Male Mogul Initiative
How Male Mogul Initiative Unlocked $200K in Funding with Just $10K Using Boon’s AI-Powered Strategy
Male Mogul Initiative is a Chicago-based nonprofit on a mission to equip young Black and Brown men with the tools to build character, entrepreneurial skills, and life-ready careers. Under founder Walter Mendenhall’s leadership, MMI blends mentorship, mindset development, and community uplift to break cycles of poverty and incarceration.
Funder Network
Grant Services
About the client
Male Mogul Initiative is a Chicago-based nonprofit on a mission to equip young Black and Brown men with the tools to build character, entrepreneurial skills, and life-ready careers. Under founder Walter Mendenhall’s leadership, MMI blends mentorship, mindset development, and community uplift to break cycles of poverty and incarceration.
Services provided
Funder Network
Grant Services
The challenge
Before working with Boon, Walter was a one-person fundraising team. He juggled grant writing, donor development, and program execution, often spending 20 to 40 hours per month just on grants.
“I was the main fundraiser, the main grant writer. I’d hired grant writers before, but the ROI just wasn’t there. It was all very basic and limited to their network.”
Walter Mendenhall, Founder, MMI
MMI needed a smarter approach to scale fundraising. Walter wasn’t looking for another freelancer. He needed a partner with a real system.
Why Boon
Walter chose Boon for its technology-driven approach. What stood out was the process, not just the people.
“The thing that stood out was how it leveraged tech and AI. You’re not just dependent on someone juggling five clients. The system is built to do the work and it gets done.”
Walter
The solution
Boon became an extension of the MMI team. The support included funder research, grant calendar planning, AI-assisted writing, and funder introductions. Walter’s role shifted to reviewing drafts and providing insights, usually spending under 30 minutes per grant.
“I get an email with timelines and priorities. The AI drafts the grant, someone edits it, and I do a final pass. It saves me so much time. Now I can focus on relationships and strategy.”
The results
$200,000 raised to date from aligned funders
Over 75% reduction in time spent on grant writing
$10,000 total spend with a 20x return
Increased credibility with institutional funders
Renewed confidence in MMI’s ability to scale
“Honestly, this is the best money I’ve spent this year. I’ve been able to show up more confidently, save time, and actually win funding.”
“This has put me in a different stratosphere when talking to funders. It makes me look better. More credible. More sophisticated.”
The Game Changer
While grant writing was essential, Walter called Boon’s Funder Network offering the true differentiator.
“The Funder Network is a godsend. No one else is doing this. It’s elevated my whole strategy and opened doors I never would’ve reached.”
Advice to other nonprofits
“You have to come in prepared with your data and your story. But if you do, Boon will help you move faster, look more legit, and raise more money.”
one word to describe the experience
Efficient.
