How one nonprofit unlocked $200K in funding on a $10K budget.
The founder was his organization's entire fundraising team - until an agentic system took over the grant calendar, the funder research, and the first drafts. In one year he doubled down on strategy and quadrupled the raise.
A Chicago nonprofit arming the next generation of leaders.
The organization 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 its founder's leadership, the team blends mentorship, mindset development, and community uplift to break cycles of poverty and incarceration.
One founder. Every hat. Not enough hours.
Before working with Boon, the founder 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.”
Founder
The organization needed a smarter approach to scale fundraising. The founder wasn't looking for another freelancer. He needed a partner with a real system.
A system, not a single hire.
The founder 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.”
Founder
Boon became an extension of the internal team.
The support included funder research, grant calendar planning, AI-assisted writing, and funder introductions. The founder'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.”
Founder
It's elevated my whole strategy and opened doors I never would've reached.
Founder · At-risk YouthBy the numbers.
The Funder Network broke open new rooms.
While grant writing was essential, the founder 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.”
Founder
Beyond the dollars, the founder pointed to a less quantifiable outcome: a sharp increase in credibility with funders.
“This has put me in a different stratosphere when talking to funders. It makes me look better. More credible. More sophisticated.”
Founder
One word: Efficient.
“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.”
Founder · At-risk Youth
Ready to raise more, with less time on grants?
Book a 30-minute intro. We'll map the funders you're closest to winning and show you what a Boon engagement would look like for your org.