Case for Support Workbook Development

We are seeking a skilled volunteer to assist the Baton Rouge Area Youth Network (BRAYN) in developing a multi-purpose Case for Support Workbook. As an intermediary organization strengthening the capacity and efficacy of Out-of-School Time (OST) providers, BRAYN operates within a complex ecosystem of nonprofit partners, funders, schools, and families. Our work is highly collaborative and systems-oriented; however, our messaging has not yet been standardized across all audiences and use cases.

We need support developing clear, adaptable messaging that reflects the full scope of our work—and teaches others how to think about the role and value of OST programs in community well-being. This will lead to a modular case for support that we can tailor to specific audiences and funding opportunities.

The project includes:

Clarifying BRAYN’s identity and value proposition — What we do, how we do it, and why it matters, framed in a way that resonates across sectors.

Building a messaging architecture — Structured to adapt by tone and content focus for different funding streams, such as:

Collective impact

Workforce development

Professional development and capacity building

Systems change and advocacy

Youth and family engagement

Co-creating a Case for Support Workbook — A resource that includes narrative templates, impact messaging, visuals, and adaptable language to use across proposals, pitch decks, and campaigns.

This project will also incorporate community-informed insights. For example, many families in Baton Rouge have expressed a strong need for a centralized, user-friendly database that maps OST programs and services in the city with overlays of public transportation routes. BRAYN is already working toward the development of such a program and service locator. Including this type of messaging in the case for support will help us communicate our work to funders interested in equity, access, and data-informed infrastructure, as well as strengthen our appeal to both public systems and private investors.

The ideal volunteer will have experience in nonprofit communications, brand strategy, or case development. We anticipate working together for 2–5 hours per week over 6–8 weeks, with flexibility in scheduling and milestones. This project is a foundational step in our path toward 501(c)(3) status and will support deeper engagement with funders, partners, and families across our community.

This project will help us find our voice, enabling us to better advocate for the voices of others.

The Baton Rouge Area Youth Network (BRAYN) exists to strengthen the entire ecosystem of youth-serving organizations. We don’t provide direct services—we connect, equip, and advocate so that programs across the city can do their work better, together. Our mission is rooted in equity, collaboration, and systemic change. Because our work is complex and often behind the scenes, it’s not always easily understood. That’s where this project comes in.

By helping us create our very first case for support, you will be helping us name the value of OST (Out-of-School Time) programs—and teach funders, families, schools, and policymakers how to think about them as essential infrastructure for thriving communities. You’ll help us build the language we need to grow, fundraise, and sustain the trust we’ve built across Baton Rouge.

This work directly supports our transition to 501(c)(3) status, our ability to secure new types of funding, and our dream of launching a citywide database that helps families find the right programs and know how to access them. Your time and talent will shape how we show up in the world—and ultimately, how we support the people who show up for our kids every day.

You won’t just be shaping a case for support. You’ll be shaping the future of youth opportunity in Baton Rouge.

This project represents an exciting and much-needed starting point for BRAYN. We haven't yet developed a formal case for support, and we're seeking guidance from a skilled volunteer to help us build that foundation from the ground up. Rather than coming with a predetermined structure, we are approaching this work with an open mind, a clear sense of urgency, and a deep understanding of our mission and audience.

We are prepared to:

Share our current materials, including grant proposals, public-facing language, and strategic goals.

Offer real-time access to me, the Director, who will be the project lead and decision-maker.

Make space for co-creation—allowing the volunteer to bring their expertise in shaping the framework, tone, and structure of the case.

Work collaboratively to review and refine drafts, adapting messaging to various use cases.

This project is a top priority for us. It will immediately inform our communications, funding proposals, and stakeholder engagement efforts as we prepare to transition to a 501(c)(3). We're committed to being an active, responsive, and appreciative partner—and we're excited to build something meaningful together.