Empower ME Academy

SUCCESS STORY

Mentoring the next generation of leadership

23X

average return on contribution

1,400

people impacted

$5M

raised

5

organizational steps progressed

BACKGROUND

A vision takes root

Empower ME Academy (EMA) began as a solo effort by founder Jerome Gumbs to use sports as a vehicle for youth mentorship and leadership development in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Despite his ambition, Gumbs’s venture faced structural limitations as a for-profit entity, including barriers to fundraising, no formal board, and the absence of a permanent space.

Gumbs had a powerful vision, but realizing it at scale required both strategic and financial transformation. Enter PEF, who helped reimagine EMA’s foundational structure and unlock its full potential.

Groundwork for growth

PROCESS

The first step was converting EMA to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, opening the door to philanthropic support. PEF then built an entirely new fundraising infrastructure from the ground up, giving the team the tools, plans, training, and donor systems needed to sustain and grow their mission.

Cultivating infrastructure

PROCESS

At the same time, PEF helped establish EMA’s first board of directors, hand-picking individuals who aligned with the organization’s values and long-term goals. PEF also tackled the challenge of space, securing a home at the Palace of the Fine Arts while laying the groundwork for a future permanent facility in the Presidio. Then, PEF provided philanthropic leadership coaching, helping EMA’s team master the art of fundraising and strategic communication.

RESULTS

A legacy in bloom

The results were immediate and remarkable. From no prior philanthropic revenue, EMA raised

over $5 million

between 2020 and 2023, making PEF’s Return on Contribution more than

23 times over.

This has allowed EMA to expand their program offerings, working with more than

1,400 student leaders

of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, who then bring their skills back to their communities.

The transformation into a nonprofit, paired with a capable board and operational home, has given EMA the strong foundation and infrastructure for long-term sustainability. Today, EMA is a thriving organization and cornerstone in the Bay Area community with sustainable operations.

Thanks to visionary support and a deep partnership with PEF, EMA has evolved from a passion project into a philanthropic force, establishing a foundation for a lasting legacy of leadership and opportunity for generations to come.