SECTION 1: ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Organization Legal Name: Association of Midnight Basketball — [CHAPTER NAME]

Address: [STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP]

Phone: [PHONE NUMBER]

Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]

Website: www.midnightbasketballusa.org

Federal Tax ID (EIN): 94-3225274

CA State ID: C1888781

IRS 501(c)(3) Status: Active — Letter of Determination attached

Executive Director / Contact: [NAME, TITLE]

Annual Operating Budget: [CURRENT YEAR BUDGET]

Grant Amount Requested: $[AMOUNT REQUESTED]

SECTION 2: ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Association of Midnight Basketball (AMB) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that has served at-risk youth for over 35 years. Founded June 18, 1986 in Glenarden, Maryland by Dr. G. Van Standifer, AMB has grown to 16 licensed chapters serving communities across Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas.

AMB's mission is to develop strong positive character among youth and young adults, ages 13–24, through violence prevention and youth stability programs and activities. We accomplish this by operating structured programming during the highest-risk hours of the night — 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM — providing young people with safe, purposeful alternatives to street activity.

SECTION 3: NEEDS STATEMENT

In [CITY/COMMUNITY NAME], young people face significant mental health challenges compounded by community violence, trauma, and limited access to professional support. Recent data shows:

• [LOCAL CRIME STATISTIC — e.g., "Youth violent crime incidents increased X% between 2022–2024"]
• [LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH STATISTIC — e.g., "X% of youth report symptoms of anxiety/depression with no access to services"]
• [LOCAL SCHOOL/EMPLOYMENT STATISTIC]

The Midnight Basketball League Program™ was specifically designed to address this gap — operating during the 8 PM–1 AM window when young people are most vulnerable and least served by traditional community programs.

SECTION 4: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION — MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENTS

The requested funding will support the following mental health program components of the AMB [CHAPTER NAME] Midnight Basketball League Program™:

4.1 SCARED STIFF — Gun Violence Awareness (AMB Partner Program)
The SCARED STIFF program is an AMB partner curriculum delivered within the Midnight Basketball League Program™’s Health Component. It brings together professionals, community leaders, and healthcare workers to graphically illustrate the impact of gun violence and create positive behavioral change. Sessions are taken directly into schools, community centers, recreation centers, and juvenile detention centers, providing trauma-informed education that reduces desensitization to violence. Note: The Midnight Basketball League Program™ itself is AMB’s comprehensive crime prevention and intervention model.

4.2 Mental Health Counseling & Referrals (Health Component)
Every AMB session includes mandatory health programming that incorporates mental health screenings, counseling sessions, substance abuse prevention education, and warm referrals to licensed mental health providers. Our partnerships with [LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS] ensure that participants who need deeper support are connected to ongoing care.

4.3 Trauma-Informed Case Management
Licensed social workers conduct individual needs assessments for all participants. Staff trained in trauma-informed practices provide ongoing case management support, crisis intervention, and connections to community resources for housing, legal aid, and family services.

SECTION 5: EVALUATION PLAN

AMB [CHAPTER NAME] will measure program effectiveness through:

• Pre/post participant surveys measuring mental health indicators (PHQ-9, GAD-7)
• Attendance tracking: sessions attended, workshops completed
• Referral completion rates: percentage of referred participants who engage with services
• Police incident data during operating hours (compared to same hours prior year)
• 6-month follow-up surveys with program graduates

Quarterly reports will be submitted to AMB National and made available to the Saks Foundation upon request.

SECTION 6: BUDGET NARRATIVE

Grant Request: $[AMOUNT]

Line Item	Description	Amount
Mental Health Staff	Part-time licensed counselor — [HRS/WK × WEEKS × RATE]	$[AMOUNT]
SCARED STIFF Program (Partner)	Curriculum materials, guest speakers, program supplies (AMB partner curriculum)	$[AMOUNT]
Health Workshop Materials	Educational materials, assessments, referral coordination	$[AMOUNT]
Case Management	Social worker stipend, referral coordination costs	$[AMOUNT]
Evaluation & Reporting	Data collection tools, survey administration, reporting	$[AMOUNT]
TOTAL		$[TOTAL]

SECTION 7: SUSTAINABILITY

The AMB [CHAPTER NAME] chapter sustains its operations through a diversified funding strategy including: municipal government contracts ([% OF BUDGET]%), corporate sponsorships ([%]%), individual donations ([%]%), and foundation grants ([%]%). This grant will allow us to expand and formalize our mental health programming, making a stronger case for continued municipal investment.

Certification: The undersigned certifies that the information contained in this application is accurate and complete, and that the applying organization is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Signature: [SIGNATURE]
Name/Title: [NAME, TITLE]
Date: [DATE]

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Association of Midnight Basketball — [CHAPTER NAME] requests $[AMOUNT] from [FUNDER NAME] to support [BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION] serving [NUMBER] at-risk youth ages 13–24 in [COMMUNITY NAME]. AMB has operated this nationally proven model for over 35 years, delivering documented reductions in youth crime, increased educational attainment, and improved employment outcomes.

II. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Founded on June 18, 1986 in Glenarden, Maryland by Dr. G. Van Standifer, the Association of Midnight Basketball (AMB) is a pioneer in community-based violence prevention and youth empowerment. What began as a single basketball league has grown into a national organization with 16 licensed chapters across 7 states, serving communities in Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas.

AMB operates on a fundamental insight: the hours between 8:00 PM and 1:00 AM are the highest-risk period for youth involvement in crime. By providing structured, engaging programming during these hours — combining athletics with mandatory educational and life-skills workshops — AMB directly interrupts the pathway from idle time to criminal activity.

For over three decades, AMB has helped more than 24 communities reduce crime, secure employment for youth, and raise education levels — with a goal of serving at least 65,000 young men and women over the next three years.

III. STATEMENT OF NEED

In [COMMUNITY NAME], the challenges facing young people are acute:

• Youth Crime: [LOCAL CRIME STATISTICS FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT]
• Education: [DROPOUT RATE, GRADUATION RATE DATA]
• Employment: [YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DATA]
• Program Gap: [WHAT SERVICES CURRENTLY DON'T EXIST IN YOUR AREA]

Traditional youth programs typically operate from 3:00–6:00 PM — missing the most dangerous hours of the night entirely. AMB's 8 PM–1 AM model was specifically designed to fill this gap.

IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Project Title: [PROJECT NAME]

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: Reduce youth crime during operating hours in [COMMUNITY]

• Objective 1.1: Enroll [NUMBER] at-risk youth in structured programming during the 8 PM–1 AM window
• Objective 1.2: Achieve 80% attendance rate across the 24-week program year
• Objective 1.3: Reduce participating youth's police contact by [TARGET %]

Goal 2: Improve educational and employment outcomes for program participants

• Objective 2.1: Connect [NUMBER] participants to educational or vocational training opportunities
• Objective 2.2: Place [NUMBER] participants in employment or job training programs
• Objective 2.3: Support [NUMBER] participants in GED completion or school re-enrollment

Program Activities: All six AMB program components will be delivered:

• Education workshops (GED prep, literacy, school re-enrollment)
• Employment training (resume, interview skills, employer partnerships)
• Health programming (mental health, gun violence awareness via SCARED STIFF partner curriculum, substance abuse prevention)
• Case management (individual assessments, social service referrals)
• Cultural enrichment (arts, civic engagement, leadership development)
• Recreation — organized midnight basketball league

V. EVALUATION PLAN

AMB [CHAPTER NAME] will track and report outcomes using the following measures:

• Enrollment and attendance records (maintained weekly)
• Pre/post participant surveys (knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors)
• Police incident data during operating hours (obtained from local department)
• Educational enrollment and completion tracking
• Employment placement and 90-day retention data
• 6-month post-program follow-up survey

Reports will be submitted to [FUNDER] on a [QUARTERLY/SEMI-ANNUAL/ANNUAL] basis.

VI. BUDGET SUMMARY

Category	Requested	Chapter Match	Total
Staffing & Personnel	$[AMOUNT]	$[AMOUNT]	$[TOTAL]
Facility Operations	$[AMOUNT]	$[AMOUNT]	$[TOTAL]
Equipment & Supplies	$[AMOUNT]	$[AMOUNT]	$[TOTAL]
Program Activities	$[AMOUNT]	$[AMOUNT]	$[TOTAL]
Administration (max 15%)	$[AMOUNT]	$[AMOUNT]	$[TOTAL]
TOTAL	$[AMOUNT]	$[AMOUNT]	$[TOTAL]

VII. SUSTAINABILITY

AMB [CHAPTER NAME] maintains a diversified funding strategy. This grant will allow us to [EXPLAIN WHAT NEW CAPACITY THIS BUILDS], which will be sustained beyond the grant period through [MUNICIPAL FUNDING / CORPORATE SPONSORS / OTHER GRANTS / EARNED REVENUE].

The Association of Midnight Basketball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Authorized Signature: [SIGNATURE]    Date: [DATE]

Printed Name & Title: [NAME, TITLE]

SECTION A: CHAPTER INFORMATION

Chapter Name: [CHAPTER NAME]

Chapter Director: [NAME]

Chapter Address: [ADDRESS]

Phone / Email: [PHONE] / [EMAIL]

Date Chapter Licensed: [DATE LICENSED BY AMB NATIONAL]

Chapter 501(c)(3) EIN: [EIN]

Current Operating Budget (Annual): $[BUDGET AMOUNT]

Number of Active Participants (Last Session): [NUMBER]

SECTION B: FUNDING REQUEST

Amount Requested: $[AMOUNT]

Intended Use: (check all that apply)

• ☐ Program Launch / Startup Costs
• ☐ Equipment (basketballs, jerseys, gym supplies)
• ☐ Facility Deposit / Rental
• ☐ Staff Training / Certification
• ☐ Program Materials (curriculum, printing)
• ☐ Marketing / Community Outreach
• ☐ Other: [DESCRIBE]

SECTION C: NARRATIVE — DESCRIBE YOUR NEED

[Describe in 300–500 words why your chapter needs this funding, what gap it will fill, and how it aligns with AMB's mission. Include specific challenges your chapter is facing and how this investment will help overcome them.]

[YOUR NARRATIVE HERE — 300 TO 500 WORDS]

SECTION D: BUDGET DETAIL

Item	Vendor/Source	Cost	Justification
[ITEM 1]	[VENDOR]	$[COST]	[WHY NEEDED]
[ITEM 2]	[VENDOR]	$[COST]	[WHY NEEDED]
[ITEM 3]	[VENDOR]	$[COST]	[WHY NEEDED]
TOTAL		$[TOTAL]

SECTION E: BOARD AUTHORIZATION

The Board of Directors of [CHAPTER NAME] has reviewed and approved this application at its meeting on [DATE].

Board Chair Signature: [SIGNATURE]

Printed Name: [NAME]

Date: [DATE]

Submit completed application to: AMB National HQ — m.steadman@midnightbasketballusa.org / amblpinc@gmail.com