Financial Assistance

Opportunity Fund

Help that solves the problem, not just part of it.

The Opportunity Fund gives Compass families direct financial help when an unexpected cost threatens their stability. It's a grant, so there's nothing to pay back.

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A Pathways family
No repayment, ever
new this year

How much your family can receive

The Opportunity Fund is for families with a child currently enrolled at Compass Early Learning Center. Your yearly amount depends on whether you're also part of Your Path.

NEW

🧭 Your Path families

$1,200 per calendar year

Your Path families work one-on-one with a navigator toward long-term goals, so the fund can go further alongside that plan.

NEW

🏘️ Compass families

$500 per calendar year

Every family with a child enrolled at Compass can apply. Want access to more? Learn about joining Your Path.

Your amount resets every January 1. Not enrolled at Compass yet? Learn about enrollment.

real needs, fully met

What families have used it for

The fund covers the kinds of costs most safety-net programs (SNAP, childcare vouchers, Section 8) don't. Here are some of the ways it has helped.

  • Fixing the car that gets a parent to work

    A repair paid in full means no missed shifts and no missed pickups.

  • Closing a gap in rent or a mortgage

    When the Trustee can't help, the fund can cover the shortfall so the family stays put.

  • Keeping the lights and heat on

    Paying off a utility balance before a shutoff, not after.

  • Clearing a medical bill

    Taking a bill off the table before it turns into collections.

  • Books, classes & certifications

    Covering the cost of a course that leads to a better job.

  • A season of activities for a child

    Sports, lessons or camp fees, so kids get to just be kids.

Debt consolidation and other essential expenses can qualify too. Not sure about yours? Apply and we'll figure it out together.

why it works the way it does

We'd rather solve one problem completely than chip away at three.

A half-paid bill often comes right back next month. So whenever we can, we fund the thing that fully resolves the issue, so your family's stability isn't disrupted again by the same problem.

Finish the job

We look for requests where our help closes the issue for good: the whole repair, the full balance, the complete course fee.

Use every resource

For rent, mortgage and utilities, the Township Trustee is the community's first stop. Starting there means the Opportunity Fund can step in for what's left.

Build for the long run

The fund is for emergencies, not monthly income. For bigger goals, Your Path pairs you with a navigator, and gives you access to more each year.

for rent, mortgage & utilities

Start with the Township Trustee

For rent, mortgage and utility payments, you'll need to visit the Trustee and receive a denial before the Opportunity Fund can help. It's one extra step, and it opens the door.

  1. Visit your Township TrusteeAsk for help with your rent, mortgage or utility bill.
  2. Get their decisionIf the Trustee can't help, you'll receive a denial. Hang on to it.
  3. Apply with usApply in the Throughline app and our team takes it from there.

This step is only for rent, mortgage and utilities. For everything else (car repairs, medical bills, classes and more), you can apply right away.

how decisions are made

What we look at

Type of requestWhat the expense is and how it fits our guidelines
Level of needHow critical the help is to your family's stability right now
UrgencyHow time-sensitive it is, like a shutoff notice or an eviction date
Lasting impactWhether our help fully resolves the issue, and what happens if it goes unmet
common questions

Good to know

Do I need to visit the Trustee first?

For rent, mortgage and utility payments, yes. Visit your Township Trustee first. If they deny your request, you can then apply to the Opportunity Fund.

For anything else, like car repairs, medical bills or classes, you can apply right away.

My utilities are about to be shut off. Can Pathways help?

Very possibly. Shutoffs are exactly the kind of urgent situation the fund is here for. Head to the Trustee as soon as you can. Once you have their decision, apply in the app and our team will review it quickly.

How much can my family receive?

Your Path families can receive up to $1,200 per calendar year. All other Compass families can receive up to $500 per calendar year. Amounts reset each January 1.

Do I have to pay it back?

No. The Opportunity Fund is a personal grant. There's nothing to repay, ever.

Why are applications sometimes closed?

Funding is limited each month, and spots fill quickly. We wish we could help every applicant.

If applications are closed when you need help, reach out to our FRC team at frc@btownpathways.org. We can connect you with other resources, referrals and budget planning support.

Can I count on the fund every month?

The fund is built for emergencies rather than regular monthly income. Still, please apply any time a lack of funds will affect your family's health, safety or financial stability.

For longer-term support, Your Path pairs you with a navigator who helps you plan ahead.

ready when you are

You deserve support. Let's get started.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and our team is here to help Compass families through every step.

Apply in the Throughline app
New to the app? Open app.btownpathways.org in any browser, or follow the Android install guide.