Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH) is a not-for-profit organization that works to serve children with talent, ability and motivation whose circumstances inhibit their success. BHGH uses the name "Scholars" for the children selected into the program. Scholars come from low income families, crime ridden neighborhoods and unstable Communities are provided with everything needed to succeed: food, shelter, clothing, education, medical care and a variety of other support services. According to statistics about 20% of American children age six or younger live below the poverty line. Most of these children are likely to drop out of school. Many factors beyond a child’s control can combine to stunt or destroy his or her promise and potential future. Boys Hope Girls Hope believes: * In children * Their ability to overcome their circumstances * Their ability to become more than they ever dreamed of becoming * They can then go on to give hope to countless others
BHGH provides children with arms-around care, sate homes and safe environments , first class education, opportunities to learn more about themselves and the world, and academic, financial, and spiritual support through college. BHGH empowers children to realize the potential that is within them. The mission of BHGH is to help “academically capable and motivated children in need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college.”
BHGH runs 30 homes in 16 cities in the United States and 12 homes in three foreign countries - Guatemala, Brazil and Peru. Currently in Illinois, BHGH runs three homes and excellent school programs in Illinois. The organization (BHGH) has an integrative role structure, shown in figure 1.
NATIONAL OFFICE VP FINANCE/ACCOUNING
NATIONAL OFFICE VP OF MARKETING
LOCAL OFFICE DIRECTORS
LOCAL OFFICE MANAGERS
LOCAL OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
NATIONAL OFFICE VP OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
LOCAL OFFICE ACCOUNTANT
LOCAL OFFICE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Figure 1. BHGH is having a difficult time generating enough economic support to further its mission beyond the basic needs of the program. The challenging economic environment is a major cause for the decrease in donations. A recent 2009 study conducted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy showed that the nation's 400 largest charities anticipate a 9 percent decline in giving this year. The Chronicle notes that this decline would be the steepest drop since they began tracking private donations to the top 400 U.S.-based charities in 1992. BHGH is not rank in the top 400 charities; however, this figure supports the effect the current economic environment is having on charities across the board.
Right now, BHGH only has enough funds to support the program and pay for needed improvements. They are unable to grow the program and increase services. They have had to cut out extras, i.e., field trips, reduced sports, summer camps, and extracurricular activities. BHGH would like to do more to help the Scholars with career preparation, but due to their financial constraints are unable to do so at this time.
Sustainability and capacity building of BHGH are major issues facing the
