This summer, Youthprise in collaboration with World Youth Connect is supporting local families with a back-to-school drive aimed at providing the supplies students need for a successful school year. Targeted supplies include backpacks, notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, rulers, calculators, and other items students might need.
To sponsor a family, complete the form available at https://bit.ly/Sponsor-Sign-Up. Sponsors can drop off supplies at 3001 Broadway Street, NE, Suite 330, Minneapolis, MN 55413 in Mid-August. We will contact sponsors with drop-off hours via email.
If you have questions, send an email to giveback@youthprise.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ready to Succeed?
Ready to Succeed is part of an ongoing effort to provide year-round support to local families in need. This can include support during the holiday season, back to school, the onset of winter, or other times that place greater demands on youth and families. In addition, we support hundreds of families through initiatives such as MN Afterschool Advance to ease the burdens families face.
Who are the families?
Most families have participated in our MN Afterschool Initiative, a program that connects low-income families to high-quality afterschool programs and other enrichment opportunities through the MN K12 Education Tax Credit. To be eligible for our MAA program, families must have a household income of $33,500 or less in the current or previous tax year.
How does the program work?
Individuals or groups desiring to sponsor school supplies are matched with a family by Youthprise. Families and sponsors interested in participating are asked to complete an online form. Sponsors will then receive a brief description of the family along with their school supply wish list; however, personally identifiable information will not be shared. Sponsors are NOT obligated to buy everything on the wish list.
What is the cost involved?
There is no cost for families in need. For sponsors, the cost will depend on the resources available and the needs of the family being sponsored. We ask that those sponsoring families commit a minimum of $300-$800 per family.
Can I donate money instead of purchasing supplies?
Yes! We welcome individual donations, which can be made online at https://youthprise.org/donate/. Be sure to select “Back-to-School Drive” to designate your gift accordingly. Please make your back-to-school contributions no later than
How does the family receive the supplies?
We ask sponsors to package all donations for one family together and label them with the number that corresponds to the assigned family (this number will be provided to you in advance). Sponsors are asked to drop off supplies at our office at 3001 Broadway Street, NE, Suite 330, Minneapolis, MN 55413, in Mid-August. This allows families sufficient time to pick up their supplies before school starts. Sponsors who are unable to deliver items during the specified times can make other arrangements by contacting giveback@youthprise.org For confidentiality reasons and consistency with COVID-19 protocols, sponsors and families will not meet.
Anything else I should know?
If your group or organization has raised money beyond what is needed to purchase supplies, please consider purchasing other items the family might need. Some examples include socks, raincoats, gift cards for retailers such as Target or Walmart, as well as practical items such as shampoo, toothpaste, or other personal care items. These are always needed and appreciated by the families.
Whom do I contact with questions?
If you have questions, send an email to giveback@youthprise.org