SUPPORT

Scholars Elite believes that it can use basketball to lay the foundation for well adjusted, competitive and successful young adults. We are firm believers in the benefits of sports and can think of no better way to instill strong work ethic, team orientation, discipline, goal setting and many other positive characteristics.

As a part of the Scholars Elite mission, we use participation to promote academic performance, mental health and civic engagement. We operate on a need-blind basis so that all youth participants and families have access without regard to financial resources.

Many communities within our state and region deal with poverty, homelessness, under-resourced schools, and single parent families. We support players and families from many of these communities with assistance to address these issues.

Your contributions will make a real difference to many families and kids who are being uplifted by their common pursuit of excellence. Yes, basketball has and is making a real difference in many aspects of their lives. Scholar Elite is a 501c3 charitable organization.

NJ Scholars Academy needs to expand its capacity to better serve program participants (youth and families) and the underlying local communities. This presents a significant challenge that we intend to meet through fundraising and charitable contributions.

OUR MISSION & ITS CHALLENGES

WHERE HELP IS NEEDED

We have specific areas in which we intend to expand or improve our support:

Academic resources and support

(e.g. tutoring for all age groups, leveraging technology, providing academic space). Many participating families do not have the needed resources to support academic success, especially in many of the nearby Essex County cities that we serve. We strive to raise the level of academic success of all scholar athletes.

Emotional well-being and mental health training

For all staff, parents/families and the provision of services as needed for scholar athletes. About 20% of young adults have mental issues that need attention and up to 40% who later attend college will struggle with a mental illness. African-American suicide rates among youth have recently skyrocketed.

College preparation, readiness and eventually admission support

Start from middle school and go through high school. Having a college going mindset and plan is critical starting in middle school or earlier. PSAT, SAT, ACT prep courses make a difference in scores and access to better colleges. We strive to provide a continuous and wholistic approach to maximizing positive college outcomes.

Cultural and civic engagement opportunities

(food drives, homelessness, disability assistance). We believe that these activities create social well-being for the community and instill a sense of gratefulness and concern for others among our scholar athletes. These traits have been determined to be significant success factors.

Basketball operations support

The cost of tournament participation is significant and growing. Many families cannot provide support in terms of travel, food or other basic requirements. In addition, individualized athletic training and development is required to pursue high levels of excellence, scholarships or improved access to college. We financially scholarship our players and therefore remove financial barriers for participants.

Administrative and technology infrastructure

We intend to effectively engage our scholar athletes and families and the local community by building and maintaining appropriate infrastructure including an appropriate digital presence including mobile responsive website and active social media. We also intend to use data science and statistical analysis tools to improve player, team and program performance.

CONTRIBUTION ALLOCATION

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

BASIC TRANSPORTATION & LODGING

NCAA CERTIFIED EVENT FEES

COACHES & MENTORS

ADMINISTRATIVE COST

WRAP AROUND SERVICES

DONOR OPTIONS

IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GIVING STRIVING YOUNG ADULTS THE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES, THERE ARE MEANINGFUL WAYS THAT YOU CAN HAVE AN IMPACT.