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 Taylor Lynn Foundation has taken money and turned it into "microGRANTs" generally ranging from $100 to $500 per grant. Our Board feels that rather than granting monies to just a few individuals, we can spread the wealth; meaning your donation reaches many more children. The microGRANTs are intended to give children the opportunity to participate in an activity or function that they would not be able to otherwise. Just imagine a child that is not able to attend a school field trip because her family cannot afford the costs, or a child that cannot participate in his local community's sports program because his family lacks the means to pay the registration fees. With our microGRANTs, a child does not have to be left out. Our microGRANTs provide the fees to support the child's program. But the benefits don't stop there. When a child applies for the microGRANT, he or she is required to have a "sponsor" sign for them, as well as describe a plan to "pay" back the loan. We don't actually want the money back; rather, we want the child to make an effort to "Take a moment to give back," offering the child a unique opportunity to extend the goodwill to others, under the direction of their sponsor. See examples below: Some examples of qualifying microGRANTs:  Paying for sporting enrollment fees Paying for camp Paying for a dress for the prom Paying for new clothes for school Paying for a music / arts program or lessonsAn applicant’s sponsor might be: A parent, guardian or family member (grandparent, cousin etc) A teacher or mentor A neighbor A respected adultIdeas for "Taking a moment to give back" to repay the microGRANT include: Working for a day helping an elderly person do chores Volunteering at school for a few afternoons Helping out with another child at school Doing a few extra chores around the home Helping with a club or sporting team Working at a local farm Learning new skills while helping at a local businessRemember we are not looking for one-to-one payback. Rather, we want to help educate children that as we are helping them a little, that it is a good idea to help someone else a little. This is a way to help educate the children to "Pay it Forward." Success Stories Taylor Lynn Foundation is excited to be helping children through our microGRANT program. We would like to share a few of our success stories with you. The names of the children have been changed to protect their anonymity. April 2012 | Taylor Lynn Foundation delivered a microGRANT to O.M. Here's an update from a student from First Graduate that recently received a microGRANT from Taylor Lynn Foundation. O.M. is a student with First Graduate San Francisco. He wishes soon to declare a double major in Sociology and Spanish. He recently received a microGRANT from Taylor Lynn Foundation that has helped him achieve his goals of attending a college of his choice. An opportunity that is not possible for many students of similar background. O.M. Took a Moment to Give Back to his community by volunteering in an elementary school located in a low income community. He tutored children by helping them develop their English speaking and writing skills. He says “This experience brought me back to my childhood. I remember struggling and avoiding anything that had to do with learning this complex language. Having the same type of struggle as these students gave me a lot of patience and experience to help them.” In addition to his volunteer efforts, he also kept studies a priority and on his report card received a A in every class. Reflecting on his microGRANT he writes “without your help I think that it would be hard for many students as myself to attain a higher education and all the other opportunities that come along with it. Thank you.” O.M. we are so happy to hear of your achievements and learn of your tutoring experience. You are setting a great example to younger children that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible! April 2012 | Taylor Lynn Foundation delivered a microGRANT to K.W. We are very fortunate to be partnering with First Graduate and offering microGRANTs to students in need. Here’s one of their students who recently received a microGRANT..... K.W. is a student in a single-family household. He is also the first in his family who will attend college. Thanks to his microGRANT, he has been given the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities that would otherwise be a financial burden for his family. He is giving back to his community by helping other first-generation students through mentoring and tutoring at First Generation Student Link. He chose this organization because he felt that “foundations such as yours have been supporting me and in return for the kindness, it is my duty to help other first-generation students.” We are honored to support you K.W. and wish you all the best as you pursue your collegiate goals. February 2011 | Taylor Lynn Foundation delivered a microGRANT to Brad. Brad has spent most of his life in the foster care system. He is fortunate to have a sponsor from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marin County. Taylor Lynn Foundation made available a microGRANT enabling Brad to attend a children’s cooking class at a cooking school. Brad expressed interest in learning how to cook and we were able to provide him more exposure to satisfy his interest. In return, Brad wanted to pay back the grant by helping animals. Brad plans on putting together a bake sale to raise money for the Humane Society. December 2010 | Taylor Lynn Foundation delivered a microGRANT to Stephan. Stephan and his family were uprooted from their home during the financial crisis. Since then Stephan, his parents and two siblings have been living out in a motel. He has very few material possessions and his family is barely able to make ends meet. The microGRANT from Taylor Lynn Foundation made it possible for Stephan to buy school supplies and a new basketball to practice his favorite sport. Stephan plans to pay the microGRANT back by volunteering at the by volunteering his time at a food kitchen his family frequents. September 2010 | Taylor Lynn Foundation delivered a microGRANT to Vincent. Vincent has an incredible talent and passion for art. He lives with his grandmother in a small apartment. Recently his grandfather, who is unemployed, moved out of the apartment and took with him all of their possessions to sell for money. Vincent was left with nothing. His grandfather even sold what he loved most, his art supplies. Taylor Lynn Foundation was able to make available a microGRANT for Vincent to purchase new art supplies and a new easel. We are also pleased to say that the art store was kind enough to contribute additional funds to this microGRANT so Vincent could replace more of what was taken from him. Vincent plans to pay back the microGRANT by painting a special picture and donating to a local children’s hospital. Vincent told us that he wanted to do this “so that it’s helpful to other children….when they need to visit the hospital”. If we all just "Take a moment to give back"... what a better place we would have... |
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