Bridges to a Brighter Future is fortunate enough to have an endowment that provides approximately 75% of the funding needed to operate the summer program and year-round administration.

Unfortunately, the increasing needs of Bridges’ students have out-paced our financial resources.

When considering resources, it is important to understand that while Bridges to a Brighter Future is a Furman University program, only six percent of the budget ($10,000) is operational funding from Furman University. All expenses, including salary and benefits of all staff, program housing and food come from the Furman University Bridges to a Brighter Future endowment. Since university policy is to spend 4.5 percent of the endowment annually, the endowment and Furman University funding can support only approximately 75 percent of program costs, leaving Bridges to raise 20 percent of the additional funding necessary every year to keep the program running.

Bridges to a Brighter Future operates on a very lean staff. There is only one full-time director and one half-time administrative assistant. Summer staff is hired to manage the summer program, but year-round, there is only one full-time staff person. Therefore, the majority of the budget is programmatic.

We work tirelessly to raise the additional 20% needed annually for the Bridges summer program and we have interest in expanding the services provided in the program and opportunities to students. Funding is needed to support the following:

Current Summer Program

• Support aspects of the summer program like leadership development, personal development, college trips, and materials.

Increase Current Bridges Endowment

• Ultimately, increasing the Bridges endowment will increase the annual funds we have to operate.

Endow Saturday College

• Saturday College is currently funded annually by The Jolley Foundation, but it would be great to endow this special expansion.

Crossing the Bridge

• We successfully enroll Bridges students in college but do not retain them at the same rate.
• We want to expand the program to ensure retention and graduation from college.

Student Needs

• Our students have many needs that arise during the year.
• We raise money to support these needs.

• Needs such as: School supplies, clothing, school fees, etc...

Scholarships for students to go to college

• With the increasing cost of college, our Bridges students need more scholarships to pay for college.

Bridges After Bridges

• We partner with different agencies to provide opportunities after the four-week summer program.
• We need funding to support these opportunities.

Therefore, we welcome the support of foundations and donors.Please see our Partners page for more information regarding specific supporters.

Bridges to a Brighter Future is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all gifts are tax-deductible.