Thornhill Rites of Passage Foundation

The Thornhill Rites of Passage Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by Attorney Wayne Thornhill and his wife Michelle. The foundation is dedicated to empowering young Black men by providing them with essential life skills and support to navigate social, economic, and developmental challenges.

Mission

The mission of the Thornhill Rites of Passage Foundation is to build the Core4: Character, Competence, Competitiveness, and Citizenship. This empowers young men of color to secure access to a future without limits by addressing unique cultural challenges.

Programs

The foundation offers several programs designed to provide a continuum of core skills and experiences for young men in grades 7-11. The primary programs include:

• The HūMan Rites of Passage Program (HūROP): A twelve-month curriculum targeting 7th-grade Black boys. The program is structured around monthly experiential sessions focusing on a holistic curriculum, engaged mentorship, and heritage. It culminates in a closing ceremony where participants deliver public speeches in multiple languages and receive blessings from their fathers.

• The Hūman Leadership Institute (HLI): Available to HūROP alumni and all young men in grades 8-9, this program enhances skills in wellness, money management, legal and civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and college preparedness. Participants engage in four sessions annually.

Participant Benefits

Participants in the programs experience a range of benefits, including:

• Increased confidence and new experiences
• Acquisition of life skills
• Formation of a lifelong brotherhood
• Expansion of social networks and social capital
• Development of positive racial identity

Outcomes and Achievements

To date, the foundation has supported over 40 young men in its programs. A notable achievement is that 100% of participants have mentors aligned with their career interests. Participants also earn seed capital for their career interests, with over $8,000 earned by some cohorts.

Financial Overview

As of recent financial reports, the organization has an annual revenue of approximately $51,200, with expenses around $38,300. Total assets are valued at over $80,400, with no reported liabilities.

Organizational Needs

The foundation seeks to expand its programmatic reach, enhance operational support, develop a technology platform for virtual offerings, and secure sponsorships for young men to participate in the programs. Specific funding needs include resources for laptops, program support, and offsite session essentials.

Funding Initiatives

The organization requires funding to effectively support its programs, including laptops for consistent engagement, program support for sustainable change, and resources for offsite sessions like college tours and culmination ceremonies.