The Sharpening Project

Financial System
Overview

Built for Transparency, Stewardship, Scale, and Long-Term Integrity

Our Standard

"Every dollar strengthens discipleship,
expands mentorship, and glorifies Jesus."

This system protects the program legally, prepares for rapid growth, enables multi-church partnerships, and builds long-term financial credibility and trust.

Funding Structure — Multi-Stream Model

Stream A

Church Sponsorships

Partner churches adopt the program financially. Funds released seasonally or monthly.

Stream B

Private Donors

Parents, families, and supporters who give directly to the mission.

Stream C

Designated Gifts

Funds given specifically for events, materials, scholarships, or supplies.

Future Streams

Scalable Options

Merch / apparel, fundraising events, business partnerships, grant funding.

Budget Categories

01

Monthly Hangouts & Events

Snacks, drinks, rentals, equipment, devotion materials

02

1-on-1 Mentoring

Small snacks, inexpensive activities, basic materials

03

Admin & Operations

Printing, forms, software, data storage, safety materials

04

Emergency / Contingency

Weather relocation, urgent student needs, pastoral emergencies

05

Long-Term Growth Fund

Expansion, training new leaders, launching new chapters

Financial Workflow — The Four-Step Chain

1
Submit Request
Budget Request Form with amount, category, purpose, and date needed
2
Approval
Program Director → Head Advisor → (Church Admin if needed)
3
Purchase
Buy items. Save all receipts. Log relevant notes.
4
Upload
Upload receipt photo, short summary, and link if digital

Stewardship & Ethical Standards

No Personal Use of Funds

No spending for anything outside the mission. Period.

Transparency at All Times

If money is spent, it must be logged. No exceptions.

Prayerful Decisions

Stewardship is spiritual discipline, not just logistics.

Two-Person Integrity Rule

Every request, approval, and reimbursement must involve two leaders minimum.

Documentation Required

If it's not documented, it doesn't exist.

No Verbal Approvals

Everything must be written, logged, and approved in the system.

Financial Communication Flow

Mentors → Mentor Coordinator → Program Director → Head Advisor → Sponsor / Partner Church

Nothing is lost. Decisions are accountable. The church always stays informed. Growth scales to multi-site.

Safeguards & Prohibited Practices

Spending Caps

Maximum spend limits for mentors, coordinators, and directors. Amounts over $1,000 require additional approval.

Monthly Financial Reports

Program Director sends a summary to Head Advisor and sponsor church each month.

Annual Financial Review

Audit the dashboard, review receipts, evaluate spending patterns at year-end.

Prohibited Practices

  • Cash handouts to students
  • Unapproved reimbursements
  • Storing funds privately
  • Venmo/CashApp transfers without documentation

Stewardship is Worship

Every dollar entrusted to The Sharpening Project is a seed of faith placed into the spiritual formation of young men. We commit to stewarding every resource with excellence, integrity, transparency, accountability, prayer, and honor.

Because stewardship is worship — and every financial decision must glorify God.

Excellence Integrity Transparency Accountability Prayer Honor