Mission Statement

This is a space for us to discuss and perform the acquisition of uniforms for the Mt Zion drum line.

The big hairy audacious goal is to acquire dough for the uniforms. We believe this is best accomplished through a variety of means -- grants, fund raisers, and especially drum line performances -- which themselves are smaller, shorter-term objectives.

The model for this project can be delineated as such:

(1.) Distributing our energies to writing grants, setting up fundraisers, and supporting drum line performances/events with the long-term of

(2.) raising $6,000 to purchase drum line uniforms.

Cost

Estimated costs to outfit everyone is $10,000. In her email, Pat informed me that Mt. Zion has raised about $4,000 so far so they need an additional $6,000 specifically for uniforms.

Background

The grant money previously used to pay for the uniforms was from a police forfeiture grant from the city of St. Pete - it's available annually.

From Pat: "The drum line does perform and has been paid $2,000 for a performance - they are quite good. I know they have been trying to get the Rays to pay them for performances at ball games and continue to work on that effort. Any efforts related to performances have to be coordinated with the drum line leader[...]"

Contact Information

Deon Bryant -- drum line leader

Eric Ford -- the Youth Pastor at the church

(helps coordinate their efforts)

EMAIL: eford@mzprogressive.org

Possible Grant Ideas

• music related grants
• grants for African American youth
• leadership development grants
• prevention grants

Here's one:

Grant: Sparkplug Foundation – For a variety of programs, including music, education and teaching and grass-roots organizing.

Funder: Sparkplug Foundation.

Eligibility: Nonprofits.

Deadline: May 8.

Amount: Maximum grant is $5,000.

Contact: www.sparkplugfoundation.org.

Email Correspondence with Pat

Enjoy!

Sketches of Uniforms