Partner with us
As we sow into the youth of Cleveland’s near West side neighborhoods, we ask that you join us in helping to provide the necessary provision you feel called to give. Every dollar is directly used to support the youth and on going programs of Embody Youth Academy a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Monthly or One-Time Financial Support
Checks, Corporate Match, Donor-Advised Funds
We’ve partnered with Building Hope in the City as our fiscal agent, managing our funds to help us begin our program. All donations support Embody Youth Academy and the youth we walk alongside. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible.
Fundraising Goals
We are striving for excellence in our programming and for transparency with any support raised, so you can find a breakdown of our projected budgets below.
2026 Funding Snapshot
2026 Baseline Operating Need: $12,000/month
Current Monthly Support: ~$5,500
Monthly Support Gap to Fully Sustain Programs: ~$6,500
2026 total operating budget goal: $285,000
Your giving closes this gap so we can strengthen the daily training, mentorship, and support offered to Cleveland youth.
Your generosity fuels real transformation.
To keep Embody strong and growing, our annual operating budget for 2026 is $285,000—built on a baseline need of $12,000 per month to sustain daily training, mentorship, and community support for Cleveland’s youth.
Here’s how those resources are invested:
People & Leadership — $149,240 (52%)
This portion supports the people who walk with our students each week:
Executive leadership
Coaches and trainers
Mentorship and program coordination
Essential administrative support
Programming & Student Development — $80,360 (28%)
This funds the year-round experiences that shape students’ lives:
Martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu
Skilled sports training
Weekly mentorship groups and one-on-one coaching
Open gyms, community dinners, weekend programs
Creative arts beginning 2026
Summer camp and outdoor experiences
Facility, Operations & Insurance — $57,400 (20%)
This keeps our doors open and our programs strong:
Rent and utilities
Insurance and compliance
Training mats, gear, and equipment
Technology and basic operations
Early transportation development
Transportation Expansion - $50,000
Reliable access changes everything for our students. Funding supports:
Large-capacity van purchase
Fuel, insurance, maintenance
Volunteer or paid drivers
Transportation for early-morning, after-school, and weekend programs
2025 Impact: A Year-End Summary
A year of consistency, presence, and growth.
Training That Builds More Than Strength
Throughout the year, Embody Youth Academy provided consistent, training environments designed to build discipline, faith confidence, and purpose.
At a Glance: Overview
156 training sessions
75+ Individual Youth Served
312 hours of structured programming
1,092 student training experiences
2,184 total student-hours of engagement
Skilled Training • Character formation • Relational mentorship
Character & Faith Integrated
Approximately two-thirds of all sessions included a structured team talk and Scripture, reinforcing identity, integrity, and purpose alongside physical training.
~104 sessions included Scripture
~1,456 student-hours took place in sessions with intentional spiritual formation
Mentorship Beyond the Gym
Our impact extends far beyond scheduled sessions.
~5 days per week of mentorship engagement
~260 days per year of student contact outside of training
500–780 additional mentorship touchpoints annually
Anchored Consistent Presence
Providing students with a steady rhythm of discipline, accountability, and community.
2,184 student-hours of engagement
Small-group environments fostering trust and growth
Community, outdoor experiences service events throughout the year
Long-Term Vision
We hope to bring Embody’s model to more Cleveland neighborhoods in the years ahead, but our current focus is clear:
Build out West 58th Street. Serve more youth. Deepen impact.
Expansion Goals: Building the Future on West 58th Street
Beyond our baseline budget, additional giving fuels the full build-out of our home on West 58th Street. This expansion allows us to serve more students, improve training quality, and create a multi-use hub for youth and families.
Total West Side Facility Expansion - $250,000
Estimated allocation of project costs:
Expanded Mats & MMA Training Space — $45,000
New mats, wall padding, mirrors, and safety upgrades.Community Space & Student Lounge — $35,000
Dining tables, chairs, kitchen needs, couches/seating, AV system.Building Safety + Infrastructure Upgrades — $20,000
Electrical, lighting, ventilation, and security improvements.Multi Purpose Field House w/ Batting Cage — $75,000
turf field, sport equipment, Netting, cage structure, pitching machine.Expanded Strength & Conditioning Area — $25,000
Racks, weights, cardio equipment, storage, flooring.Creative Arts Studio — $30,000
Art supplies, editing computers, tablets, cameras, audio equipment, furniture, and storage.Learning Lab/STEM Program — $20,000
Study space, computers, robotics kits, desks, whiteboards, learning tools.
This full build-out transforms our current facility into a long-term home for students to learn more about who they were created to be through training, creativity, mentorship, and community.