Shared Access Playbook • Network Leaders
Education Savings Account (ESA) Channel
In states with ESA programs, families receive $7K–$10K/year for educational expenses. Churches become approved ESA vendors for tutoring and enrichment. Your network manages compliance and earns admin fees.
What's Inside:
Case study: 15 churches serve 60 ESA families = $54K network revenue
Revenue model: 10% of ESA funds as admin fee for compliance support
90-day pilot: Become approved vendor → Onboard 3 churches → Serve families
Five Resource Channels You Can Activate
From state ESA programs to youth entrepreneurship grants, these channels bring education capital to your network families—turning public funds into community wealth.
1. State Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
Help families access $5K-$8K per child in public education funds for tutoring, enrichment, homeschool support. Your network becomes the approved ESA vendor, managing compliance while churches deliver services.
Southern Regional Church Collective — ESA Activation Network
A 12-church network (500 families, majority Black/Brown, ESA-eligible states) activated ESA enrollment support and Dream Chaser Kids youth labs. Economic outcome: 22 families enrolled in ESAs ($4K-$7K per family) = $110K in public funds flowing to member families. 8 youth launched first micro-businesses via Dream Chaser Kids.
- Network Investment
- $7.2K annual (0.75 FTE navigator)
- Value Channeled
- $110K Year 1
- Timeline
- 6 months from ESA mapping to first family accessing funds
Multi-City Network — Hybrid Learning Hubs
A 20-church network across 3 cities with empty classrooms during weekdays activated ESAs + Outschool classes + Comcast Lift Zones (free Wi-Fi). Economic outcome: 30 families using $6K average ESA = $180K in public education funds. Churches provide physical space and supervision; ESA funds pay tutors (often church members).
- Network Investment
- $10K startup + $3K/month navigator
- Value Channeled
- $180K Year 1
- Timeline
- 9 months from Outschool grant to 30 families enrolled
Sample Budget: 15-Church ESA Network (Year 1)
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ESA Landscape Mapping | State eligibility research | $2K-$3K |
| Dream Chaser Kids License | Youth entrepreneurship curriculum | $2K-$5K |
| Navigator Training | ESA application process training | $1K-$3K |
| Marketing Materials | Family info nights, flyers | $2K-$4K |
| Outschool Grant Application | $10K grant writing/coordination | $2K-$3K |
| ESA Navigator (0.75 FTE) | Support 30-60 families/year | $30K-$40K |
| Total Year 1 Startup Investment | $10K-$20K | |
| Total Year 1 Annual Ongoing | $35K-$55K | |
| Value Channeled: $110K-$180K in public education funds (200-300% ROI) | ||
Economic Impact: Public Funds Become Community Wealth
- 18x Leverage Ratio: $10K network investment → $180K public funds channeled to families.
- Hyper-Local Employment: ESA funds pay church members as tutors ($25-$50/hour), creating micro-economy.
- Asset Activation: Empty church classrooms become weekday learning hubs generating facility rental income.
- Activation Rate: 50-70% of eligible families successfully enrolled with network support vs. <20% without.
2. Outschool Community Partner Grants
$10K cash + in-kind support for education navigation programs. Your network applies for Outschool grants to fund ESA navigators and provide free online classes to member families.
Multi-City Network — Outschool Grant Recipient
The backbone nonprofit applied for Outschool Community Partner Grant ($10K) and used grant to fund first year of navigator role. This allowed them to support 30 families through ESA enrollment without depleting church budgets.
- Grant Amount
- $10K cash + in-kind
- Use Case
- Navigator salary Year 1
- Outcome
- 30 families enrolled, $180K channeled
Economic Impact: Grant Stacking
- Zero Church Cost: Outschool grant funds Year 1 navigator, allowing proof-of-concept before churches invest.
- Foundation for Sustainability: Success metrics from Year 1 position network to secure foundation grants for Year 2 scaling.
- Technology Access: In-kind Outschool classes provide enrichment that families couldn't otherwise afford.
3. Dream Chaser Kids — Faith-Shaped Youth Entrepreneurship
A curriculum that guides youth through discovering their talents and launching a project. Positions youth for corporate grants like Prudential Emerging Visionaries ($5K-$15K awards).
Urban Faith Business Collaborative — Youth Entrepreneurship
A 15-church network in urban core with high youth unemployment activated Prudential Emerging Visionaries applications and Dream Chaser Kids labs. Economic outcome: 1 youth won $10K Prudential award; 12 youth completed DCK program and launched projects (art businesses, tutoring services, social ventures).
- Network Investment
- $5K (DCK license + coordination)
- Value Channeled
- $10K award + 12 youth businesses
- Infrastructure
- 8-week youth builder lab + pitch night
Economic Impact: Youth as Job Creators
- Breaking Generational Poverty: Youth move from job seekers to job creators, launching micro-businesses that generate $1K-$5K first-year revenue.
- College/Training Pathways: 1-2 youth per network access Prudential awards or other scholarships via DCK pitch practice.
- Mentor Network: Volunteer business owners from member churches provide 1 hour/month mentorship—building social capital.
4. Prudential Emerging Visionaries Awards
$5K-$15K awards for youth ages 14-18 leading community projects. Your network coordinates application support, pitch practice, and submission—turning individual youth efforts into network-wide campaigns.
How It Works
The network business coordinator facilitates applications and matches youth with mentors. A 12-week timeline from cohort launch to Prudential application deadline allows for 2-3 cohorts per year. Churches host quarterly pitch nights where youth present 3-minute pitches to network leaders and local funders.
Economic Impact: Corporate Capital for Youth
- Award Leverage: 1-2 winners per network ($10K-$15K) = immediate seed capital for youth-led ventures.
- Pipeline Building: Even non-winners gain pitch practice, business planning skills, and mentor relationships.
- Honorable Mentions: $5K honorable mention awards provide consolation capital for runner-ups.
5. Shopify 1MBB (One Million Black Businesses)
120-day free trial + e-commerce certification + coaching from Operation HOPE. Your network identifies 10-25 aspiring entrepreneurs and facilitates the cohort, turning side hustlers into formalized e-commerce businesses.
Shopify 1MBB Cohort — Side Hustlers to Business Owners
A 10-church network identified 25 aspiring entrepreneurs and activated Shopify 1MBB 120-day trial + Operation HOPE coaching + LegalZoom affiliate for LLC formation. Economic outcome: 8 entrepreneurs launched e-commerce stores; 3 reached $5K first-year revenue; network earned $600 in LegalZoom affiliate commissions (8 LLCs × $75 each).
- Network Investment
- $4K (coordinator time, pitch nights)
- Value Channeled
- 8 businesses + $600 affiliate revenue
- Timeline
- 4 months from roster survey to first store launch
Economic Impact: Formalization Pipeline
- Side Hustle → LLC: Network provides structure to formalize informal businesses, unlocking access to commercial banking and government contracts.
- Shopify Value: 120-day free trial ($99/month × 4 months) = $400 value per entrepreneur.
- Network Revenue: Affiliate commissions ($600-$2K/year) cover small operational costs (pitch night snacks, printing).
Your 90-Day Launch Pilot
ESA channels convert your network's aggregated demand into purchasing power. Start with one ESA-eligible state and 3-5 churches to prove the model.
Month 1: ESA Landscape Mapping
Days 1-30: The Research Phase
- • Identify ESA-eligible states/districts: Which member churches are in AZ, FL, TX, NC, TN, IN, or other ESA states?
- • Survey families: Who has school-age kids? Who knows about ESAs? Current utilization rate?
- • Map existing ESA providers: What are the application windows? Deadlines vary by state.
- • Confirm backbone 501(c)(3): ESA dollars require fiscal agent for compliance tracking
- • Identify local education nonprofits: 1-2 partners who can provide referrals or co-application support
Investment: $2K-$3K (coordinator time, survey tools)
Month 2: Navigator Training & Family Outreach
Days 31-60: The Infrastructure Build
- • Hire/assign 0.5 FTE ESA navigator: Can be part-time church staff member or external hire
- • Train navigator: ESA application processes, documentation requirements, state portals
- • Introduce Dream Chaser Kids curriculum: 8-week builder lab model for youth entrepreneurship
- • Host 2 family info nights: In-person or Zoom across member churches: "How to access your child's education funds"
- • Launch simple interest form: "Want help applying for an ESA?" (Multiply or Google Form)
Investment: $4K-$7K (navigator salary, training materials, event hosting, Multiply setup)
Month 3: First Cohort & Applications
Days 61-90: The Activation
- • Support 10-15 families through ESA applications: Forms, documentation, follow-up
- • Launch first Dream Chaser Kids builder lab: 8-12 youth, 8-week cohort
- • Track success metrics: # of families successfully enrolled, value accessed, youth projects launched
- • Document 2-3 family stories: For reporting to funders and member church communications
- • Host celebration event: Showcase youth businesses, distribute ESA enrollment certificates
Investment: $3K-$5K (navigator time, DCK materials, celebration event)
Expected Output: 5-10 families accessing ESA funds (avg $5K each) = $25K-$50K channeled in first quarter. 8-12 youth engaged in DCK builder lab. Proof of ESA activation rate and youth engagement model tested. Outschool Community Partner Grant application ready for next cycle.
Access ESA application templates, Dream Chaser Kids curriculum, and Multiply setup guides
Ready to Build Your ESA Access Channel?
ESA channels are structural interventions—converting public education dollars into community wealth, employing church members as tutors, and activating empty church buildings as weekday learning hubs.