Who blesses the child who was born to the street? - Holy Brooklyn Crown

These are the streets of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. For the last 4 years or so I have been working with a non-profit youth group. Given the distance, I now research prospective funders which was one of my roles while in the city. As I approach another mailing deadline I am seeing names of foundations I've contacted in the past. From their Park Avenue penthouses and Palm Beach homes, these board members may or may not decide that this is the year to help us out.
I have experiemented with many different approaches over the years. I have been extremely diplomatic about our plight, straight-forward about the needs, just plain emotional about the overwhelming obstacles these youth have to overcome. Still, we will mail out yet another 200 proposals. A few will send in their standard form letter. "We regret to inform you.......". Many will not even bother to respond. It is disheartening. My director is great & tells me not to take it so personally, but I do. I ask these board members, "When will YOU take it personally?" When, in 10 years, one of these kids is pointing a gun to your face? The school system is failing them and now I feel as if I am.