Resource Hub

Grant Portals, Writing Tips, Partnerships, and Program Evidence

Grant Portals

Grants.govFederal grant opportunities search and application portal
SAM.govSystem for Award Management -- entity registration and federal awards
NJ Office of the Attorney General (OVPTR)Violence prevention and trauma recovery grant programs
City of NewarkMunicipal grant opportunities and community development programs
NJSTARTNew Jersey state procurement and contracting portal
Community Foundation of New JerseyCFNJ grant programs including Prudential community grants

Writing & Compliance Tips

Budget AlignmentEvery line item must trace to a program objective. Use the OVPTR budget template as a model: 60% personnel, 19% supplies, 9% facility.
SMART ObjectivesSpecific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Include frequency of measurement for each metric.
In-Kind DocumentationDocument all in-kind contributions with estimated market value. HigherSelf's leverage ratio is $3.45 per $1 of OVPTR investment.
Compliance CalendarQuarterly reports due 30 days after quarter end. Final report due 60 days after grant period. Maintain 100% on-time reporting record.
990 Filing ReminderAnnual IRS Form 990 due May 15 (or 15th day of 5th month after fiscal year end). Higher Lifestyle Corporation EIN required.
Narrative Best PracticeLead with impact data, reference comparable program benchmarks (91% arrest-free rate, 85% completion), and tie every element to funder priorities.

Partnership Resources

MetroPowerPrimary corporate partner. Contact: Antione Harrell (Project Manager). $10K completed, $50K Five-Year Partnership, $75K/yr youth meals.
IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors)Gamified Training Platform partnership. Contact: Jeff Rogers. Georgia pilot, national rollout. $50-75K initial, $1M+ annual at scale.
SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program)Employment pipeline integration. Year-round mentoring feeds SYEP summer placements. Active endorsement from the City of Newark.
OVPTR / Brick City Peace Collective$345K in completed grants. Primary government partner since 2023. Violence prevention, trauma recovery, and community safety alignment.
A.M. ConsultingIndependent program evaluation by Altagracia Montilla. Quarterly data analysis, mid-year evaluation, final comprehensive report.
Piper Family of CompaniesNational skill building and career development partnership. Industry exposure and workforce development opportunities.

Program Evidence

Trauma-Informed CareSAMHSA's framework for trauma-informed approaches. HigherSelf integrates TIC across all five program tracks.
Credible Messenger ModelEvidence-based youth intervention using community members with shared lived experience. Core to HigherSelf's mentoring approach.
Youth Mentorship OutcomesComparable Newark programs show 91% arrest-free rate (1yr post-discharge), 85% program completion, 78% employment placement.
Newark Youth DataNewark population: 311,000. Youth unemployment significantly above national average. 3-7 PM identified as peak risk hours for youth violence.
Safe Passage CorridorsThe 7 Space operates 11AM-7PM Mon-Fri as a designated safe passage site, covering the critical 3-7 PM afterschool risk window.
Arts-Based HealingResearch supports arts programming as an effective tool for trauma expression, community building, and youth engagement in violence prevention contexts.