My apologies to our blog followers for such a late entry in this week’s Grant Gazing. The observance of Martin Luther King Day and subsequent need to catch up on office tasks delayed my writing. The day off, however, gave me pause to think about the reason we honor Dr. King. In my personal life I have listened while good friends relate their unpleasant experiences with racial profiling. As a woman, I have had times where I have been dismissed simply on my gender. And in the media, (pretty much on a daily basis) I see the inequities and injustices that prevail in all walks of life.

I find my ray of hope when I visit my sons’ public school. I see children of all colors, backgrounds, sizes and abilities learning of a better future that can exist for them. I recall when my oldest was in his first grade class play. He was one of three students who had the privilege of portraying Dr. Martin Luther King at a particular stage in the Reverend’s amazing life. After four years, Alex can still give the speech he learned for that play because the words had such an impact on him. With this inspiration in mind, I am highlighting a funding source that supports the hope for a more peaceful and respectful world.

This Week’s Pick: Singing for Change (SFC) - Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
If you are an avid “Parrot Head” you already know that this well-known performer does much more than just sing. Jimmy Buffett’s Singing for Change is passionate about improving peoples’ lives and their communities. Their organization “offers competitive grants to progressive, community-based, nonprofit organizations that address the root causes of social and environmental problems.” Although their funding categories also include the Environment along with Children and Families, I would like to spotlight their support of Disenfranchised Groups. Under this focus area they look for proposals that:

1. Help people overcome social or economic barriers to education or employment
2. Promote the empowerment of individuals toward self-sufficiency, and provide opportunities for personal growth
3. Demonstrate human equality and encourage people to cross boundary lines to help others

Grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 are made annually. I noted organizations that received repeating grants for up to 6 years! SFC does not accept unsolicited requests so be sure to start with a letter of interest and follow the procedures on their website at http://www.margaritaville.com/SFC_interest.php.