OUR WHY
The health and safety of our youth is a fundamental responsibility. At every stage of development, interventions are needed to spark conversations about healthy and unhealthy choices, relationships, opportunities and consequences. In day to day interactions, in popular culture and the media, particularly as online screen time increases, bullying and cyberbullying rates are on the rise. When taking so much in, anger, hurt and fear can surface. This can have a rippling impact on self image, friendships, choices, and physical well being. While prevention is paramount, more opportunities and outlets with trusted sources are needed to express and process. Programs and role models help to explore hope and promise linked to navigating healthy pathways.
At the heart of it all is economic security, community development and social justice.
EXPANDING OUR IMPACT
Since our founding, The Ready Foundation has worked to strengthen communities through targeted grant-making in New York City. While New York remains our cornerstone, we proudly expanded to Nashville, Tennessee, in fall 2024 — extending our support to organizations driving change in education, health, and social equity.
OUR BROADER REACH ENABLES US TO:
Increase access to funding for grassroots organizations in New York and Nashville.
Partner with community leaders who understand local challenges.
Make a greater impact where resources drive meaningful change.
ADDRESSING POVERTY & DISCONNECTION
10.6%
Across the United States
1 in 10 Americans live below the federal poverty line
nearly 36 million people striving to make ends meet
18.2%
In New York City
The rate is even higher, reflecting deep inequality in one of the nation’s wealthiest cities
14.1%
In Nashville
Up to
About 11.9% of residents in Davidson County live in poverty, with broader city estimates reaching 14.1%
Sources: Census.gov | Community Service Society | City-Data | World Population Review
Disconnected Youth: A Shared Challenge
1 in 7 Young Americans ages 16-24 are neither in school nor working
4.17 M
Young Americans disconnected
and rising in 2024
THE COST OF DISCONNECTION
Median family income for those disconnected compared to those never disconnected
Median family income for those disconnected compared to those never disconnected
$78K
Never
disconnected
$44K
1 year
disconnected
$31K
2+ years
disconnected
NEW YORK CITY
108K
1 in 9 youth
5,830
1 in 7 youth
NASHVILLE
Would fill 3 major stadiums
Davidson County
WHO WE ARE
Providing resources and support to disconnected young people, adults and those who help them move forward is instrumental in effecting real change.
The Ready Foundation LLC (“The Ready Foundation”) provides funding and focused support to a small number of 501[c] [3] nonprofit organizations in New York and Nashville. Our investment is focused on improving the lives of underserved, overlooked, at-risk youth, adults and those who move them forward.
The goal of The Ready Foundation is to coach, fund, advocate and affect systemic change enabling more New Yorkers and Nashvillians to thrive. Ready stands for economic security, community development and social justice. At the core is health, safety and economic security. Some think it’s as simple as providing skills, access and a job. Through our experience, we've learned that it often requires far more.
The path to economic security and long-term health and happiness requires a comprehensive set of supports: health, mental health and other supportive services, education, training, mentoring, access to employment, re-employment and advancement. Strategies that take action and break down barriers will build capacity within our community.
We are thrilled to partner with nonprofit organizations aligned with our mission and dedicated to addressing this challenge.
PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS
Interventions that positively impact the health and safety of our youth as they develop. Navigating challenges, identifying healthy pathways and consequences, and exploring opportunities that can lead to meaningful lives.
Re-engagement support for dislocated students, workers and recent graduates is essential particularly during periods of economic recovery.
Preventative support for middle and high school students and young adults – career awareness and readiness; college retention, completion & transition to the workforce; job placement, retention and advancement from low-wage, part-time and/or gig employment.
Priority support is given to established, effective, highly utilized and programs poised for scale who support the individual and extend support to those who will help move them forward, whether directly or through partnerships.
FOUNDERS
The creators and doers behind The Ready Foundation are Bethany and Euan Menzies, founders and principals. Drawing from decades of experience working in the for-profit sector and with non-profits since 2012, they are committed to developing and advocating for at-risk and underserved groups in New York City and Nashville, and hopefully empowering them to create healthy lives and secure successful & fulfilling careers while living in two of the greatest cities in the world.