MG2010 RazooNIT: Ann Bancroft Foundation

Every single girl who applies for an Ann Bancroft Foundation Dare to Dream Micro Grant to explore an interest or develop a passion has her own unique story, and each story is worth telling. This March our story belongs to Madi, a girl from tiny the northern Minnesota village of Angle Inlet a town of under 200 and the only non-Alaskan town in the U.S. north of the 49^th parallel. When Madi applied for a micro grant to take piano lessons, she was a 6^th grader at Minnesota’s last one-room public school where students arrive by snowmobile, boat, or bus. (see http://www.yahooey.com/angleschool/ )

Madi’s mentor wrote, “Madi has only been able to take piano lessons sporadically because of financial reasons. There are 6 children in her family, with another on the way, so Madi has had to postpone many activities to help her younger siblings. I have taught for over 25 years, and have not met a more deserving girl. Knowing Madi and her heart, I have no question about her gift of music being shared.”

Madi applied for a $500 micro grant for 45 piano lessons! She wrote in her application, “I want to go to college and minor in music. I am also considering being a piano teacher. I hope to bring people joy with the piano music and I want to teach my five younger siblings how to play."

The judging committee voted unanimously to award the $500 grant to Madi, now a 7^th grader in Warroad, MN. To reach her new school Madi commutes by bus 1 ½ hours each way, crossing the US/Canadian border twice each way. Her piano lessons are in Warroad during the school day, and her mentor said, “Her grant purchased 45 piano lessons. She truly enjoys this special opportunity and is grateful for her Ann Bancroft Foundation award.”

For every month of the year, there are many stories as compelling as Madi’s: deserving girls who, through no fault of their own, have not had the opportunities to pursue a dream or develop their passion; and who, because of an Ann Bancroft Foundation Dare to Dream Micro Grant, begin to Reach, Explore, and Discover.

Your contribution to March Goodness will help provide more opportunities for these very deserving young women. And the more contributions we receive, the greater our chance of winning the competition and a cash prize! So please tell your friends--all contributions of $10 or more count towards the contest. Let's make our Spring 2010 Dare to Dream Micro Grant round our best ever! Each donation counts, and each dollar will go towards a Dare to Dream Micro Grant.

WE ALMOST WON. WE CAME IN 5TH--JUST ONE SPOT FROM BEING A WINNER. WE DID WIN, THOUGH, IN THE TRUE SENSE--WE RAISED A WHOOPING $2,980 IN THIS MARCH GOODNESS WEEK. THAT IS 3/5 OF OUR GOAL. WAY TO GO! YOU ARE ALL AMAZING--THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!