The fiscal plan for Rainbow Connections prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, and impact, ensuring that every dollar directly supports the mental health and community well-being of LGBTQ+ adolescents in rural areas. Our budgeting process was informed by an analysis of current rural mental health service costs, consultations with nonprofit finance professionals, and a commitment to equitable access regardless of a family’s financial capacity.
Budget Philosophy
We have developed a needs-based budget that aligns with the program’s mission and objectives, balancing personnel, facility, and operational expenses with outreach and participant support. This ensures that high-quality, culturally competent services remain available and affordable to all youth, with no one turned away for inability to pay or inability to access our counselors or services offered.
Funding Strategy
Our program will be financed through a diverse funding portfolio to ensure long-term stability:
Grant Funding
Applications to It Gets Better Project Grants (https://www.itgetsbetterchangemakers.org)
Trevor Project Community Grants (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/institutional-grants/ ),
SAMHSA (https://www.samhsa.gov )
Local community and New York State foundations
NY Health Foundation (https://nyhealthfoundation.org/grantee/the-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-community-center/)
New York Youth Mental Health Corps (https://newyorkersvolunteer.ny.gov/new-york-youth-mental-health-corps)
Insurance & Managed Care Reimbursements – For billable therapy sessions covered under Medicaid and private insurance.
Sliding Scale Client Contributions – Based on household income to promote affordability while generating some operational revenue.
Corporate & Business Sponsorships/Donors– Partnerships with LGBTQ-affirming companies to sponsor events and outreach campaigns.
Community Fundraising – Pride Month events, benefit concerts, and crowdfunding campaigns to engage the local community in supporting the mission.
By utilizing multiple funding streams and strategically allocating resources, Rainbow Connections will remain a financially sustainable, high-impact program that addresses a critical gap in rural mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth.