smile to your face and create a good feeling in your tummy, or are they the kind of **experiences** that positively shaped who you are today?

At YES, we aim to create both types of transformative **experiences** for under-resourced youth who may otherwise never have the opportunity. Through YES, we will not only positively impact our youth, but these **experiences** will have a broader community and social benefit, further reinforcing our far-reaching effects.

Now is the time to make a difference! Join us in making this vision a reality by creating these unforgettable, life-shaping experiences that enable our youth to broaden their horizons, meet positive adult role models; all while developing confidence and passion. Whether you contribute as a donor, Ambassador or Advocate, your support will help transform and impact young lives and build a brighter future for us all!!!  SPREAD THE GOOD WORD!!!

Gratefully,

Michael Glasser