By partnering with nonprofits, The Jachaly Project fuels and forwards access to care, education and opportunity.
The Jachaly Project, a family fund dedicated to fostering the growth of healthy, equitable and thriving communities through effective philanthropy, was launched in November of 2020. Prior to its inception, giving back was a future plan—something the family would do in retirement—explains President and Founder Katherine Blount. But 2020 came crashing in, ushering in the pandemic and the death of George Floyd, and injustice and inequality rose to the forefront of every conversation. Stark disparities in privilege, opportunity and resources brought a new sense of urgency, pushing the initiative to the front burner. “When COVID happened, we thought: ‘We can’t wait,’” says Katherine. “Why would we want to wait 10, 15 or 20 years to do something we can start doing now when the need is so great?”
The Jachaly Project was born.
WHERE MISSIONS MEET
The Jachaly Project is one arm of Jachaly, LLC, which aims to “improve the lives of people in the United States and throughout the developing world who are disadvantaged or have been denied access to sufficient care, education, income and opportunities.” Before incorporating, an intentional move to give its founders freedom in how they support organizations, Katherine did extensive research. “We looked for organizations that are doing the work we wish we could do—or we would want to do—if we had the time and the expertise and the experience,” she explains.
Katherine sought out nonprofits in her community, across the state, country and around the world whose work aligned with her passions—supporting children and women and addressing gaps in education, housing and health care. She explored the breadth of our programs and found that The Home touched on all these things and more.
SEEING AN UNSEEN POPULATION
The Home’s work with young adults aging out of foster care particularly resonated with Katherine. The notion that this “forgotten age group,” suddenly let go from care at age 18, is expected to navigate adulthood alone—finding housing, employment and continuing their education—struck a chord with the mother of three. “I was 18. I remember what that was like,” she says. “And I’ve had children that age; they weren’t ready to take on the world.”
Katherine had heard the statistics surrounding the homelessness problem facing young adults, particularly those who have aged out of foster care. “Housing is very expensive,” says Katherine with visible concern. “If you don’t have a well-paying job, first and last month’s rent or family to fall back on, you don’t have options. The data shows that when young adults can avoid homelessness, their chances for a healthy, successful future increase dramatically.” It became clear where The Jachaly Project would direct a donation, and a partnership bloomed from there.
FORGOTTEN NO MORE
While The Home’s 225-year legacy, growth and reputation inspired confidence, engaging with our organization and touring our sites gave Katherine a deeper understanding of our impact. She visited Liberty Village, our emergency home for young adults in crisis, and was affected by what she saw. “I thought, ‘Wow, they’ve got it right,’” says Katherine. “They aren’t just providing a roof and food, they’re providing counseling, job preparation and help with education goals. This isn’t some anonymous, impersonal shelter. This is a home where the young adults who live there are getting the help they need—whatever it is.”
Later, she toured Youth on Fire, our drop-in center in Harvard Square for youth experiencing homelessness, which would have closed if not for The Home. She was taken with the comfortable setting and by the group of high schoolers who came in to get warm, share a meal, and socialize with peers and staff alike. “They were all talking. You could tell they were happy to be there and that they felt safe and supported.”
Katherine saw that The Home wasn’t just doing the work; we were doing it well. She also heard firsthand from our young people. “They have goals. They want to finish their education, find a good job and become contributing members of society. That’s their ultimate goal,” she says. “Through no fault of their own, they’ve been denied help, mentorship and education. Now they’re playing catch-up, because they still have the same dreams that any young adult has.”
To help bring those dreams to fruition, The Jachaly Project pledged a transformative, three-year gift to support The Home’s young adult programs, sending a powerful message that the family fund is standing beside this “unaccompanied” age group.
‘TRUST’ PHILANTHROPY
“Their philanthropy represents the largest gift The Home has received from individual donors,” says Todd Tuney, Chief Development Officer. “All of us at The Home are deeply moved—not only by their extraordinary generosity, but by their belief in our work,” he continues. “The Jachaly Project’s donation is an investment in us as an organization. To make a three-year gift like this says that we don’t just believe in you today, we believe in where you’re going.”
As a former financial analyst, Katherine recognizes that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. You have to plan for the future. Any endeavor takes time to succeed, she explains. “We don’t give to an organization unless we feel that it will become a long-term giving relationship.”
“The Jachaly Project is thinking about philanthropy in a way that has tremendous impact,” Todd emphasizes. “They’re really moving the needle in making a better life for young people and setting them on a better path.”
When Katherine considers The Home’s growing programs for young adults aging out of foster care, she sees possibility. “Each residence represents a future for a young person who would otherwise face homelessness,” she says. “What’s a better investment than that?”
