… and we LOVE them for it!”
Those words that you thought you’d never hear come from Sandy Petrie, director of the Noble County Public Library in Albion, IN. Here’s the story:
Several years ago, the community of Albion, Indiana identified a problem: Too few children were entering school with the experiences they needed to thrive. Community leaders used their passion and ingenuity to design a solution. Their idea was KiPS (Kindergarten Prep School), an intensive summer fun/learning opportunity that welcomed future students and removed barriers to participation. The library could host the event, and the money that it would take could come from the Dekko Foundation. (This was exactly the kind of thing they like to support.)
Yes … except for one thing. The year was 2008. Our grantmaking capability (like that of all foundations) is tied to stock market performance. In short, with the downturn in the market, there was precious little money for grants. And the money that was available was needed to support excellent ongoing programs and organizations. New initiatives were out of the question.
A declination from our foundation was not what they hoped for, but Albion’s intrepid leaders would not let their idea go away. They went out into their community and found bits and pieces of support–kind of like a patchwork quilt–to launch their idea. The school found money in its budget to transport children. Local businesses and individuals contributed goods and services. Service clubs chipped in small grants.
In 2014, KiPS enjoyed its sixth year of preparing little people for school success. The community still steps forward with the money, goods and service needed to offer the opportunity. KiPS has reached that holy grail of sustainability.
“If the Dekko Foundation would have made the grant that we applied for, we would never have gone to our community,” Petrie said. “We would never have built the buy-in that sustains us so well each year.”
Supporting programs and organizations without removing community buy-in is always a challenge. But we find that balance in the thoughts of Mr. Dekko, our founder, who wanted to ‘help communities help themselves.’
P.S. Since the stock market, and our grantmaking ability, has rebounded, we’ve made a small investment in KiPS. But they sustain each year on their own.
And the award goes to…
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Kimberly SSince it’s Oscar/Grammy/SAG/People’s Choice season, we decided to get in on the fun. Here are links to three of our favorite posts from 2014. These award winners received lots of your comments!
Doing it to youth, for youth or with youth?
Better than the lottery!
Mr. Dekko-ism
By the way, our blog doesn’t have a political agenda or try to sell anything. We simply use it as a way to talk to the subset of you, our grantees, who prefer their Dekko Foundation information with a little more detail.
We started our blog in 2014 (Who knew if this whole technology thing would catch on?). During the year we learned a lot about what you like to hear about and what you don’t really need/want to know.
We think it’s great when you comment on our posts. Blogging is our way of trying to let you know what we’re thinking. By commenting you complete an important feedback loop.
At the end of our comment section below there’s a place to subscribe to our blog. If you’re kind enough to do that, we promise we won’t cover you up with posts … usually just one per week.
Dear Santa, Please bring our grantees…
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithDear Santa,
Our grantees have been very good this year. They have worked hard and long to help children grow up happy, healthy and ready for economic freedom. If it would not be too much trouble, will you please put the following gifts underneath each of their organizational Christmas trees?
We have left cookies and milk by the Christmas trees Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. We’d love it if you can bring these gifts.
Sincerely,
The Dekko Foundation Staff
“The Dekko Foundation turned us down…
/2 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon Smith… and we LOVE them for it!”
Those words that you thought you’d never hear come from Sandy Petrie, director of the Noble County Public Library in Albion, IN. Here’s the story:
Several years ago, the community of Albion, Indiana identified a problem: Too few children were entering school with the experiences they needed to thrive. Community leaders used their passion and ingenuity to design a solution. Their idea was KiPS (Kindergarten Prep School), an intensive summer fun/learning opportunity that welcomed future students and removed barriers to participation. The library could host the event, and the money that it would take could come from the Dekko Foundation. (This was exactly the kind of thing they like to support.)
Yes … except for one thing. The year was 2008. Our grantmaking capability (like that of all foundations) is tied to stock market performance. In short, with the downturn in the market, there was precious little money for grants. And the money that was available was needed to support excellent ongoing programs and organizations. New initiatives were out of the question.
A declination from our foundation was not what they hoped for, but Albion’s intrepid leaders would not let their idea go away. They went out into their community and found bits and pieces of support–kind of like a patchwork quilt–to launch their idea. The school found money in its budget to transport children. Local businesses and individuals contributed goods and services. Service clubs chipped in small grants.
In 2014, KiPS enjoyed its sixth year of preparing little people for school success. The community still steps forward with the money, goods and service needed to offer the opportunity. KiPS has reached that holy grail of sustainability.
“If the Dekko Foundation would have made the grant that we applied for, we would never have gone to our community,” Petrie said. “We would never have built the buy-in that sustains us so well each year.”
Supporting programs and organizations without removing community buy-in is always a challenge. But we find that balance in the thoughts of Mr. Dekko, our founder, who wanted to ‘help communities help themselves.’
P.S. Since the stock market, and our grantmaking ability, has rebounded, we’ve made a small investment in KiPS. But they sustain each year on their own.
Better than the lottery!
/32 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithDekko Foundation Grants–Three things you should know
Call us to discuss an idea: 260-347-1278
Right in the sweet spot!
/6 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithThat’s where these proposals hit us!
Grantseeker, Betsy Pitchford, asked for a post about outstanding recent grants. There are so many, it’s hard to choose. Here goes.
We’d like you to notice, that in each of these grant arrangements, there’s an adult who’s stepped back to think about what children need to grow and develop. Our investments are really in these adults and their thought process!