Nonprofit Profile - Student Impact
A conversation with ed brittany delph
We recently talked with Brittany Delph, Executive Director of Student Impact (SI) of Westfield, IN. SI empowers 5th - 12th grade students through meaningful connections in a safe, consistent space where they grow in confidence and are equipped to lead.
In 2023, with Prosperity Ag’s support, SI received a $215,000 Lilly Endowment grant to assist in the organization's growth of capacity, programming, and capital improvements.
Prosperity: How has the Lilly grant helped Student Impact grow as an organization?
Brittany: The Lilly grant came at a pivotal time for SI, coinciding with a season of unprecedented growth. As demand for our programming increased and our reach within the community expanded, this grant allowed us to keep pace - both in physical capacity and programmatic excellence. The funding supported key capital improvements at the conclusion of our building expansion, which made it possible to welcome more students in a safe, functional, and inspiring environment. It also allowed us to scale our programming and staff capacity to better serve 5th - 12th grade students with consistency and depth. In short, the Lilly Foundation’s investment provided the necessary foundation for sustainable growth, positioning us to meet the needs of more youth with greater impact for years to come.
Prosperity: How has this grant helped SI serve its participants better and/or more effectively?
Brittany: The Lilly Endowment grant played a vital role in helping SI serve our participants more effectively during a time of significant growth. Allowing us to create intentional, dedicated spaces for different age groups, quiet areas for mentorship and wellness, and flexible environments for a wide range of programming. These physical improvements not only enhanced our operational efficiency but also created a stronger sense of safety, structure, and belonging for the students we serve.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant enabled us to grow our staff and volunteer base, expand programming hours, and strengthen internal systems that support our day-to-day work. This translated into more consistent and responsive programming, as well as the launch of new initiatives focused on student support, social-emotional development, and meaningful leadership opportunities.
In short, Lilly’s support didn’t just support our expansion - it allowed us to do so thoughtfully and sustainably. With this investment, SI deepened its ability to meet students where they are and serve them with greater intentionality, relational consistency, and care.
Prosperity: This was a fairly large grant. How has it been administering a grant of this size?
Brittany: Administering a grant of this size has been both a significant responsibility and a tremendous opportunity for growth. Shortly after submitting the grant - with the expert guidance of Prosperity - we knew their continued support would be essential. While a great deal of work goes into preparing a strong proposal, we quickly realized that the real work begins once the funds are received.
Prosperity: how has Prosperity helped you as the ED of Student Impact feel more confident in pursuing and managing grants moving forward? Has it affected your organization’s grant strategy? anything else to share about working with prosperity
Prosperity has been an invaluable partner in helping us build a strong foundation for grant work at Student Impact. Before working with them, we didn’t have a formal grant strategy in place. They came alongside us and helped transform a non-existent framework into a sustainable, well-rounded grant strategy that aligns with our mission and capacity.
As an Executive Director, having their expertise and support has not only increased my confidence in pursuing and managing grants but has also eased the burden that can often lead to burnout in this role. With Prosperity’s guidance, I’ve been able to shift from a reactive approach to a more strategic, long-term mindset when it comes to funding opportunities. Their partnership has strengthened our organizational capacity and positioned us to approach future grants with clarity, confidence, and a greater sense of sustainability.
Working with Prosperity has been a true partnership. They took time to understand our mission and helped us navigate every step - from identifying opportunities to writing strong proposals and aligning funding with our strategic goals. Their support has strengthened both our ability to secure funding and our internal capacity to manage it well. Thanks to their guidance, we have a solid, sustainable grant strategy that will benefit Student Impact long into the future.