Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: But God MInistries
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: BGM
Mailing Address: 118 Homestead Drive Suite D, Madison, MS 39110
City: Madison
State: MS
Postal Code: 39110
Main Phone: 16019831179
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.butgodministries.com
Employer ID Number: 45-3146771
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 1/31/2024
Requested Amount: $5000

Project Title: JFC Montessori
Project Description:

Our Montessori Preschool program aims to provide a quality education and unique early intervention opportunity for students enabling them to make the most of their education from K-12. Our school is in Jonestown, MS. Our program comprises a Learning Center for 2-year-old preschoolers and a Montessori program for 3,4- and 5-year-old preschoolers. The funds requested would be used to support purchasing a new reading readiness software to better track the progress of our students. A typical Montessori education costs between $12,000 to $17,000 a year, ensuring that few if any children in poverty could ever afford such a curriculum. Our program is funded 100% from foundations and was started 26+ years ago by a group of nuns. We took over the program in 2018. Our goal is to provide early educational opportunities to impoverished families that they could not otherwise have access to, to help these children reach their greatest potential, and change the cycle of poverty in Jonestown, MS.
Jonestown is located in the Mississippi Delta in the heart of Coahoma County and ranks last in the state of Mississippi in measures of welfare and education. Statistically, 59% of children under 18 live in poverty, and 70% grow up with a single mother. Only 68.8% of adults graduate from high school and only 8.8% have attained a 2-year college degree. Early education is key to changing these trends. The opportunity to immerse our students in language skill building from the time they are two until they leave to go to kindergarten is critical. Statistics show that 1 in 4 children who cannot read by the 3rd grade do not graduate by the time they are 19. Your support would make a difference in the lives of our students.

Total Project Budget: $268,091

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Phil Hardin Foundation – $25,000 – Confirmed Sisters of Charity of the BVM – $15,000 – Confirmed Ray and Kay Eckstein Trust – $25,000 – Confirmed Charles Frueauff Foundation – $50,000 – Confirmed Madison Charitable Foundation – $5,000 – Confirmed State of MS Food Grant – $25,718.38 – 2023 Food Grant Lucky Day Foundation – $25,000 – Confirmed Walker Family Foundation – $10,000 – Confirmed His Way – $30,000 – Confirmed The Katheryn B, McQuade Foundation – $25,000 -confirmed Community Foundation of NWMS – $5000 – confirmed

Project Duration: Project runs August – May every year
Geographical Area Served: Jonestown, MS
Age Group To Be Served: 2-5 years of age

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Dina
Contact Last Name: Ray
Contact Title: Director of Development
Contact Phone: 601-983-1179
Contact Email: dinaray@butgodministries.com